Top stars, best performances in Iowa high school girls basketball (Jan. 30-Feb. 4)

Some of last week's top Iowa prep girls basketball performances

By Barry Poe 

Here are some stars from the past week's high school girls basketball games across Iowa.

If you know of a top performance we should include, please let us know. 

Arianna Jackson, Des Moines Roosevelt

The senior scored 25 points and grabbed nine rebounds as the Roughriders turned back Mason City 63-58. Jackson, an Iowa State recruit, made 9 of 13 shots.

Elizabeth Puot, Des Moines North

Puto, a senior, had 19 points and eight rebounds for the Polar Bears in a 58-35 win over Des Moines Lincoln. It was North’s 16th win of the season.

Camille Kruse, Fort Madison

The senior charted a double-double with 23 points and 11 rebounds as the Bloodhounds downed Burlington Notre Dame 55-38. Kruse nearly had a triple-double, adding seven assists.

Kora Alesch, MMCRU

Alesch tossed in 29 points to go along with five rebounds and three steals, in the Royals’ 58-26 victory over South O’Brien. Five of Alesch’s 10 baskets were 3-pointers.

Bria Wasmund, Sibley-Ocheyedan

The senior had 21 points and 12 assists for the Generals in a 91-41 rout of Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn. Wasmund also had four rebounds and three steals.

Ava Eastlick, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont

The sophomore hit six 3-pointers and scored a game-high 22 points for the unbeaten Rockets in a 65-35 triumph over Centerville. She also handed out four assists.

Audrie Helmrichs, Edgewood-Colesburg

The junior missed just four times in 18 shots, scoring 29 points and pulling down a whopping 19 rebounds in the Vikings’ one-sided win over winless Starmont.

Ella Sharar, Iowa Falls-Alden

Sharar, a junior, poured in 39 points for the Cadets in a 70-38 win over Fort Dodge St. Edmond. Sharar, who also had nine rebounds and five steals, made 14 of 16 free throws.

Emmy McComas, Iowa City High

The sophomore hit for a double-double with 21 points and 17 rebounds in the Little Hawks’ 50-39 win over Dubuque Hempstead.

Journey Houston, Davenport North

Sophomore standout Houston finished with 19 points and nine rebounds as the Wildcats rolled past Clinton. Houston was 9-for-12 from the field and added four steals.

Bryar Duwe, Decorah

The senior had 21 points and six assists for the Vikings in a 71-23 win over Independence. Duwe, the all-time leading scorer in Decorah history, made four 3-pointers.

Izzy Curtis, Lenox

The sophomore was 9 of 10 from the field, scoring 20 points in a 65-41 victory over Lamoni. Curtis completed a double-double with 10 rebounds and also handed out four assists.

Liza Schaffer, North Polk

Schaffer finished with 16 points and eight rebounds for the Comets in a 53-29 win over Winterset. The senior was 7-for-11 from the floor.

Katy Ryerson, West Marshall

The senior had yet another double-double with 21 points and 14 rebounds as the Trojans won their 10th straight, 67-35 over PCM. Ryerson is one of the top all-around talents in the state.

Jerra Merchant, Spencer

Merchant, a senior, fired in 30 points for the 14-3 Tigers in a 62-47 victory over Storm Lake. Merchant nailed seven 3-pointers in eight tries.

Reagan Pagniano, Pleasant Vally

The sophomore stepped up big with four 3-pointers and 19 points for the Class 5A top-ranked Spartans in a 54-51 win over Davenport Assumption. Pleasant Valley moved to 19-0 with two regular season games remaining.

Haylee Stokes, Estherville-Lincoln Central

Stokes scored 25 points and dished out six assists as the top-ranked and defending state champions prepped for defense of their title with a 55-43 victory over Spirit Lake.

Sarah Burton, Highland

The junior matched her scoring output of 17 points with 17 rebounds in the Huskies’ 59-40 win over Columbus. Burton also had three steals and two blocked shots.

Emily Ter Wee, West Lyon

The senior had 21 points, seven rebounds and five assists as the Lions topped Boyden-Hull 64-44. Ter Wee made 9 of 13 shots.

Sydney Doeschoet, Kingsley-Pierson

The freshman tallied 26 points, five steals and four rebounds in a 73-62 win over West Monona in the semifinals of the Western Valley Conference tournament. Doeschoet then scored 21 points as the Panthers beat Westwood 38-31 for the tourney title.

Eva Steffensen, CAM

Steffensen had 19 points, 14 rebounds and six assists as the Cougars (14-6) closed the regular season with a 63-55 win over Glidden-Ralston.

Payton Petersen, Dike-New Hartford

The junior and Louisville volleyball recruit, had 24 points and six rebounds for the Class 2A top-ranked and defending champions in a 73-36 triumph over Aplington-Parkersburg. Teammates Ellary Knock and Jayden Petersen (her twin sister) each recorded double-doubles.

Audi Crooks, Algona Garrigan

As her brilliant high school career nears its conclusion, Crooks seems to be at her best. The Iowa State recruit exploded for 50 points and 24 rebounds in an 86-30 win over West Hancock for the Class 1A top-ranked and defending state champion Golden Bears.

Aaliyah Riley, Johnston

The junior came up with 21 points and four assists, leading the defending Class 5A state champion Dragons past Waukee 71-47.

Mya Bunkers, Remsen St. Mary’s

Bunkers, a junior, contributed 21 points, six rebounds and five assists as the Hawks kept pace with Unity Christian in the War Eagle Conference with a 69-34 win over Akron-Westfield.