Iowa high school boys basketball Top 25 rankings (3/11/2024)

The final rankings of the season

The Iowa High School Athletic Association crowned four champions Friday at the boys state tournament: West Des Moines Valley in Class 4A, Davenport Assumption in 3A, Hull Western Christian in 2A and North Linn in 1A.

1. West Des Moines Valley (21-5) 

The Tigers made it back-to-back 4A state titles with an impressive win over previous top-ranked Cedar Rapids Kennedy thanks to a big third quarter. 

2. Cedar Rapids Kennedy (25-1)

The Cougars had a bad third quarter and were upended by the defending champs in the 4A title game.

3. Ankeny (16-6)

The Hawks rode an eight-game winning streak all the way to the 4A semifinals before finally losing to the eventual champion Valley in the semifinals.

4. Bettendorf (18-7)

The Bulldogs won 11 straight games and made it to the 4A semifinals before falling to previous unbeaten and top-seeded Kennedy.

5. Davenport Assumption (18-8)

The Knights were battle tested, playing predominately a 4A conference schedule, and it showed by winning the 3A state championship.

6. Waverly-Shell Rock (22-3)

The Go-Hawks lost a heartbreaker in the 3A state championship to Davenport Assumption.

7. Cedar Falls (20-4)

The Tigers were eliminated by one of the hottest teams in 4A (Bettendorf) in the state semifinals.

8. Dubuque Senior (21-3)

The Rams finished the season winning 12 of 13 before falling to streaking Ankeny in the 4A state semifinals.

9. Hull Western Christian (23-3)

The Wolfpack dominated the Class 2A field winning their 11th state championship.

10. North Linn (26-1)

The Lynx pulled out a thriller over Marquette to claim the 1A state championship.

11. Decorah (23-3)

The Vikings’ best-ever team was upset by eventual 3A champion Davenport Assumption in the state semifinals.

12. Sioux City East (21-3)

The Black Raiders were ranked second before being upset by previously Johnston 59-54 in substate.

13. Johnston (14-10)

The Dragons battled two-time state champion Valley to a seven-point game in the 4A quarterfinals.

14. Dallas Center-Grimes (20-4)

The Mustangs were blown out by in state 4A quarterfinal game to top-seeded Cedar Rapids Kennedy.

15. Iowa City West (19-4)

The Trojans fell short of the state tournament again after being upset by Bettendorf 55-52 at substate.

16. Hudson (22-3)

The Pirates’ only losses this season have come to the IHSAA’s top ranked team in 3A (Decorah) and 4A (Kennedy). They made it all the way to the 2A title game before falling to Hull Western Christian.

17. Waukee (16-8)

The Warriors fell short of the state tournament, losing 66-59 to DC-G at substate.

18. North Scott (16-7)

The Lancers’ season ended when they lost a 57-55 heartbreaker to unbeaten and top-ranked Cedar Rapids Kennedy at substate.

19. MOC Floyd Valley (22-4)

The Dutchmen made it to the 3A state semifinals before losing to Waverly-Shell Rock.

20. Pleasant Valley (17-6)

The Spartans lost a 49-46 thriller to Dubuque Senior at Substate.

21. Norwalk (18-6)

The Warriors were eliminated 75-64 by the two-time 4A state champions Valley at substate.

22. Ankeny Centennial (17-7)

The Jaguars were blown out 64-41 by rival Ankeny in a substate final.

23. Unity Christian (21-5)

The Knights proved they belonged in the state tournament with a first-round win over previously unbeaten Underwood before falling Hudson in the 2A semifinals.

24. Marquette Catholic (27-2)

The Defenders made it all the way to the 1A championship game before losing a heartbreaker to North Linn.

25. Clear Lake (22-2)

The Lions were undefeated but lost two of their last four, including a 61-52 defeat to Ballard at substate.

--Chris Short | @SBLiveIA 


Published
Nate Olson
NATE OLSON

Nate Olson has covered prep and college sports in Arkansas since 1998. He has managed several newspapers and magazines in The Natural State and has won numerous awards for his work. Nate, who also has six years of public relations experience, has appeared statewide on radio and television throughout his career, and currently co-hosts a high school football postgame radio show.