Paul Bullock, Oakland Riverside High School
Paul has been a successful coach for many years at Waukee and at Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln before taking the program at Riverside. The Riverside program has traditionally been down, but Paul has turned it around and has achieved a level of performance on a consistant basis. The team was runner-up to state power Treynor in the conference tournament and will also be runner-up for the regular season title.

--Nominated by: Allen Stuart, Essex Girls Basketball Coach

Kevin Mills, Lawton-Bronson

Kevin has completed his 7th season as the Head Girls' Basketball Coach at Lawton-Bronson. The girls basketball program has produced successful and winning seasons the last 4 years. The past 4 seasons he has posted a record of 68-22. This year Coach Mills led the team in a successful post-season tournament run, which includes being district champs, regional champs and earning a state tournament berth. This was the first state trip for the girls' basketball team in school history.

--Nominated by: Lisa Ehlers, Lawton-Bronson assistant coach

Ryan Berg, Storm Lake St. Mary's High School
St. Mary's had not had a winning season in the program since 1985. In Ryan's 4th season, they turned things around and won 14 games, which was a school record. Last year after rebounding from heavy graduation loss they broke the school record for wins again going 16-7. They also participate in a Catholic School Tournament every year and St. Mary's has won it three years in a row.

--Nominated by the I.G.C.A.

Matt Bolger, Iowa Valley High School
In his first season as head coach in 2004, Iowa Valley had a 1-21 record, but they started to build the foundation for success. The next year they took another step forward and went 5-17. This year, they are currently 15-4 and tied for second place in their conference. In just three years the program at Iowa Valley has changed. With the addition of youth summer camps and open gym, the excitement for Iowa Valley basketball is back.

--Nominated by: I.G.C.A.

Wayne Slack, Clarksville High School
Coach Slack has been the girls basketball coach for the past two seasons. In those two seasons, the girls have won 23 games and played with a desire not seen here very often. When Coach Slack asked me to become part of his staff I felt overjoyed. He brought out the best in me as a coach. I believe if you ask any of the girls they will tell you that he can be challenging, but fair. I still have some things to learn about coaching, but I have a great role model to follow.

--Nominated by: Matthew Finley, Clarksville Assistant Girls Basketball Coach

Jay Freese, GMG-Garwin Head Girls Coach
After taking over the program at GMG three years ago, the Wolverines have improved in every way. They have won over 40 games and play with great desire and confidence. Coach Freese has instilled a work ethic into his talented athletes and they enjoy playing the game for him. With a good number of players back they will be a strong force in in the Iowa Star Conference.

--Nominated By Virgil Hovden, Dunkerton Girls Basketball Coach

PLAYERS

Megan Harris, Clarksville
Megan was a co-captain of this years team. After being a starter her junior season, she was asked to take on a role of a reserve this year. Megan accepted her role and dedicated herself to making the team better. She has a heart that will not quit. Sometimes we would like to have all of our players play with her desire. Megan always did things with a smile on her face and will be greatly missed next year.

--Nominated By: Matthew Finley, Clarksville Assistant Girls Coach

Emily Larsen, Benton Community High School
In the classroom and on the basketball court, Emily Larsen has proven herself to be student who deserves every ounce of playing time she has had this season. Emily will not be all-state, all-district, or even all-conference, but her importance to our team was absolutely essential to our success. Emily was the leader of the team who always made everyone feel welcome. Emily is a student who does not settle for what others think is acceptable; she works until she pleases herself. She sets high standards and expects herself to achieve them.

--Nominated by: Laurie K. Donald, Benton Community Girls Basketball Coach

Leanna Nelson, Burlington High School
Leanna has played basketball in our program since 7th grade. Just after Christmas this season, Leanna hurt her right knee and it looked as if she was finished playing. Leanna worked hard to get her knee strong enough to see some action in our last three games and was a key player in our 2nd place finish in the MAC conference.

Leanna is an excellent student and also participates in varsity volleyball, tennis and softball. Leanna finds time in her schedule to volunteer with the local civic organizations, she is also in the top ten percent of her class, and has sung the National Anthem before many of our home games.

--Nominated by: Mark Miller, Burlington Girls Basketball Coach

Tiffany Von Ahsen, Williamsburg High School
As a child, Tiffany contracted a flesh eating bacteria that ended up destroying about half of the muscle in her right leg. This did not slow her down in her athletic career at all. I have had the pleasure of being her head coach for four years, first with the junior varsity team and now with the varsity squad. Tiffany is a 5'6" post player and makes up for her lack of size by her willingness to work hard and play smart. She has started every game her senior year. This year she was voted as one of our captains by her teammates and has played a lead role in teaching our young team what it takes to be successful.

--Nominated by: Aaron Feddersen, Williamsburg Girls Basketball Coach

Ashley Brown, Harlan High School
Ashley tore her ACL this summer playing soccer and had surgery in July. She was able to start practicing with us at the first of November. Ashley averaged close to 11ppg and is the big reason for our success this season.

--Nominated by Tony Vis, Harlan Girls Basketball Coach

Cala Westergard, Charles City High School
Cala, a 6'3" junior, tore her ACL in August. After working hard at rehabilitation, she returned in 5 months. She was very supportive of her teammates and has returned to her old self. She is an excellent student and role model.

--Nominated by: Thad Hoover, Charles City Girls Basketball Coach

Tonya Davis Iowa Valley High School
Tonya has been a true leader for us the past three years she has been on the varsity team. If there was a statistical category of hitting the floor, Tonya would be the conference leader by far! Through hard work and determination, Tonya has gone from an athlete playing basketball to an athletic basketball player. Her unselfish attitude and great work ethic have made her the perfect role model for her teammates.

--Nominated by: Matt Bolger, Iowa Valley Girls Basketball Coach

Ashley Newman, Iowa Valley High School
Ashley has never missed a summer workout in the last three years as a varsity team member. In addition, she has shown her dedication by coming to practice through injuries and even after getting her wisdon teeth removed. Because of her persisitence, she has gone from a role player on our team to a very solid, contributing member. Her positive attitude and great personality make her a very well-liked and well-respected member of our team.

--Nominated by: Matt Bolger, Iowa Valley Girls Basketball Coach

Jill Goodrich, Iowa City West High School
Jill was all-conference last year and has started for us since she was a freshman. This year, in her fourth game, she tore her ACL and has missed the entire season. She will also miss her senior year of soccer in which she is an outstanding performer. Jill has handled this devastating situation with an unbelievable attitude and with great appreciation for her teammates. Not only has she worked hard in rehab, but she has become a great addition to our coaching staff. She is a very vocal, supportive leader from the bench for our team particularly by helping the coaches get a better perspective of what the kids are seeing on the court. She has especially helped our sophomore starting post who has filled Jill's role on the floor. Jill has been as important as anybody to our success this season.

--Nominated by : Mark McDermott Iowa City West Girls Basketball Coach

Shayla Weston, Moulton-Udell High School

Shayla stepped into a starting role this year and took over our point guard duties. She did a great job of directing our team, showing excellent leadership skills for a sophomore. Shayla also broke the single season assist record and led our team in steals.

--Nominated by Jason Ogden, Moulton-Udell Girls Basketball Coach

Whitney Harris, Moulton-Udell High School

Whitney was our first person off the bench most of the year. She would give us an offensive lift and great shooting. Whitney had battled back from an ACL tear a couple years ago and finally regained her form this year.

--Nominated by Jason Ogden, Moulton-Udell Girls Basketball Coach

Jenna Grimm , West Central of Maynard High School

Jenna is a three year starter. She understands the game very well and makes quick decisions regarding the offense and defense. Keeping the team organized and always thinking ahead and being a real "coach" on the floor. She does not receive all the attention but does the little things that allows us to be successful.

--Nominated by: Steve Crawford, West Central Maynard Girls Basketball Coach

Rebecca Maeder , Orient-Macksburg High School

Rebecca is an all around student/athlete, competing in cross country, volleyball, basketball, track, and softball. She is also active in yearbook, speech, FFA, and is a member of the National Honor Society. Rebecca comes off the bench in basketball and has played a vital role in helping the team set the school record for wins. She is the first at all practices and very repected by her teammates. She has not been selected all-conference in her activities, but she plays a major role in many of the activites at Orient-Macksburg.

--Nominated by: Dan McKinney, Orient Macksburg Girls Basketball Coach

Emily Pritchard, West Hancock High School

Emily suffered an ACL tear in her first varsity game as a sophomore and missed the entire season. She successfully rehabilitated the injury and entered her senior season determined to be the point guard and leader, only to suffer another season ending knee injury halfway through the season. Even though she was unable to play she remained one of the team's leaders encouraging her teammates from the bench. She has displayed great leadership on and off the court.

--Nominated by: Kevin Wilson, West Hancock Girls Basketball Coach

Mary Jo DeBoer, West Hancock High School

Mary Jo suffered season ending ankle injuries both her sophomore and junior seasons. She twice underwent difficult rehabilitation after surgery and was determined to come back and complete her senior season. She displayed great determination and character to her teammates and coaches. She entered her senior year with a "whatever I can do to help the team attitude", whether it be starting or coming off the bench. She may not lead our team in any statistical category but she stands alone in character, trustworthiness, responsibility, caring and citizenship.

--Nominated by: Kevin Wilson, West Hancock Girls Basketball Coach