RON MALY HAS BEEN WATCHING THE PARADE GO BY FOR A LONG TIME. THIS IS ONE OF HIS WEBSITES.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Iowa Signs Women's Players Disterhoft, Kastanek

Iowa women’s basketball coach Lisa Bluder said today that Ally Disterhoft (Iowa City, Iowa/West High School) and Alexa Kastanek (Lincoln, Neb./Lincoln Southeast High School) have signed national letters of intent for the 2013-2014 season.

“It’s one of the smaller classes we have brought in, but it’s a quality class.” Bluder said.  “Ally and Alexa are two very good basketball players.  They both fit into our system and we are excited to have them join our program.”


Ally Disterhoft (AL-ee)
6-0, Guard/Forward
Iowa City, Iowa
Iowa City West HS

High School… ESPN HoopGurlz Top 100 recruit… earned a total of seven all-state honors as a sophomore and junior, including six first team accolades… all-district selection as a junior and senior… two-time unanimous MVC Player of the Year and first team all-conference pick…Iowa City Press-Citizen and Gazette/KCRG Player of the Year as a junior… averaged 15 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists as a sophomore… averaged 16.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists as a junior… led West High to its first state tournament appearance in school history as a sophomore, finishing runner-up… helped the Trojans claim a state championship as a junior with a 25-1 record… named to state tournament all-tournament team in both seasons… led West high to back-to-back MVC titles… holds school records for single-season field goal percentage (67.4) and 3-point percentage (45.1) and single game blocks (5)… also lettered in track and volleyball… helped West High to a 2010 outdoor state track championship… claimed individual state title in indoor 4x800 as a sophomore… multiple event qualifier for Drake Relays… all-conference and academic all-district pick in volleyball… also excels in the classroom and is an academic all-state and all-conference selection… member of the National Honor Society and holds a 4.0 cumulative grade-point average… awarded direct admission into Tippie College of Business for academic achievement.

Personal… Parents are Missy and Jeff Disterhoft… mother played basketball and softball at Drake and was teammates with current assistant coaches Jan Jensen and Jenni Fitzgerald… has a younger brother, Nate… plans on majoring in business.

Bluder on Disterhoft
“Ally had a tremendous junior year, winning the state championship for West High, but she had an outstanding summer during AAU basketball.  I thought she really blossomed over the summer.  It’s always great to have the best players in the state in your program, but it’s even more special when they are from right here in Iowa City.  Ally is a tall wing player with a long wing-span.  She has a great 3-point shot and has worked hard on developing her ability to drive and get to the rim.  She fits perfectly into the style that we like to play.”


Alexa Kastanek (uh-LEX-uh kuh-STAH-knick)
5-10, Guard/Forward
Lincoln, Neb.
Lincoln Southeast HS

High School… ESPN HoopGurlz Top 100 recruit… first player in Lincoln Southeast High School history to start and play in every game since freshman season… all-state selection as a junior… named all-city as a freshman, sophomore and junior… selected as team captain every season since her freshman year… averaged 14.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.8 steals as a sophomore… averaged 16.3 points and 5.5 rebounds as a junior… led her high school to three state tournament appearances, including runner-up finish as a junior… claimed city, conference and district championships in each of her three seasons… also excels in the classroom as a member of the National Honor Society and honor roll student throughout high school.

Personal… Parents are Lisa and Dave Kastanek… has two older sisters, Allie and Marissa, and one younger brother, Marcus… Marissa is a senior on the North Carolina State women’s basketball team… plans on majoring in psychology.

Bluder on Kastanek
“Alexa is still ranked as one of the top 100 players in her class, despite not playing this summer due to a slight knee injury.  I think that speaks volumes about her talent level.  She is a versatile player; she has played every position from point guard to power forward for her high school and AAU teams.  Alexa is consistent, works hard on defense, handles the ball extremely well and can finish at the rim.  She plays on successful high school and AAU teams and we are very excited about having her in an Iowa uniform.”

[This story was written for Ron Maly by Aaron Blau of Iowa's sports information staff].