Look ahead to 2012-13

[trackfan56]

The Cedar Rapids Gazette's Jeff Linder has taken a look ahead to next season with rankings for all five classes.

2012-13 rankings

 

[SEPRamFan]

I'll comment regarding Jeff's 5A rangkings (listed below)...

CLASS 5A 2011-12 W-L 2012 Postseason
1. Southeast Polk 24-2 4A state semifinalist
2. Mason City 21-3 4A state qualifier
3. Muscatine 19-4 4A regional finalist
4. Des Moines East 15-6 4A regional finalist
5. Waukee 19-6 4A state semifinalist
6. Iowa City High 17-7 4A state qualifier
7. Cedar Rapids Prairie 12-10 4A regional finalist
8. Ames 16-8 4A state qualifier
9. Iowa City West 25-1 4A state champion
10. Pleasant Valley 11-11 4A regional quarterfinalist

10 others to watch (in alphabetic order): Ankeny (22-4), Bettendorf (13-10), Cedar Falls (13-10), Cedar Rapids Jefferson (9-14), Cedar Rapids Kennedy (13-10), Cedar Rapids Washington (14-8), Dubuque Senior (10-13), Linn-Mar (10-12), Waterloo West (13-10), West Des Moines Valley (14-9).

For the most part I like his picks with the following exceptions:

4. Des Moines East - even though they return everyone on their roster, I just do not think they will improve enough to be rated this high. They'll get 10-12 wins versus metro conference teams (CIML realignment begins this fall) but Indianola could challenge them for the conference title. They'd be in my teams to watch list.

8. Ames - they lose 3 starters including 2 that accounted for more than 20 points a game. Best outside shooter graduates as well. They will have strong post play but I don't think that is enough to keep them in the top 10. Another team to watch.

9. Iowa City West - first of all, congrats to the state champs. Their best player returns but of the other 7 girls that played in that state championshlp game, all will have graduated. Four new faces will need to step up. Another team to watch.

West Des Moines Valley - they were a young but competive team last year starting 2 freshmen and a sophomore at the end of the season with numerous other freshmen and sophs seeing action. I'd make them my #10.

That leaves me with a top 10 with only 8 teams in it...

 

[thatiscorrect]

What are some of the schools throughout the state will be sharing sports for next year? Any that you have heard of??

 

[iamahawki]

Mason City should be tough, and Powell has a talented young team though maybe a year away. Depending on how WDM Valley's new coach comes in, they could be a factor. Unless Borrison sticks around SEP, they may drop a little in Jeff's rankings. His home is for sale as he has recently announced to the team, a parent of his is ill, and his wife has never really settled in the area. North Scott Eldrige has been mentioned behind closed doors.