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Getting to Know You: Valley Tigers

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Frank Sinatra once sung about having “High Hopes”. It was used as a campaign song for John F. Kennedy’s successful presidential campaign in 1960.

“Very high hopes” is what Joe Sigrist describes the upcoming season for his Valley Tigers’ girls basketball squad.

Coming off a record-setting 2013-14 year, the Tigers welcome back three returning starters (seniors Grace VanderWeide and Whitney Fuller, and sophomore Hannah Fuller) and three more letterwinners in Emily Smith, Courtney Carr and Lexi Merritt. VanderWeide is an excellent All-Stater who is unafraid of making the big plays in games that matter. Merritt, a junior guard, is regarded by Sigrist as a sharp shooter that can help stretch opponents’ defenses.

Valley will be looking for depth from their sophomore class to solidify their bench.

The Tigers are ranked 4th in the IGHSAU preseason Class 5A poll.

 

West Des Moines Valley Tigers

2013-14 Record (overall, conference): 22-2, 5-1

Class, Conference: 5A, CIC – Western Division

Head Coach:  Joe Sigrist, 4th season, 69-34 overall (36-9 in 2 yrs at Valley)

Assistant Coaches: Chris Larson, Kelli Morgan, and Molly McClelland

Returning players and positions: Grace VanderWeide (G), Hannah Fuller (G), Whitney Fuller (G, Lexi Merritt (G), Emily Smith, Courtney Carr

Newcomers: Mackenzie Ward, Casey Carr, Leah Lodermeier, Jadyn Loecke, Jamie Feldt

Players lost to graduation:  Madi Agey, Kasey Feldt, Taylor Steil

Key games on schedule:  Dowling (2), Johnston (2), Waukee, SE Polk, Ankeny Centennial, Iowa City West

Team Goals:  Repeat as CIC Conference Champs and win the 5A State Title

Interesting story lines:  VanderWeide committed to continue her playing career at Missouri State. She is the first Valley GBB player in sometime to play for a Division I school, according to Sigrist. Last season was Valley’s first trip to the state tournament since 2007 (10th appearance overall)

Follow on social media: @ValleyGirlsBB (Twitter)

 

Getting to Know You: Hoover Huskies

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The Hoover Huskies may have went 9-12 last season, but looks are deceiving. That is because they went 8-3 in the CIC-Metro Conference. Hoover looks to improve and give city rivals Des Moines East and Roosevelt a challenge in the Metro. After graduations to Mikayla Larson and Malaysia Duncan, coach Jason Karadios will look to returning players like Nyachristmas Puok to help the Huskies on the front court.

Is it the Huskies’ year to win the Metro Conference?

Des Moines Hoover Huskies

2013-14 Record (overall, conference): 10-12, 9-3

Class, Conference: 4A, CIC (Metro Conference)

Head Coach: Jason Karaidos, 3rd year (30-37 overall, all @ Hoover)

Assistants: Will Siffin, Jim Petersen, Rachel Chapman, Tristan Maxey

Returning starters/letterwrinners: Nyachristmas Puok (F), Brianna Hale (G), Olivia Evans (P), Emily Hestbech (P)

Newcomers: Madisen Blackford, Hannah Blackford, Hannah Broshar, Drea Turner

Players lost to graduation: Mikayla Larson, Malaysia Duncan, Artorria Jung, Lauren Provost (transferred)… All four were starters

Key Games on schedule: Roosevelt, Perry, and all CIC conference games

Team Goals: Improve each game and gain experience, gain confidence

Interesting storylines: Hoover’s last state tournament appearance was in 2004 (4 overall appearances). The Huskies were runner-ups in the six-player title game in 1983.

Follow them on Social Media: @HooverHuskies (Twitter)

 

The 2014 Girls’ Basketball Preview

Sneakers, gyms, nets, and basketball. Hoops season is back. (Maxpreps)

Sneakers, gyms, nets, and basketball. Hoops season is back. (Maxpreps)

The winter sports season is upon us, and that means the start of girls’ and boys’ basketball across the state of Iowa.

As a prelude, CISN will roll out our team preview capsules (better known as “Getting to Know You”) of the teams in the Central Iowa Conference (CIC) that we will be following and covering this winter.

This week, we will start with the girls’, since they start their season on Friday.

Can Dowling Catholic go back-to-back and win their 2nd 5A girls title, or will Southeast Polk get their second title in three years? Does Valley, Des Moines East, and Ames have what it takes to take the crown? Will Hoover and Roosevelt get over the hump and make their return to State?

Or is there a dark horse team that could make a splash?

We’ll find out to all of those answers as the curtain rises for the ’14-’15 season.

We’ll have our first look at several teams starting Tuesday afternoon.