Winter sport athletes to watch: girls and boys basketball
Since her freshman year, junior Grace Fincham has been on fire and a valuable member of the team. Fincham has already received an offer from the University of Wisconsin Green Bay and is expected to receive more as the season continues.
Last year, she started every game and made 141 out of 265 shots, giving her an impressive 53% field goal percentage. In addition to her shooting accuracy, Fincham totaled 147 rebounds, both offensive and defensive. This year is off to a strong start for her, after just six games, she maintains a 53% field goal percentage and leads the team with 40 rebounds.
Another junior, Ava Frese, has contributed to the team’s success both offensively and defensively. Frese has started all six games this season, tallying 21 assists and 11 steals. Her field goal percentage stands at 42.1%, the second highest on the team. Last year, she contributed significantly with 36 assists and 22 steals. Frese is definitely a player to watch this season.
Sophomore Sasha Baldwin was quite the player last year and is expected to dominate on the court this year as well. Although she didn’t start every game last year, she played every game and was overall well rounded with a contributed 83 rebounds, 44 assists and 28 steals. This year, she already has 30 rebounds, the second-highest total on the team, and leads in steals with 14.
Senior Jack McCaffery enters this year looking to build off his strong junior season which saw him lead the team in scoring with 16.2 points per game. Over the summer he committed to play college basketball at Butler University for the next four years. A starter since his freshman year, McCaffery is an integral member of the team as they work towards a state championship.
Julian Manson ’26 has constantly seen his role grow since freshman year and is ready to break out as the second-most experienced member of the team. Manson is an efficient scorer who finished in the top five on the team in field goal percent last year with a mark of 52.8%. He is also great off the glass, rebounding both on defense and offense for second-chance points. Watch out for this two-way star this season.
A new face for the Trojans this year is Kingston Swayzer ’27. Swayzer transferred across the river from City where last season he played in 20 games and even started for them. Playing as a freshman in 4A is a rarity, but he managed to carve out a nice role for himself last season. Swayzer is an extremely gifted athlete and will be one of the first players off the bench for the Trojans this season.
Your donation will support the student journalists of West High School. Your contribution will allow us to purchase Scholarship Yearbooks, newsroom equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs.
-
BasketballBracket breakdown -
BasketballTrojan basketball ends regular season with busy schedule -
BasketballA look toward the end of winter sports season -
BasketballBoys basketball falls to CR Kennedy -
BasketballWinter rewind -
BasketballPhotos: West girls basketball defeats CR Washington -
BasketballGirls basketball wins first home game in a tense matchup -
BasketballTrojans sweep the Liberty Lightning in a doubleheader matchup -
BasketballBoys basketball mid season update -
BasketballGirls basketball season starts with a win over Solon -
ShowcaseThrough the lens: jazz bands perform downtown -
ShowcaseBetter understanding Iowa's water quality crisis -
ShowcaseWest orchestras say farewell to seniors at final concert -
ShowcaseThrough the lens: West bands' spring concert -
ShowcaseA look back on 2025-26: moments of excellence -
ShowcaseBudget cuts, loans denied and resignations: A deep dive into the ICCSD’s current financial state -
ShowcaseRethinking diets: how West utilizes different eating habits -
ShowcaseDespite setbacks, Scott Matsen ‘26 fought to achieve his football dream -
ShowcaseNow trending: mental health -
ShowcaseRoad to recovery: the battle against mental health stigma -
SportsTrojan softball sweeps Jefferson in home opening doubleheader -
SportsSummer spotlight: May news briefs -
SportsDiamond in the rough: how technology is shaping baseball and softball -
SportsWest High baseball shuts out Davenport West 3-0 -
SportsWest track and field competes in state meet -
SportsPhotos: West girls soccer falls to Liberty -
SportsAthletes after West: 2026 senior signees -
SportsWest High sends singles player and two doubles teams to individual state tournament -
SportsWest High baseball takes on Waterloo West in season-opening doubleheader -
SportsTrack and field teams compete in state qualifying meet


