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