Regan Freland re-wrote the record books for Prairie City-Monroe’s girls’ basketball program.
She has the most points scored in a game, in a season and in a career in school history. Freland also led the Mustangs in scoring and steals all four years she was in high school.
Her efforts landed her an athletic scholarship and she will play for Kirkwood Community College at the next level.
“You have to be a little ornery to play for me, and she has a little orneriness to her,” Kirkwood head coach Kim Muhl said. “She has a good basketball IQ and she shot it real well the times I watched her play.”
Muhl said he saw Freland twice on the AAU circuit. He said the Mustang senior is long, athletic and accountable.
“If I asked her to do something or needed something done, she did it,” Muhl said. “She’s diverse. We will have a diverse team next year. I have four Regans.”
Freland said she chose Kirkwood over opportunities to play at Simpson College and Grand View University. She loved the location in Cedar Rapids and loves the coaching staff at Kirkwood.
“I loved Kirkwood for many reasons,” Freland said. “I have always lived in a small town so I thought it would be fun and an eye-opening opportunity to live in Cedar Rapids. The size of the school was perfect for me. It has a big school feel while being small in size.”
Freland scored a school-record 1,461 points in her career. Her 420 points scored her sophomore season also was a school record.
As a freshman, she was the leading scorer on a state-tournament squad. Freland averaged 13.4 points and a team-best 3.12 steals per game. She also ranked second in assists per game at 3.16 and was second in total blocks with 10.
Freland averaged 2.5 rebounds per game and shot 42 percent from the floor, 36 percent from 3-point range and 74 percent from the foul line. She made 41 3-pointers.
As a sophomore, Freland averaged a team-best 19.1 points, 3.6 assists and 3.2 steals per contest. She was second in rebounds at four per game and ranked second in total blocks with nine.
Freland shot 32 percent from the floor, 31 percent from 3-point range and 74 percent from the line. She connected on a career-best 51 3-pointers.
She led the Mustangs in points, rebounds, assists and steals in her final two seasons. She also led the team in blocks her junior year.
Freland averaged 15.6 points, 2.9 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 3.1 steals per game her junior season. She blocked 18 shots. Freland made 32 percent from the floor, 34 percent from 3-point range and 76.3 percent from the foul line while making 48 3-pointers.
As a senior, Freland averaged 16.4 points, a career-best 5.2 rebounds, 3.4 steals and three assists per game while blocking 13 shots. She shot 40 percent from the floor, 26 percent from 3-point range, 72 percent from the line and hit 40 treys.
“I see her playing for us right away,” Muhl said. “I think she will be the two or three for us. She has a big upside, will continue to get better and won’t have to play point guard.”
Muhl has registered 31 consecutive 20-win seasons at Kirkwood. He’s guided the Eagles to 27 regional finals, 19 national tournaments and seven national titles. His Hall of Fame career includes an overall record of 919-162.
Kirkwood was 29-4 last year but lost eight sophomores to graduation. Two of the top four scorers last year will be back and Muhl said he has 10 other players signed right now.
“They have a strong team everywhere,” Freland said. “As most of the other girls, I expect to win a national title.
“We have a ton of great girls coming in with extremely talented returners as well. Therefore, we have that potential. I am extremely excited and grateful to be able to play under Coach Muhl.”
Freland also will get the chance to play against her older brother Cody this upcoming season. Cody Freland is an assistant coach for Marshalltown Community College, and Kirkwood hosts the Tigers next season.
“My brother and I grew up talking and playing basketball. Therefore, that’s very special,” Regan Freland said. “We also are both super competitive, so that will be fun. But better yet, talking about the game and catching up afterwards will be awesome.
“We played in a scrimmage against Colfax-Mingo when he was the assistant there, so it won’t be the first time, but I will never forget hitting a 3 or making a good move and looking over and seeing the smile on his face. Although he will be coaching on the opposing team, he will still be my No. 1 fan.”
Freland plans to major in communications. She also wants to further her education and athletic career after Kirkwood.
Muhl said he has sent around 80 players to NCAA Division I programs and another 90 to 100 to Division II schools in his time at Kirkwood.
“I will see where these first two years take me,” Freland said. “I am extremely excited for my future and the opportunities that Kirkwood will give to me.”
