Girls' basketball area Super 10

In honor of the first day of girls' basketball practice, here is a preseason area Super 10:

Basketball Super 10

AREA CLASS RANKINGS

1

Marion

2015-16: 20-5 overall, 13-1 Wamac West (T-1st), Class 4A state semifinalistLast year's march to the 4A final four may have been just the beginning. A spectacular junior class returns, led by Chloe Rice, Mia Laube and Caitlyn Smith. Rice, sophomore Maddie Knapp and freshman Kayba Laube give the Indians lots of punch from long distance. This program is built to last as a state power for at least two more years, and maybe longer.

2

Iowa City West

2015-16: 15-8 overall, 9-4 MVC (4th in Valley Division), Class 5A regional semifinalist

The top nine scorers return, and sources say West enjoyed a dynamite summer. Junior Rachael Saunders is a returning all-stater and has committed to Creighton. There wasn't a double-digit scorer last year, but five different players averaged at least 7 points per game, including Ali Tauchen, who returns after suffering a midseason knee injury last year.

3

Springville

2015-16: 26-1 overall, 12-0 Tri-Rivers West (1st), Class 1A state champion

The glory days are here and now for Springville. A runner-up finish in 2015, then the Orioles broke through on Alyssa Jaeger's two free throws at the end of last year's 1A final against Turkey Valley. Jaeger is part of a junior class led by quick-handed guard Rylee Menster and post Mikayla Nachazel, who give the Orioles as good a 1-2 punch as anybody around, in any class.

4

Turkey Valley

2015-16 26-1 overall, 15-0 Upper Iowa (1st in Small Division), Class 1A state runner-up

The Trojans split with Springville last season, winning at Rivalry Saturday and falling a point short in the state-championship game. They lost some of their depth, but their nucleus is intact, led by senior Shelby Reicks, who can fill every column of a stat sheet. Emily Busta is an outside threat. Trojans will be pushed by Lansing Kee in the UIC Small Division.

5

Iowa City High

2015-16: 19-4 overall, 11-2 MVC (1st in Valley Division), Class 5A regional finalist

Simply said, girls' basketball is going to be very good in Iowa City. The Little Hawks return Ashley Joens, who may average a double-double, and is one of the shiniest jewels in a Class of 2018 that's loaded statewide. Kenya Earl is a force near the basket, and is one of the state's premier free-throw shooters. Depth always seems to be an issue, but this duo could carry City a long way.

6

Iowa City Regina

2015-16: 25-1 overall, 18-0 River Valley (1st in South Division), Class 2A state semifinalist

Without a doubt, Regina was the most interesting area team in the offseason. The Regals have a new coach (Jeff Wallace succeeds Matt Bolger, now an assistant at Missouri State) and a new face (Alex Wiese transferred from Tipton). The Regals would have been the preseason No. 1 team in 2A even before Wiese's arrival. Now, she further adds to a loaded roster led by junior Mary Crompton, a returning first-team all-stater. This is a heavy favorite to win its ninth straight league title.

7

Linn-Mar

2015-16: 20-5 overall, 11-2 MVC (2nd in Valley Division), Class 5A state semifinalist

With Amanda Ollinger off to the University of Iowa, the Lions become a perimeter-oriented crew behind juniors Kamryn Finley and Megan Murphy. Finley is a slasher, while Murphy can torture a zone defense. If an inside presence emerges, the Lions figure to remain among the top reaches of the MVC.

8

Center Point-Urbana

2015-16: 24-2 overall, 13-1 Wamac West (T-1st), Class 3A state semifinalist

Arika Wooldridge has moved on to Winona State, but don't expect the Stormin' Pointers to take much of a step backward. Younger sister Allison Wooldridge headlines a very good cast of juniors. A good season could vault CPU back into the state-championship discussion in 2017-18.

9

Union

2015-16: 20-3 overall, 15-1 NICL East (1st), Class 3A regional semifinalist

Last year ended prematurely, but all the main pieces are seniors now. Union lost a grand total of four points to graduation. Several key components, like Maggie Driscol and Peyton Parker, have been key components in the Knights' massive success in volleyball.

10

Cedar Rapids Jefferson

2015-16: 9-13 overall, 6-7 MVC (5th in Valley Division), Class 5A regional semifinalist.

After enduring six consecutive losing seasons, the time is now for the J-Hawks to climb. This is a veteran club now; the top four scorers return from last season, and all are seniors. Kennedy Dighton leads the charge at 13.9 points per game. There's no reason for this team not to make a push for a divisional title and a state-tournament berth.

Class 5A — 1. Iowa City West (15-8), 2. Iowa City High (19-4), 3. Linn-Mar (20-5), 4. C.R. Jefferson (9-13), 5. C.R. Washington (15-8).

Class 4A — 1. Marion (20-5), 2. C.R. Xavier (10-13), 3. Clear Creek Amana (8-14), 4. Western Dubuque (24-1), 5. Benton Community (12-10).

Class 3A — 1. Center Point-Urbana (24-2), 2. Union (20-3), 3. Mount Vernon (16-9), 4. Mid-Prairie (16-9), 5. Monticello (17-6).

Class 2A — 1. Iowa City Regina (25-1), 2. Montezuma (22-2), 3. North Linn (20-4), 4. Clayton Ridge (12-10), 5. Maquoketa Valley (16-6).

Class 1A — 1. Springville (26-1), 2. Turkey Valley (26-1), 3. Lansing Kee (22-3), 4. Lone Tree (15-8), 5. Belle Plaine (14-8).

l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@thegazette.com