Iowa high school girls basketball Top 25 rankings (2/12/2024)

Anticipation high as Iowa girls teams begin postseason

Three of Iowa’s five defending girls state basketball champions appear in the final SBLive rankings of the regular season: 5A Pleasant Valley (8th), 4A Dallas Center-Grimes (24th) and 2A Dike-New Hartford (16th). Postseason play began last week in Class 1A, 2A and 3A. 

1. Johnston (21-0) 

Dragons enter the 5A postseason the prohibitive favorite to reach their fifth straight championship game and win their third title in five years.

2. West Des Moines Dowling (17-4)

A five-time state champion, Dowling is seeking to return to the state tournament and improve on last year’s semifinal showing.

3. Davenport North (20-2)

With Iowa recruit Journey Houston lost for the season to injury, Wildcats still have high hopes.

4. Waukee (16-4)

Warriors wrapped up the regular season Saturday with a 50-40 win over Southeast Polk. They could meet again in the regional final on Feb. 20.

5. Ankeny Centennial (12-8)

Jaguars could meet a talented Sioux City East team in a 5A regional final.

6. Ankeny (12-9)

Hawks swept the season series with West Des Moines Valley 53-46 on Friday. They could meet again in a 5A regional final on Feb. 20.

7. Clear Creek-Amana (21-0)

After a quarterfinal exit last year, Clippers have their eyes on a second straight state-tournament appearance, which would only be the third in school history.

8. Pleasant Valley (17-4)

Defending 5A champs are ready to make another run. They could meet a young and talented Waukee Northwest club in the regional final.

9. North Linn (20-1)

Remarkably, Lynx have won 20 games in a season for the 14th straight season. They’re seeking their sixth straight trip to state.

10. Sioux City Heelan (20-1)

Class 4A Crusaders are seeking their 14th state appearance and fourth state championship.

11. Cedar Falls (20-1)

Karis Finley had 14 points, 6 rebounds and 5 steals Thursday in a 52-47 win over Cedar Rapids Prairie. They could meet again in a 5A regional final on Feb. 20.

12. Waukee Northwest (10-11)

Wolves were tied at the half and after three quarters Friday against Ankeny Centennial, and dropped a 48-44 decision.

13. West Des Moines Valley (11-10)

To likely get a third shot at Ankeny, Tigers will have to beat Iowa City Liberty (11-8) on Feb. 17.

14. North Polk (20-2)

Comets lost in overtime in last year’s 4A championship game, 57-50 to Dallas Center-Grimes. They’ve reached the finals in three of the last five years.

15. Solon (19-3)

Spartans are seeking to improve on last year’s trip to the Class 3A semifinals.

16. Dike-New Hartford (20-2)

Senior twins Payton and Jadyn Petersen are hoping to lead the Wolverines to their fourth straight Class 2A state championship.

17. Mount Vernon (19-3)

Mustangs split with fellow 3A and WaMaC East power Solon during the regular season and would love to meet for a third time in the state tournament.

18. Sioux Central (19-1)

Rebels reached the 2A regional final last season and hope to take another step this year.

19. Estherville-Lincoln Central (20-2)

Midgets completed a sweep of 1A power Newell-Fonda with a 64-56 win Thursday, as Rylee Yager had 20 points, 14 rebounds and 6 steals.

20. Newell-Fonda (19-2)

In the loss to Estherville-LC, Kinzee Hinders had 22 points and 10 rebounds, but the Mustangs had 24 turnovers.

21. Southeast Polk (9-12)

Despite their record, the Rams have the necessary ingredients to make a repeat trip to the 5A state tournament.

22. Sioux City East (17-4)

A win over 13-9 Ames likely will send the Black Raiders into a 5A regional final against Ankeny Centennial.

23. Waverly-Shell Rock (21-0)

Despite an unbeaten regular season, Go-Hawks still have quality challengers in their 4A region, including 16-6 Western Dubuque.

24. Dallas Center-Grimes (18-3)

Defending 4A champions are certainly among the group capable of winning it in 2024.

25. Cedar Rapids Prairie (15-4)

Hawks likely get another crack at Cedar Falls in a 5A regional final if they can beat Linn-Mar (11-10).

--Kevin White I @SBLiveIA