Top candidates: Lorenzen, Conaway

DES MOINES -- Haley Lorenzen should not be judged on her final game.

So says her coach, Bill McTaggart.

"She didn't have her best game today," said McTaggart, head coach at Iowa City High. "But she carried us so many games."

Sportswriters will convene in downtown Des Moines Saturday morning to choose the Iowa Newspaper Association all-state teams. Lorenzen is a top candidate for the biggest award, Miss Iowa Basketball 2014.

So is Alexis Conaway of MOC-Floyd Valley.Lorenzen is bound for the University of Florida. She averaged 21.5 points and 9.4 rebounds per game as the Little Hawks finished 24-1 and reached the Class 5A state semifinals.

She struggled Friday, though, shooting 3-of-14 from the field and 2-of-7 from the line in a 49-44 loss to West Des Moines Dowling.

Meanwhile, Conaway has made a big impression with potential voters during the week.

In the quarterfinals, she posted 21 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists and seven steals. Then, in the semifinals, she scored a state-tournament five-player record with 46 points in the Dutch's conquest of Mediapolis.

Conaway averages 22 points per game and shoots 64 percent from the floor.

MOC-Floyd Valley faces Unity Christian for the 3A championship Saturday night, after voting is complete.

Conaway will play volleyball at Iowa State and is a three-time state high jump champion, clearing 5 feet, 10 inches.

Only seniors are eligible for Miss Iowa Basketball consideration. The all-state teams will be released early next week.