Four area girls make IPSWA All-State teams

 DES MOINES (March 10) -- Four area student-athletes have been recognized on the 2020 All-State Girls Basketball teams released Tuesday by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association.
 AHSTW senior Kinsey Scheffler and junior Kailey Jones were both named to the Class 2A Second Team after helping the Lady Vikes to a 20-4 record and the program’s first Western Iowa Conference title in 20 years.
 IKM-Manning senior Lexi Branning made the Class 2A Third Team as a center piece of the Wolves’ 17-6 campaign.
 Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton sophomore Macy Emgarten, meanwhile, was named to the Class 1A Third Team after leading the Spartans to a 21-2 season and a Rolling Valley Conference title.
 The IPSWA all-state teams were selected by a group of sports writers during their meeting on Saturday, March 7. In addition to choosing three teams per class, the group also named Dowling Catholic senior Caitlin Clark as the 2020 Miss Iowa Basketball.
Kinsey Scheffler - Scheffler finished her career with 1,089 points and a school record 710 rebounds as a four-year starter for the Lady Vikes. As a senior, she averaged 15.3 points and 9.0 rebounds per game, shooting 79.5 percent from the free throw line in 146 attempts. Scheffler, who could play almost any position if asked, hit 15 three-pointers and totaled 73 assists and 60 steals on the year. Her putback at the buzzer lifted AHSTW past Underwood in a 2A regional quarterfinal.
Kailey Jones - Jones led Class 2A with 12.6 rebounds per game while scoring a team-high 16.6 points a night for the Lady Vikes. The junior post’s return from an ankle injury proved vital in the team advancing to a Region 8 final where AHSTW was narrowly edged out by Logan-Magnolia for a state berth. Jones shot 59.4 percent from the field and 60 percent from the free throw line while hitting 10 threes. She added 36 assists, 37 steals and 11 blocked shots.
Lexi Branning - Branning finished her prep career with her best season yet, leading the Wolves with 15.8 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. Her rebounding total included 98 offensive boards. A 54 percent field goal shooter, Branning totaled 55 assists, 35 steals and 16 blocks. She will continue her hoops career at Des Moines Area Community College.
Macy Emgarten - A threat from inside as well as the three-point arc, Emgarten led the Spartans with averages of 15.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. She shot 42.5 percent overall and was even better from long range, making 70-of-156 treys (45 percent). Emgarten added 49 steals, blocked 18 shots and had 26 assists.