Iowa City's best: Unveiling the top 15 Iowa high school girls basketball players in the area
As the curtain falls on the fall sports season, winter high school sports will soon take center stage in Iowa City.
The upcoming 2032-24 girls high school basketball season has many standouts looking to add to their already impressive resumes, while others look to emerge and make a name for themselves.
Here are 15 Iowa girls high school basketball players in the Iowa City-area to follow once the season tips off on Friday.
Players are listed in alphabetical order by last name.
Bliss Beck
Senior | Center/Forward | Clear Creek Amana
A multi-sport athlete, Bliss Beck showcased her athleticism in a big way on the basketball court last winter. She shot an exceptional 65.3% from the field, earning her the top ranking among all 4A athletes. She was Amana’s third-leading scorer in points (238) and second in rebounds (153).
Madeline Casey
Junior | Guard | Iowa City Liberty
Madeline Casey was the second-leading scorer for the Lightning a season ago and is primed for a breakout campaign in 2023-24. She's the lone returner who scored 50-plus field goals, with 183 points. Casey, who also had 52 rebounds and 13 steals, helped the Lightning reach the Class 5A Region 7 championship game last winter. They finished the season 14-9.
Alli Clark
Senior | Guard | Iowa City Regina
Alli Clark was a pivotal contributor to Regina’s offense and showcased efficiency with an impressive 52.8% field goal percentage. Along with her 379 points, Clark had 79 assists and grabbed 113 rebounds. Expect her to have a more impressive season during her senior year.
Tessa Driscoll
Sophomore | Guard | Iowa City High
During her freshman year, Tessa Driscoll made sure her teammates got involved. Her 60 assists were the most on her team. Outside of sharing the ball, she showcased her shooting ability by netting 229 points, solidifying herself as one of the team's dynamic playmakers.
Grace Fincham
Sophomore | Guard/Forward | Iowa City West
Despite starting in only seven games, Grace Fincham scored the third-most points (203) on the team. She emerged as one of the team's most precise shooters, concluding her freshman season with a respectable 50.3% field goal percentage and securing a spot in the top 20 among all 5A athletes. Given an expanded role, Fincham has the potential to become a more impactful player on a team that finished 16-7 and made an appearance in the Class 5A Region 4 championship game last winter.
Callie Levin
Senior | Guard | Solon
Ranking seventh in points (472) among all Class 3A players last season, Callie Levin solidified herself as one of the best bucket-getters in town. Not only was she a prolific scorer, but the University of Iowa commit was a triple-threat player who led the Spartans with 108 assists and 148 rebounds. The three-time all-stater led the Spartans to a 23-3 record and an appearance in the 3A semifinals.
Kobi Lietz
Junior | Guard | Solon
When it comes to versatility, Kobi Lietz is who you can rely on. Shooting a respectable 35% from behind the arc, she nailed 44 three-pointers in 2022-23. It just wasn't about scoring; she made sure to find open teammates with 73 assists. Defensively, she snatched 78 rebounds and 54 steals.
Ava Locklear
Senior | Forward/Center | Clear Creek Amana
A dominant presence on the court, Ava Locklear’s two-way ability made her a standout playmaker for the Clippers. Her defensive prowess, coupled with her scoring and passing ability, made her a matchup nightmare. Last season, she did a little bit of everything on the court. The two-time all-stater scored 318 points and 232 rebounds, averaging a double-double. She also led her team in assists (76) and blocks (45). Her impressive season earned her a commitment to Saginaw Valley State University.
Averie Lower
Sophomore | Forward/Guard | Clear Creek Amana
With only eight games in the starting rotation, Averie Lower made the most out of the opportunity she got as a freshman. She was the second-highest scorer on the Clippers with 258 points. It was an impressive freshman campaign for Lower, who shot 46.7% from the field and 41.1% from long range with 60 three-pointers.
Emmy McComas
Junior | Forward | Iowa City High
Emmy McComas excelled as a rebounding force for the Little Hawks. She grabbed a team-high 173 rebounds, earning her a top 20 spot among all 5A athletes. She also tallied 183 points, 46 assists and 40 steals.
Ella McLaughlin
Junior | Center/Forward | Iowa City Regina
With so much excitement for a Regina team that made it to the 2A state quarterfinals, Ella McLaughlin is slated for a bigger role as a junior. She made her presence felt in the paint, snatching 93 rebounds as a sophomore. With 151 points, McLaughlin also recorded 43 assists and 23 steals. She's poised to amp up her productivity this upcoming season.
Hailey Miller
Senior | Guard | Solon
The second member of the Spartans’ backcourt, Hailey Miller hit the 300-point mark right on the nose last season. Not only was she the second-leading scorer for the team, but she managed to make 114 buckets with a solid 43.3% from the field, showcasing her ability to put points on the board. It earned her a 3A third-team all-state nod.
Morgan Miller
Junior | Guard | Iowa City Regina
There was no sophomore slump for Morgan Miller, a 2023 second-team all-stater in Class 2A. She stepped up big during her second year as a Regal, earning the seventh spot in points (443) on 173 buckets among all 2A players. Her 52.3% field goal percentage ranked her in the top 20. She also snatched 122 rebounds and 78 steals, both team highs.
August "Augie" Palmer
Junior | Guard/Forward | Iowa City High
August Palmer's inaugural season with the City High Little Hawks did not disappoint. In her first season after transferring from West Branch, Palmer led her new squad in points (408) and steals (42), while shooting 42.7% from the field and 32% from behind the arc. Her points placed her within the top 15 rankings among Class 5A players.
Mia Stahle
Senior | Guard | Solon
Despite her 5-foor-3 stature, Mia Stahle was a contributor for a Spartans team that lost only three games last winter. She scored 174 points on 61 shots. Her 55 steals were the second most on the team.
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Top 15 Iowa high school girls basketball players around Iowa City
