Kennedy climbs to No. 1

CEDAR RAPIDS — The Kennedy Cougars have climbed to a point that no Metro girls' basketball team has reached in nearly six years.

What does that mean?

'To me, it signifies that we've played well for two-thirds of a season,' Kennedy Coach Tony Vis said Thursday upon the news that the Cougars climbed to No. 1 in the Class 5A rankings by the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union.

'I don't think the kids get completely wrapped up in it, but it's a nice honor. It really is.'

Kennedy (13-1) replaces Johnston as the top 5A team after the Dragons were upset last week by Mason City. The Cougars have won 13 consecutive games following a season-opening loss at defending state champion Waukee.

The IGHSAU rankings underwent an overhaul Thursday, with four new No. 1 teams.

Two-time defending champion Harlan claimed the top spot in Class 4A, Pocahontas Area in 3A and Turkey Valley in 1A.

Turkey Valley (13-0) knocked off previous 1A No. 1 Springville, 49-42, Saturday at the U.S. Cellular Center.

With Lela Sellers away playing AAU ball for her North Tartan team and several others recovering from injuries, the Cougars had 'a rough summer,' according to Vis. 'But I knew that once we got all our pieces together and got them healthy, we could be a good team.'

A Liberty University signee, Sellers has worked her way firmly into legitimate conversation for Miss Iowa Basketball 2016. She is averaging 19.7 points and 8.6 rebounds per game, shooting 58 percent from the floor.

Sydney Hayden is among the state's top 3-point shooters and adds 12.8 points per game. Sophomore Hailey Dolphin scores at a 9.4-point clip.

Still, Vis believes there's another level the Cougars can attain, and must attain if they want to be playing in March.

'We don't defensive-rebound all that well. Our offensive execution can get better,' he said. 'We've practiced really well the last week or two; we've practiced better than we've played.'

The Cougars still have difficult regular-season tests remaining against Cedar Rapids Jefferson (twice), at Cedar Falls and at home against Iowa City West and Cedar Rapids Washington.

The last No. 1 ranking for a Metro team came Feb. 10, 2010, when Linn-Mar topped the 4A list. The Lions won the state championship behind Kiah Stokes that season.

Turkey Valley moves to the top behind a defense that has held seven opponents under 30 points. Junior Shelby Reicks averages 16.2 points, 6.6 assists and 5.3 steals per game.

The Trojans' toughest remaining regular-season game is Tuesday at home against Lansing Kee (10-1). Turkey Valley won the first matchup, 41-32, at Lansing on Dec. 11.

Class 5A

1. Cedar Rapids Kennedy (13-1)

2. Indianola (12-0)

3. Ankeny Centennial (9-2)

4. Waukee (9-2)

5. Johnston (8-3)

6. Iowa City High (10-1)

7. West Des Moines Dowling (8-3)

8. West Des Moines Valley (9-3)

9. Southeast Polk (9-2)

10. Davenport North (10-2)

11. Cedar Falls (10-1)

12. Linn-Mar (8-3)

13. Iowa City West (8-3)

14. Ames (7-4)

15. Pleasant Valley (9-3)

Class 4A

1. Harlan (10-1)

2. Western Dubuque (12-0)

3. Lewis Central (10-1)

4. Keokuk (9-1)

5. Mason City (6-6)

6. Ballard (11-1)

7. Marion (8-4)

8. Pella (9-2)

9. Fairfield (8-5)

10. North Scott (9-3)

11. Grinnell (10-3)

12. Waverly-Shell Rock (11-3)

13. Dallas Center-Grimes (9-3)

14. Boone (9-2)

15. DeWitt Central (9-3)

Class 3A

1. Pocahontas Area (10-0)

2. Center Point-Urbana (13-0)

3. Nevada (10-2)

4. Cherokee (11-0)

5. Sioux Center (10-1)

6. Union (12-1)

7. Spirit Lake (8-3)

8. Forest City (11-1)

9. Monticello (7-3)

10. Mount Vernon (8-4)

11. Cascade (8-3)

12. Hampton-Dumont (8-2)

13. Mid-Prairie (7-3)

14. Osage (9-3)

15. West Marshall (10-1)

Class 2A

1. Unity Christian (12-0)

2. Iowa City Regina (11-0)

3. Pekin (11-0)

4. West Branch (13-1)

5. Western Christian (7-2)

6. Okoboji (12-0)

7. Interstate 35 (12-1)

8. Manson-Northwest Webster (7-3)

9. Central Decatur (11-1)

10. Des Moines Christian (10-1)

11. Treynor (10-0)

12. Van Meter (11-2)

13. Lawton-Bronson (8-3)

14. Grundy Center (13-1)

15. Durant (9-5)

Class 1A

1. Turkey Valley (12-0)

2. Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton (12-0)

3. Springville (10-1)

4. Burlington Notre Dame (13-0)

5. Kingsley-Pierson (10-1)

6. Newell-Fonda (8-4)

7. Lansing Kee (10-1)

8. Grand View Christian (9-0)

9. Adair-Casey (12-1)

10. Lynnville-Sully (14-0)

11. Nodaway Valley (10-1)

12. Bedford (11-1)

13. Westwood (10-2)

14. Rockford (9-2)

15. Marcus MMC (10-0)

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