Iowa high school girls basketball Top 25 rankings (1/8/2024)

Ankeny schools make big jumps to Nos. 5 and 6

The Central Iowa Metro League continues its dominance, with eight of its nine teams among this week’s Top 25, including seven of the top eight positions. 

1. Johnston (12-0)

No team has played within single digits of the Dragons, who are shooting 39.2% from 3-point range as a team.

2. West Des Moines Dowling (9-3)

Junior Ava Zediker recently passed the 1,000-point milestone for her career.

3. Waukee (9-2)

Senior Sophia Hope had 16 points and 11 rebounds in a 59-48 win over West Des Moines Valley on Friday.

4. Davenport North (11-2)

Divine Bourrage was named MVP of the IHMVCU Iowa-Illinois Shootout Saturday after a 68-46 win over United Township.

5. Ankeny Centennial (7-5)

Jaguars have beaten Ankeny, North Polk, Waukee Northwest and Southeast Polk in their last four outings, all outstanding wins.

6. Ankeny (8-4)

Sophomore Ainsley Kiene had 15 points, including 3 of 6 from 3-point range, in a 55-50 win over West Des Moines Valley on Tuesday.

7. Southeast Polk (6-6)

Rams have plenty of chances to move back up, as they face Waukee, Waukee Northwest and Ankeny in their next three games.

8. West Des Moines Valley (7-4)

Freshman Tylee Weite, a 5-foot-10 guard, ranks second on the Tigers in scoring with 10.0 points per game.

9. Clear Creek-Amana (9-0)

Big WaMac Conference game Tuesday for the Clippers at unbeaten Mount Vernon.

10. Solon (10-1)

Spartans edged Benton Community 36-33 despite shooting 26.1% from the field and 44.4% from the free-throw line.

11. Dike-New Hartford (9-1)

As a post player, Payton Petersen leads her conference in scoring (19.1) and steals (4.3).

12. North Linn (10-1)

Lynx exploded for 52 points in the middle quarters of a 74-47 win over previously unbeaten Calamus-Wheatland, getting 21 from Molly Boge and 20 apiece from Macy Boge and Kamryn Kurt.

13. Sioux City Heelan (9-0)

Crusaders have reached the state semifinals in five of the last 12 seasons.

14. Pleasant Valley (9-2)

Quinn Vice had 15 points and four rebounds in a hard-fought 60-52 win over Central DeWitt.

15. Cedar Falls (10-1)

Grace Knutson finished with 23 points and eight rebounds Friday in a 49-37 win over Linn-Mar.

16. Dallas Center-Grimes (10-1)

Big stretch for the Mustangs begins Friday with Pella, Ankeny and Sioux City Heelan coming up.

17. Sioux Central (10-1)

Seniors Bradi Krager and Morgan Christian, and sophomore Avery Wilson combined for more than 50 points per game for the Rebels.

18. Estherville-Lincoln Central (11-2)

Midgets overcame 3-of-25 3-point shooting (12.0%) to nip Cherokee 45-41.

19. Newell-Fonda (10-1)

Kierra Jungers started the new year with 24 points and eight rebounds, shooting 11 of 15, in a 72-29 win over Pocahontas Area.

20. Waukee Northwest (5-6)

Wolves started the 2024 portion of their season with losses by seven to Ankeny Centennial and 10 to Dowling.

21. North Polk (9-2)

Abby Tuttle registered 23 points and six assists in the Comets’ 61-55 win over perennial 4A power Cedar Rapids Xavier.

22. Sioux City East (8-3)

Black Raiders nipped Mason City 49-45 Saturday at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

23. Cedar Rapids Prairie (8-1)

Sophomore Brynlie Hadenfeldt delivered 10 points and 10 rebounds as Prairie rallied from three down entering the fourth quarter for a 61-52 win over Dubuque Wahlert.

24. Waverly-Shell Rock (11-0)

Freshman Lizzy Frazell made 6 of 9 3-pointers for 18 points Friday in a 60-35 win over Decorah.

25. Mount Vernon (11-0)

Clear Creek-Amana (9-0), Marion (9-2) and Solon (10-1) are the Mustangs’ next three opponents.