Iowa high school girls’ basketball 2022-23: The Gazette’s preseason Super Ten

Iowa City West has a new coach in Nate Frese, but also has an experienced nucleus, and thus begin the new season atop the area rankings

Jeff Linder

Nov. 15, 2022 8:40 am, Updated: Nov. 15, 2022 9:37 am

Meena Tate (12) celebrates with her Iowa City West teammates after winning a close game against Iowa City High last year. The Trojans start the 2022-23 at No. 1 in The Gazette’s girls’ basketball Super Ten. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

The Gazette’s 2022-23 preseason area girls’ basketball Super Ten:

1. Iowa City West

2021-22 record: 19-4. MVC: 14-1 (T-1st, Valley Division).

2021-22 postseason: Class 5A regional finalist

Coach: Nate Frese (1st year, 0-0)

Returning starters (4): Meena Tate (sr., 15.0 ppg), Anna Prouty (sr., 10.8 ppg), Melae Lacy (jr., 6.5 ppg), Keiko Ono-Fullard (sr., 4.7 ppg)

Returning scoring percentage from 2021-22: 88.1

2. Cedar Rapids Xavier

2021-22 record: 20-6. MVC: 11-4 (3rd, Valley Division).

2021-22 postseason: Class 4A state champion

Coach: Tom Lilly (38th year, 598-275; 25th year at Xavier, 409-173)

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Returning starters (1): Libby Fandel (soph., 13.0 ppg)

Returning scoring percentage from 2021-22: 58.1

3. North Linn

2021-22 record: 23-3. Tri-Rivers West: 13-1 (T-1st).

2021-22 postseason: Class 1A state semifinalist

Coach: Brian Wheatley (19th year, 348-87)

Returning starters (4): Kamryn Kurt (jr., 17.7 ppg), Macy Boge (jr., 13.2 ppg), Molly Boge (soph., 9.3 ppg), Ellie Flanagan, (sr., 8.3 ppg)

Returning scoring percentage from 2021-22: 82.2

4. Benton Community

Record: 19-6. Wamac West: 9-3 (T-1st).

Postseason: Class 4A state qualifier

Coach: Jeff Zittergruen (5th year, 55-36)

Returning starters (4): Jenna Twedt (sr., 18.6 ppg), McKenna Kramer (jr., 10.0 ppg), Emma Townsley (jr., 7.0 ppg), Zoey Junge (jr., 4.4 ppg)

Returning scoring percentage from 2021-22: 90.7

5. Iowa City Liberty

Record: 12-11. MVC: 8-7 (5th, Valley Division).

Postseason: Class 5A regional semifinalist

Coach: Jamie Brandt (9th year, 76-97; 6th year at Liberty, 28-73)

Returning starters (5): Jasmine Barney (sr., 18.4 ppg), Avery Gaudet (sr., 7.9 ppg), Ava Meyer (sr., 7.4 ppg), Madeline Casey (soph., 6.8 ppg), Kennedy Daugherty (sr., 2.4 ppg)

Returning scoring percentage from 2021-22: 98.3

6. Linn-Mar

Record: 15-8. MVC: 10-5 (T-2nd, Mississippi Division).

Postseason: Class 5A regional finalist

Coach: Chad Tompkins (3rd full season, 29-22)

Returning starters (4): Taylor Brunson (sr., 13.6 ppg), Zoe Kennedy (sr., 12.0 ppg), Ellie Daubenmier (jr., 6.0 ppg), Tessa Casebolt (jr., 3.7 ppg)

Returning scoring percentage from 2021-22: 74.5

7. West Liberty

Record: 19-5. River Valley: 16-3 (2nd, South Division).

Postseason: Class 3A regional semifinalist

Coach: Courtney Joens (1st year, 0-0)

Returning starters (3): Finley Hall (sr., 12.7 ppg), Pearson Hall (soph., 7.0 ppg), Sophie Buysse (soph., 2.5 ppg)

Returning scoring percentage from 2021-22: 47.7, not including Iowa City High transfer Kelsey Joens (sr., 21.3 ppg)

8. Decorah

Record: 15-7. Northeast Iowa: 9-1 (T-1st).

Postseason: Class 3A regional semifinalist

Coach: Shannon Quandahl (7th year, 58-76)

Returning starters (5): Bryar Duwe (sr., 18.2 ppg), Yazmeen Whitsitt (jr., 17.0 ppg), Haley Gossman (sr., 8.2 ppg), Kylie O'Hara (sr., 6.2 ppg), Sami Mount (sr., 3.5 ppg)

Returning scoring percentage from 2021-22: 98.1

9. Vinton-Shellsburg

Record: 15-9. Wamac West: 7-5 (4th).

Postseason: Class 3A regional finalist

Coach: Rich Haisman (4th year, 45-25)

Returning starters (5): Alyssa Griffith (sr., 12.5 ppg), Sophia Kreutner (sr., 8.3 ppg), Ashlie Meyer (sr., 7.5 ppg), Abby Davis (sr., 6.9 ppg), Brylee Bruce (sr., 5.3 ppg)

Returning scoring percentage from 2021-22: 100.0

10. Center Point-Urbana

Record: 21-4. Wamac West: 9-3 (T-1st).

Postseason: Class 3A state qualifier

Coach: Philip Klett (17th year, 281-107; 15th year at CPU, 246-93)

Returning starters (4): Nicole Rick (sr., 7.7 ppg), Tayler Reaves (sr., 6.7 ppg), Ryanne Hansen (sr., 4.8 ppg), Addy Tupa (soph., 2.8 ppg)

Returning scoring percentage from 2021-22: 59.1

Area class rankings

Class 5A: 1. Iowa City West (19-4), 2. Iowa City Liberty (12-11), 3. Linn-Mar (15-8), 4. Cedar Rapids Kennedy (12-11), 5. Cedar Rapids Jefferson (6-16).

Class 4A: 1. Cedar Rapids Xavier (20-6), 2. Decorah (15-7), 3. Clear Creek Amana (16-7), 4. Marion (13-10), 5. West Delaware (10-13).

Class 3A: 1. Benton Community (19-6), 2. West Liberty (18-5), 3. Vinton-Shellsburg (15-9), 4. Center Point-Urbana (21-4), 5. Solon (15-8).

Class 2A: 1. Cascade (20-5), 2. Iowa City Regina (20-5), 3. West Branch (15-8), 4. East Buchanan (19-6), 5. Jesup (19-4).

Class 1A: 1. North Linn (23-3), 2. Elkader Central (19-5), 3. Montezuma (18-5), 4. Sigourney (12-12), 5. Springville (23-2).

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com