G-R’s Kennedy Brant selected to IPSWA all-state squad
First all-state selection for Rebels in 18 years

Gladbrook-Reinbeck’s Kennedy Brant (14) shoots over a pair of Lynnville-Sully defenders during their Class 1A regional final basketball game on Feb. 26 at Nevada High School. SUN COURIER FILE PHOTO
DES MOINES — Kennedy Brant of Gladbrook-Reinbeck helped lead her team to the girls’ state basketball tournament this winter, and was rewarded for it appropriately.
The Iowa Print Sports Writers Association recently named Brant to the Class 1A first team in a vote of statewide media and coaches, honoring the junior student-athlete for her propulsion of the Rebels to Wells Fargo Arena.
Brant helped guide Gladbrook-Reinbeck to its first and only other state tournament appearance since 1994, leading the Rebels in every major statistical category this season. G-R finished with a 21-4 overall record after falling to North Linn in the state quarterfinals, and a 7-1 record in the NICL West Division gained G-R a conference title.
Brant becomes G-R’s first all-state selection since Allison Volkens was a two-time first-team selection in 2006 and 2007.
A 6-foot forward, Brant averaged 17.0 points, 12.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.1 blocks and 2.4 steals per game in earning all-North Central District honors in 1A and the NICL West’s Outstanding Player award. She ranked 19th in 1A in scoring, 10th in rebounding and 16th in blocked shots. Her 55.1 field-goal percentage ranked ninth in the class as well.
Brant posted double-doubles in 20 of G-R’s 25 games this season, including all four postseason contests.
Libby Fandel of Cedar Rapids Xavier was named Miss Iowa Basketball after leading the Saints to the Class 4A state title. Fandel, a 6-foot guard, was the captain of the 4A all-tournament team after accumulating 94 points and 53 rebounds — both 4A records — in Xavier’s run to its second title in four years.
Fandel finished her prep career with 1,995 points and will continue playing next season at the University of Kansas.
Iowa Print Sports Writers Association All-State Girls Basketball Class 1A Team
FIRST TEAM
Rowan Jacobi, Springville, jr.; Molly Boge, North Linn, sr.; Avah Underwood, Council Bluffs St. Albert, jr.; Kinzee Hinders, Newell-Fonda, sr.; Graclyn Eastman, Bishop Garrigan, so.; Kennedy Brant, Gladbrook-Reinbeck, jr.; Charlie Pryor, Woodbine, sr.; Ainsley Ulrich, North Union, so.
SECOND TEAM
Laynee Hogan, East Buchanan, sr.; Paige Kampman, Clarksville, jr.; Kamryn Fink, Highland, fr.; Maura Ryan, Council Bluffs St. Albert, so.; Emie Tuhn, Baxter, sr.; Ellen Cook, Montezuma, sr.; Ellie Sievers, Newell-Fonda, fr.; Izzy Gilbertson, Mount Ayr, so.
THIRD TEAM
Lilee Boriskey, Edgewood-Colesburg, jr.; Brynn Clarahan, Sigourney, fr.; Emmi Bartolo, Bishop Garrigan, jr.; Sacha Alesch, Bishop Garrigan, jr.; Kylee Pexa, Dunkeston, so.; Kate Harthoorn, Lynnville-Sully, jr.; Emilee Beuter, North Linn, sr.; Maddie Richter, CAM, Anita, sr.