Iowa high school boys basketball Top 25 rankings (1/9/2024)

Hull Western Christian, Sioux City East, Waverly-Shell Rock and MOC Floyd Valley join the list

Three eastern Iowa teams lead our all-class Top 25 – led by unbeatens Cedar Rapids Kennedy and Dubuque Senior. 

Decorah, Williamsburg, Bettendorf, Xavier Catholic, Williamsburg and Roland-Story drop out of the rankings after suffering losses, and Hull Western Christian, Sioux City East, Waverly-Shell Rock and MOC Floyd Valley make their way into the rankings.

1. Cedar Rapids Kennedy (8-0)

The undefeated Cougars blew out Dubuque Hempstead and posted a 65-54 victory over Waukee heading into a big matchup vs. Linn-Mar on Tuesday.

2. Dubuque Senior (8-0)

The undefeated Rams, who move up two spots, are perhaps the biggest surprise in Class 4A. They are led by Jacob Williams’ 21 points and 9.1 rebounds per game.

3. North Scott (8-1)

The Lancers, who drop a position, doubled up Clinton 88-44 in their only game last week. They have five players scoring double figures, led by Jamarion Readus at 16.6.

4. West Des Moines Valley (7-2)

The Tigers fall one spot after losing to Waukee on a three-quarter court shot in double overtime.

5. Iowa City West (8-1)

The Trojans came back from the holiday break with a couple of victories of Catholic schools Xavier (61-53) and Dowling (57-55) to move up a position.

6. Ankeny Centennial (8-2)

The Jaguars improve a position after getting past Waukee Northwest 57-53 and Southeast Polk 64-55. Luke Winkel is averaging 22.3 for Centennial.

7. Ankeny (8-2)

Carson Johnson is scoring 25.3 per game as the Hawks rolled past Urbandale 70-58 and Bettendorf 78-53 last week. They jump from 10th.

8. Waukee (8-3)

The Warriors split, beating defending 4A champion Valley on Mason’ Costello's last-second, three-quarter court shot at the buzzer in double overtime before falling to top-ranked Cedar Rapids Kennedy 65-54. They move up a spot.

9. Linn-Mar (6-3)

The Lions plummet four spots after losing both games after the holiday break, falling 83-76 to Cedar Falls and 56-42 to WDM Valley.

10. Cedar Falls (6-2)

The Tigers got a big 83-76 win over Linn-Mar but fell 72-66 to Davenport Assumption. They move up a spot into the top 10.

11. Norwalk (7-2)

The Warriors, who were 12th last year, are led by UNI recruit Redek Born (19.9 ppg) and Aidan Harder (15.8 ppg).

12. Council Bluffs Abe Lincoln (7-2)

The Lynx fall four spots after getting blown out by 11-1 Bellevue West 88-57 in their first game after the holidays. They face Sioux City East on Tuesday in a battle between western Iowa’s top 4A teams and then battle Bishop Heelan on Friday.

13. Clear Lake (9-0)

Holding steady at No. 13, the 3A Lions, who have three players averaging double digits, blew out Fort Dodge St. Edmond and Iowa Falls-Alden.

14. West Lyon (11-0)

The 2A Wildcats continue to roll, posting a 73-46 victory over Unity Christian and remain at No. 14.

15. Carroll Kuemper Catholic (10-1)

The 2A Knights continue to roll after losing their season opener to 3A Carroll on a buzzer beater, beating Atlantic 74-52 and East Sac 82-67. They stay 15th.

16. Pleasant Valley (6-3)

The Spartans are riding a four-game winning streak. They handled Central DeWitt and Ames by double digits last week to move up a spot.

17. Dallas Center-Grimes (6-2)

The Mustangs move up a position after ending their two-game losing streak with a 65-51 win over Indianola.

18. Bishop Heelan (7-2)

The 3A Crusaders ended their two-game losing streak with two convincing wins – 69-41 over Sioux City West and 75-26 over South Sioux City to move up a spot.

19. Marquette Catholic (11-0)

Marquette jumps four spots into the top 20 after thumping Easton Valley 70-21 and Springville 74-38 to remain unbeaten. It has four players averaging double figures in scoring, led by Spencer Roeder’s 16.1 points and 8.7 rebounds per game.

20. Des Moines Roosevelt (7-2)

The Rough Riders, who improve from 24th, are riding a four-game winning streak after beating Grand View Christian 73-59 and blowing out rival Des Moines Hoover 83-34.

The defending 2A runner up’s only loss was to unbeaten North Sioux City Dakota Valley (SD). The Wolfpack, who beat 4A Sioux City North 70-54 last week, debut in the rankings.

21. Hull Western Christian (9-1)

The defending 2A runner up’s only loss was to unbeaten North Sioux City Dakota Valley (SD). The Wolfpack, who beat 4A Sioux City North 70-54 last week, debut in the rankings.

22. Sioux City East (8-2)

The Black Raiders debut in the rankings after pounding Fort Dodge 85-34 and Mason City 83-38.

23. Waverly-Shell Rock (9-2)

The 3A Go-Hawks have won nine straight after opening the season with quality losses against Xavier and Clear Lake, including an impressive 84-57 beatdown of previously unbeaten Decorah, which fell out of our rankings.

24. MOC Floyd Valley (10-2)

The Dutchmen, who are riding a four-game winning streak, make their way into the rankings for the first time. Their only losses are to unbeaten West Lyon and Omaha Skutt Catholic.

25. Davenport Assumption Catholic (7-3)

The Knights make their way into the rankings after knocked off previously ranked Bettendorf and No.. 10 Cedar Falls.

--Chris Short I @SBLiveIA