Iowa high school boys basketball Top 25 rankings (2/12/2024)
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
That is the case with our top-ranked team, Cedar Rapids Kennedy, which remains unbeaten behind its senior-dominated lineup, including leading scorers Trey McKowen (13.8) and Joe Bean (12.7).
Meanwhile, Sioux City East continues to be a big mover with its impressive play, but the rest of Class 4A has been chaos, with multiple ranked teams once again suffering losses, especially in the CIML, which is likely the state’s best conference.
1. Cedar Rapids Kennedy (20-0)
The unbeaten Cougars have solidified themselves as the clear-cut favorite to win the Class 4A state championship. Last week they won at previous No. 2 Iowa City West 71-57, crushed Iowa City High by 52 and beat a solid Class 2A Hudson squad by 30.
2. Sioux City East (19-2)
The Black Raiders have skyrocketed up the rankings while riding a 13-game win streak that includes victories over the likes of Bishop Heelan, Council Bluffs Lincoln (twice), Council Bluffs Jefferson, Waukee, Sergeant Bluff-Luton and Hull Western Christian.
3. Iowa City West (17-2)
The Trojans saw their 11-game winning streak end with a 71-57 loss to top-ranked Kennedy but bounced back with double digit victories over Cedar Rapids Washington and Dubuque Hempstead.
4. Cedar Falls (16-3)
The Tigers move up two spots after winning their fifth straight and 10 of 11 behind leading scorer Anthony Galvin’s 14 points per game.
5. Dubuque Senior (16-2)
The Rams saw their seven-game winning streak come to a halt with a 55-37 loss to Cedar Falls. Their only other loss on the season was to No. 1 Kennedy.
6. West Des Moines Valley (14-5)
The defending Class 4A champions are struggling to get into a groove this season, and last week was no different. They fell to Ankeny at home 76-72 after an impressive 76-62 victory over Waukee.
7. Dallas Center-Grimes (16-3)
The Mustangs beat Pella Christian and Pella by double digits. Seniors Jackson Green, Calix Cahill and Johnathan Howard combined for 44 points per game.
8. Clear Lake (19-0)
The 3A Lions, who are the only non-Class 4A team in our top, are winning by 21.6 points.
9. Norwalk (15-3)
The Warriors have won 10 of 11 behind Redek Born, who averages 21.1 points per game.
10. Pleasant Valley (14-4)
The Spartans move into the Top 10 after winning 12 of 13, including victories last week over Davenport Central (54-46) and Central DeWitt (57-39).
11. Waukee (14-7)
The Warriors lost to Valley by 14 but bounced back with a 91-53 blowout win over Southeast Polk.
12. Ankeny Centennial (14-6)
The Jaguars won two of three, beating Southeast Polk and Waukee Northwest by double digits but were upset by Dowling 52-48.
13. Waverly-Shell Rock (16-3)
The 3A Go-Hawks saw their 16-game winning streak come to an end, losing to previously ranked Decorah 79-76.
The Lancers rolled past Muscatine by 19 and Clinton by 34.
14. North Scott (15-4)
The Lancers rolled past Muscatine by 19 and Clinton by 34.
15. West Lyon (20-1)
The 2A Wildcats capped off the regular season with blowout wins over Sibley-Ocheyedan by 40 and Spirit Lake by 24.
16. Des Moines Roosevelt (17-4)
The Rough Riders have won eight straight, including two blowout victories by a combined 70 points over city rivals Hoover and Lincoln.
17. Ankeny (14-6)
The Hawks posted wins over Urbandale (76-39) and Valley (76-72).
18. Adel ADM (17-2)
The 3A Tigers’ 16-game winning streak ended with an 80-70 loss to Winterset.
19. Council Bluff Thomas Jefferson 18-3)
The Yellowjackets move into the all-class rankings after winning six straight and 12 of 13 with their only loss in that span coming to No. 2 SC East.
20. North Linn (19-1)
The 1A Lynx are winning by an average of 40 points behind the scoring Ty Pflughaupt and Mason Bechen, who both average over 19 points per game.
21. Carroll Kuemper Catholic (17-3)
The 2A Knights split, losing 63-61 in overtime to Denison-Schleswig in a game that cost them the Hawkeye 10 Conference championship, but they bounced back with a 73-65 victory over a solid South Hamilton team in the regular season finale.
22. Solon (18-1)
The 3A Spartans perfect season ended with a heartbreaking 55-53 loss to previously ranked Williamsburg.
23. Ames (15-5)
The Little Cyclones move back into our all-class rankings in the midst of a seven-game winning streak.
24. Davenport West (14-5)
The Falcons suffered a 64-46 home loss to Assumption and beat Muscatine 64-43.
25. Hull Western Christian (17-3)
The defending Class 2A state runner-up ended the season losing two of three, but they were to our No. 2 team in 4A Sioux City East and South Dakota’s unbeaten power Sioux Falls Christian.
--Chris Short I @SBLiveIA
