Iowa high school girls basketball Top 25 rankings (2/19/2024)

3A state field set; other four classes determined this week

Four teams among this week’s Top 25 already have qualified for the state tournament in Des Moines: 3A schools Solon, Mount Vernon, Estherville-Lincoln Central and Forest City. The remaining 32 qualifiers will be determined this week. 

1. Johnston (22-0) 

Dragons will be heavy favorites Tuesday against Sioux City West in the 5A, Region 1 final. 

2. West Des Moines Dowling (18-4)

Maroons are seeking their 25th state appearance in 33 years Tuesday when they meet Des Moines Roosevelt in the 5A, Region 3 final.

3. Davenport North (21-2)

Wildcats’ only state appearances are 2016 and 2023. They meet Cedar Rapids Washington Tuesday in the 5A, Region 2 final.

4. Waukee (17-4)

Warriors reached state 13 times in 14 years between 2008 and 2021 before missing out the last two years. They face Iowa City West in the 5A, Region 4 final Tuesday.

5. Ankeny Centennial (13-8)

Jaguars go after their fourth straight trip to state Tuesday in the 5A, Region 5 final against talented Sioux City East.

6. Ankeny (13-9)

Hawks meet West Des Moines Valley Tuesday in the 5A, Region 8 final, a team they’ve beaten twice this season. But it’s always hard to beat a good team three times.

7. Clear Creek-Amana (22-0)

The Clippers, whose only state appearances are in 2020 and 2023, bid for a third trip Tuesday in the 4A, Region 1 final against Keokuk.

8. Pleasant Valley (18-4)

The defending 5A state champs go after their third straight appearance Tuesday against Waukee Northwest in Region 6 final.

9. North Linn (22-1)

Lynx bid for their sixth straight state appearance Wednesday in the 1A, Region 1 final against Edgewood-Colesburg.

10. Sioux City Heelan (21-1)

Crusaders seek their fifth appearance in six years Tuesday in the 4A, Region 3 final against Winterset.

11. Cedar Falls (21-1)

Tigers can earn their seventh trip to state in 10 years with a win over Cedar Rapids Prairie Tuesday in the 5A, Region 7 final.

12. Waukee Northwest (11-11)

Young Wolves face defending 5A champion Pleasant Valley Tuesday in the Region 6 final, but few have played a tougher schedule in the state.

13. West Des Moines Valley (12-10)

Tigers seek their third straight trip to state and hope the third time’s the charm in the 5A, Region 8 final vs. Ankeny.

14. North Polk (21-2)

Last year’s 4A state runner-up meets Maquoketa Tuesday in the 4A, Region 5 final.

15. Solon (21-3)

Spartans beat Chariton 73-41 on Saturday to advance to the 3A state tournament. They earned the No. 3 seed and will meet sixth-seeded Dubuque Wahlert at 10 a.m. on Feb. 27 in Des Moines.

16. Dike-New Hartford (22-2)

Wolverines have won three straight 2A state titles and meet Aplington-Parkersburg Wednesday in the 2A, Region 1 final.

17. Mount Vernon (21-3)

Mustangs beat Mediapolis 61-34 for the 3A, Region 1 title. They earned the No. 4 seed at state and will meet fifth-seeded Harlan Community on Feb. 26 in a state quarterfinal.

18. Sioux Central (21-1)

Rebels have never been to the state tournament. They can change that Wednesday in the 2A, Region 5 final against Pocahontas Area.

19. Estherville-Lincoln Central (22-2)

Midgets advanced to the 3A state tournament with a 57-38 win over Spirit Lake. They’re the No. 1 seed and will meet eighth-seeded Forest City Feb. 26 in Des Moines.

20. Newell-Fonda (21-2)

Mustangs seeking their 14th trip to state in 17 years Wednesday when they meet Coon Rapids-Bayard in the 1A, Region 2 final.

21. Sioux City East (18-5)

Black Raiders chase their sixth state appearance on Tuesday in the 5A, Region 5 final against Ankeny Centennial.

22. Waverly-Shell Rock (22-0)

Go-Hawks seek their fourth trip in six years, but could get a strong test from Western Dubuque Tuesday in the 4A, Region 2 final.

23. Dallas Center-Grimes (19-3)

Defending 4A champs square off with Pella Tuesday in the 4A, Region 4 final.

24. Cedar Rapids Prairie (16-4)

Twelve days after falling to Cedar Falls by five points, Hawks get another shot, this time with the 5A, Region 7 title on the line.

25. Forest City (21-3)

Indians beat Roland-Story 67-55 to advance to the 3A state tournament. They are the eighth seed and face top-seeded Estherville-Lincoln Central Feb. 26 in Des Moines.

--Kevin White I @SBLiveIA