Jeff Linder

State softball 2024: When Shannon Finn arrived, the Williamsburg program elevated. Along with Baylie Von Ahsen, Finn will make her fifth straight state appearance for the 3A defending-champion Raiders.

Capsules on the eight Gazette area teams that have qualified for the Iowa high school state softball tournament, plus predictions for each class.

Prep softball: Pairings for the 2024 Iowa high school state tournament.

Riley Redig’s three-run homer with two outs in the seventh inning sent Cedar Rapids Prairie past Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 3-2, and into the state softball tournament.

Iowa women’s basketball freshman Ava Heiden is fascinated by the state of Iowa’s thunderstorms — and fireworks. A 6-foot-4 post, Heiden headlines the Hawkeyes’ freshman class; she was ranked No. 42 nationally by ESPN.

A look at Tuesday’s 5A, 4A and 3A Iowa high school softball regional finals. Nine games involve area teams, including a Prairie-Kennedy matchup that guarantees the Metro a 5A state qualifier.

A look at Monday’s 2A and 1A Iowa high school softball regional finals. Edgewood-Colesburg seeks a state-tournament breakthrough, but must beat defending-champion North Linn to get there.

Bliss Beck of Clear Creek Amana is The Gazette’s 2024 Female Athlete of the Year. The school’s first recipient of the award, the Drake volleyball recruit was a four-sport athlete and helped lead the Clippers to the 4A girls’ state basketball championship

Two big moments in the seventh inning — Lily Knutson’s great escape and Cara Crock’s three-run home run — sent No. 7 Cedar Rapids Kennedy past Linn-Mar, 3-0, in a Class 5A regional softball semifinal.

Catching up with six WNBA players with Iowa ties, through games played Friday.

Here are five Gazette-area 5A, 4A and 3A Iowa high school softball regional-semifinal games to watch Saturday.

Lisbon’s ‘whole different team’ is on the brink of a seventh straight state softball tournament berth. Tied with Jesup after three innings, Lions break it open and win 12-1 in six innings.

Prep softball: The portal for 2024 area all-conference teams. Received so far: MVC Mississippi & Valley, Wamac East & West, River Valley North & South, Tri-Rivers East & West, Northeast Iowa, South Iowa Cedar, Upper Iowa, plus all-Metro.

Here are five Gazette area 2A and 1A Iowa high school softball regional-semifinal games to watch Friday.

Gracie Hoskins’ seventh-inning ground ball turned into a two-run error, and Center Point-Urbana outlasted Monticello, 4-3, in a Class 3A regional softball quarterfinal at the Bowers Sports Complex.