Iowa high school girls basketball Top 25 rankings (1/22/2024)

Waukee Northwest, Sioux City Heelan are the big movers

Waukee Northwest jumped 14 spots with wins over West Des Moines Valley and Southeast Polk, and Sioux City Heelan rose five spots after victories over Sioux City Heelan and Dallas Center-Grimes in this week’s all-class Top 25.

1, Johnston (15-0)

Aaliyah Riley had 15 points and 5 steals in a highly anticipated 43-31 win over West Des Moines Dowling.

2. West Des Moines Dowling (10-4)

In the 43-31 loss to Johnston, Ava Zediker had 15 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists, but the Maroons couldn’t find much offense elsewhere.

3. Davenport North (13-2)

In an important 48-41 win over Pleasant Valley, senior Kyra Taylor stepped up with 17 points and 7 rebounds, and senior Makayla Farnum added 15 points on 5-of-9 3-point shooting.

4. Waukee (11-3)

In a 64-61 win over Waukee Northwest, junior Emilie Sorensen had team highs of 24 points and 11 rebounds, sinking 6 of 9 from 3-point range.

5. Ankeny Centennial (9-5)

In a 40-30 win over West Des Moines Valley, the Jaguars held Valley to 26.7% (12 of 45) field-goal shooting, including 5% (1 of 20) from beyond the arc.

6. Waukee Northwest (7-7)

After wins over Valley and Southeast Polk, followed by a three-point loss to Waukee, Wolves earn a 14-spot promotion.

7. Southeast Polk (7-7)

Trailing Ankeny 25-20 at the half, the Rams outscored the Hawks 35-4 in the second half of a 55-29 victory.

8. Sioux City Heelan (12-0)

Huge week for the Crusaders, who knocked off Sioux City East 62-42 behind 20 points and 9 rebounds from Abby Lee, and then blasted Dallas Center-Grimes 60-29.

9. Clear Creek-Amana (13-0)

Clippers rank fourth in Class 4A in 3-point field-goal percentage, connecting on 34.1% as a team.

10. Ankeny (9-6)

Prior to the loss to Southeast Polk, Ankeny dropped 4A state No. 1 Dallas Center-Grimes 46-35, getting 14 points and 3 steals from sophomore Ainsley Kiene.

11. Pleasant Valley (10-3)

Spartans led Davenport North by three at the half of their anticipated matchup, but couldn’t maintain the momentum in a 48-41 loss.

12. Mount Vernon (13-1)

Free throws were key in the Mustangs’ 44-37 win over talented Solon, as they made 8 of 10 while the Spartans were just 3 of 10.

13. Solon (12-2)

Iowa recruit Callie Levin had 23 of her team’s 37 points in the 44-37 loss to Mount Vernon, and she also grabbed 10 rebounds.

14. Dike-New Hartford (12-1)

Statistical oddity for the Wolverines, who allowed exactly 24 points in all three of their wins last week, over Waterloo Columbus (66-24), Aplington-Parkersburg (64-24) and Union (68-24).

15. North Linn (14-1)

Macy Boge led all scorers with 16 points and added 5 steals in a hard-fought 53-48 win over highly regarded Iowa City Regina.

16. West Des Moines Valley (8-6)

After beating four teams in this week’s ratings during their 7-1 start, the Tigers have now lost five of their last six.

17. Cedar Falls (12-1)

Trailing by six entering the fourth quarter to tradition-rich Cedar Rapids Xavier, the Tigers rallied for a 38-32 win.

18. Sioux Central (12-1)

Rebels fought past Emmetsburg 53-45, getting 18 points, 4 assists and 4 steals from senior Morgan Christian.

19. Estherville-Lincoln Central (12-2)

Midgets and Spirit Lake are the lone unbeatens in the Lakes Conference. They’ll meet on Jan. 30 in Spirit Lake.

20. Newell-Fonda (13-2)

Mustangs averaged 98.5 points in their two victories last week over Storm Lake St. Mary’s and Southeast Valley.

21. North Polk (13-2)

Comets rank second in Class 4A in defensive average, allowing just 33.8 points per game.

22. Cedar Rapids Prairie (11-1)

After an opening-night loss to nationally ranked Johnston, Hawks have now ripped off 11 in a row.

23. Sioux City East (10-4)

Black Raiders exploded for 47 points in the second half of a 78-40 win over Le Mars, which entered with an 11-2 record.

24. Dallas Center-Grimes (10-3)

Rough week for Mustangs with losses to Ankeny (46-35) and Sioux City Heelan (60-29).

25. Waverly-Shell Rock (15-0)

Go-Hawks have a stiff test Tuesday when they travel to 12-2 Forest City. 

--Kevin White I @SBLiveIA