Coming off a 19-5 season where the Hawks ended their season in the quarter final. They come into this season their new head coach Lynsey Barnard looks toward beginning a new era.

 ‘’The foundations been set of what it looks like to be part of City High basketball. But I think this is just like a new chapter of it. Really laying down the foundation for them and I think we got some good kids to do that,’’ Coach Barnard said.   

For the past 23 years the Little Hawks girls basketball team has been run by legendary coach Bill McTaggart who recently stepped down last season finishing his coaching career at City High with a record of 402-129 Including 12 state tournament appearances, 14 MVC division titles and a Class 4A championship. One of McTaggart’s assistant coaches Lynsey Barnard who has been along the ride for the past couple of years will be taking over what McTaggart has built. 

This season, the Little Hawks have incoming sophomore transfer from West Branch August Palmer, Incoming freshman Tessa Driscoll and look to start their futures off fast and well. They also return seniors Mia Driscoll, Lauren Koch, and Norah Jesperson and sophomores Emmy McComas and Avyana Lindsey who all look to step up and have an increased roll on the court.

‘’We’re definitely starting off on a good note we’re already bonding and Coach Barnards been great with helping me with everything,’’ August Palmer ‘25 said.      

Last season, The Little Hawks, Started the season off fast with an electric 11-0 record beating teams like Iowa City West, Liberty High, and Linn-Mar along the way to finishing with their best overall record since 2019 finishing at 19-5 record punching them a postseason ticket to the Iowa Girls Basketball State tournament where they were defeated in the quarterfinals by Pleasant Valley.  

The Little Hawks did lose 11 seniors after last season. The most significant departures were Kelsey Joens who transferred to West Liberty to play under newly appointed head coach and older sister Courtney Joens, and senior Andie Westlake. Both of these players paired up in the backcourt averaging a combined 33 points in the regular season. They also lost both of their stars in the frontcourt Bella Cooley who led the team in blocks and Eviyon Richardson who averaged a very well respected 15 points and 8 rebounds which led her to an Unanimous 1st team all conference selection.   

‘’Our focus is Just trying to get better and redefining what success is gonna be. Obviously everyone wants to win a state title but focusing on the stuff that we can do everyday instead of just what it’s supposed to look like in the end I think is gonna help us a lot,” Coach Barnard said.

The Little Hawks will open up at home against Regina on Friday, November 18th starting their long Journey to get back to Wells Fargo.