Iowa high school girls state basketball 2026: Pairings, predictions, top players and more

DES MOINES — “Big Monday,” indeed.

Five area teams will be on the Casey’s Center court for opening day of the 105th girls state basketball tournament, and that includes back-to-back-to-back-to-back games to conclude that massive itinerary.

Action begins at 10 a.m. Monday at the renamed venue (formerly Wells Fargo Arena). Top-ranked Johnston puts its 76-game winning streak on the line against No. 12 Ankeny Centannial in a Class 5A quarterfinal.

The Dragons and the Jaguars are two of six teams that represent the mighty Central Iowa Metro League in the eight-team 5A field. Cedar Rapids Washington and Iowa City West are the outsiders.

Eight area teams have advanced. In addition to Washington and West in 5A, there’s Clear Creek Amana in 4A, Mount Vernon, Maquoketa and Williamsburg in 3A, Iowa City Regina in 2A and upstart Lansing Kee in 1A.

Kee High pulled the upset of the postseason (so far), dropping No. 4 Springville in a 1A regional final.

Johnston is one of four defending champions to return, joining Mount Vernon (3A), Hinton (2A) and Council Bluffs St. Albert (1A).

The following are thumbnails on each of the five classes:

Class 5A

THE SCHEDULE

Quarterfinals

Monday, 10 a.m. — No. 1 Johnston (24-0) vs. No. 12 Ankeny Centennial (12-11)

Monday, 11:45 a.m. — No. 5 Cedar Rapids Washington (18-4) vs. No. 6 Ankeny (15-8)

Monday, 1:30 p.m. — No. 2 West Des Moines Dowling (20-3) vs. No. 9 West Des Moines Valley (13-10)

Monday, 3:15 p.m. — No. 3 Waukee Northwest (17-5) vs. No. 7 Iowa City West (17-7)

Semifinals

Thursday, 10 a.m. — Top bracket

Thursday, 11:45 a.m. — Bottom bracket

Championship

Friday, 6 p.m. — Semifinal winners

THE FAVORITE

Ranked No. 18 nationally by ESPN, Johnston is bidding to become the first big-school team to claim three consecutive championships since Ankeny won four in a row between 2002 and 2005. The Dragons have won four of the last six 5A titles and are making their 12th consecutive trip to state, tying Mediapolis (1965-76) for the state’s longest streak of appearances. The Dragons’ 76-game win string is third-longest in state history. Led by Notre Dame signee Jenica Lewis (20.8 ppg), three starters are back from last year’s title team. Sophomore Kelli Kalb adds 13.2 ppg. Coach Chad Jilek is 290-54 in 14 seasons at Johnston.

THE LOCALS

MVC Valley Division co-champion Cedar Rapids Washington ended a 13-year state-tournament drought by dropping 2025 qualifier Cedar Rapids Prairie in the regional finals, 69-59. Sira Doumbia and Samantha Becker scored 22 points apiece. Becker, along with fellow seniors Lily Belle Barker and Hailey Becker, were architects of a dramatic four-year climb; the Warriors suffered through a 1-21 campaign when they were freshmen. A 6-foot-4 junior post, Doumbia averages 15.7 points and 10.0 rebounds per game while Samantha Becker scores at a 14.7-point clip. Chris James has coached at Washington 10 years and owns a 118-100 mark.

MVC Mississippi Division champion Iowa City West returns for the first time since 2021. The Trojans won the rubber-match with Iowa City Liberty in the regional finals, 61-54. West is a veteran team with four senior starters, including Drake recruit Grace Fincham (19.2 points, 8.6 rebounds per game) and Abby Neumiller (10.6 ppg). The Trojans love the outside shot; they average 25.4 3-point attempts per game (and make 8.8). Nate Frese in his fourth year with the program and has compiled a 61-33 record. West won state titles in 2012 and 2018 under B.J. Mayer, now the school’s athletics director.

THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH

Grace Fincham, 5-10, sr., Iowa City West — Averages 19.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. Signed with Drake, she is shooting 49.7 percent from the field, 38.7 percent from 3-point range and 78.8 percent from the line.

Jenica Lewis, 5-11, sr., Johnston — Ranked No. 24 in the Class of 2026 by ESPN, the Notre Dame signee averages 20.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. Shoots 44.8 percent from the field, 85.6 percent from the line.

Ellie Muller, 6-3, sr., West Des Moines Dowling — The eldest of three Muller sisters playing for the Maroons and a Missouri signee. Averages 17.5 points, 12.5 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per game, shooting 56.4 percent from the floor, 73.1 from the line.

LINDER’S PREDICTIONS

Quarterfinals

Johnston 65, Ankeny Centennial 41

Cedar Rapids Washington 51, Ankeny 49

West Des Moines Dowling 63, West Des Moines Valley 42

Waukee Northwest 56, Iowa City West 45

Semifinals

Johnston 60, Cedar Rapids Washington 46

West Des Moines Dowling 53, Waukee Northwest 49

Championship

Johnston 55, West Des Moines Dowling 52

Class 4A

THE SCHEDULE

Quarterfinals

Tuesday, 11:45 a.m. — No. 2 Dallas Center-Grimes (21-2) vs. No. 7 Waverly-Shell Rock (22-1)

Tuesday, 1:30 p.m. — No. 3 Norwalk (21-2) vs. No. 6 Central DeWitt (23-1)

Tuesday, 3:15 p.m. — No. 1 Sioux City Heelan (23-0) vs. No. 8 North Polk (20-3)

Tuesday, 5 p.m. — No. 4 Clear Creek Amana (20-2) vs. No. 5 Carlisle (23-1)

Semifinals

Thursday, 5 p.m. — Top bracket

Thursday, 6:45 p.m. — Bottom bracket

Championship

Saturday, 2:30 p.m. — Semifinal winners

THE FAVORITE

Top-ranked, unbeaten Sioux City Heelan leads a strong, deep 4A field. The Crusaders are in the field for the 17th time, the fifth consecutive. Heelan was the No. 1 seed last year, but was toppled in the first round by eventual champion Cedar Rapids Xavier. Coach Darron Koolstra has compiled a 320-76 mark in 16 seasons, with state titles in 2008, 2010 and 2020. Junior Melina Snoozy (20.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg) has scored more than 1,500 career points and is considered one of the state’s top 2027 prospects. The Crusaders score at a 71.5-point clip.

THE LOCALS

The 2024 state champion, Clear Creek Amana has bounced back emphatically after a two-game mini-slump toward the end of the regular season. The Clippers were champions of the Wamac Conference West Division. Senior Averie Lower, a signee of Arizona State University, has scored 1,769 career points and is averaging 24.2 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. Senior Lena Evans adds 17.8 points and 4.3 steals per contest, and the Clippers are undefeated in games in which both of those two have played. Matt Hoeppner is in his first year at CCA, his fourth head-coaching stop, and owns a 122-82 career record in nine seasons overall.

THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH

Braylyn Birmingham, 5-10, soph., Norwalk — Already a 1,000-point career scorer, she averages 30.1 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. Shoots 52.4 percent from the field, 36.3 percent from 3-point range and 86.8 percent from the line.

Macy Comito, 5-9, sr., Carlisle — Iowa State University signee. Averages 20.3 points, 3.3 assists and 3.4 steals per game. Shoots 48.8 percent from the field, 37.5 percent from long range and 85.4 percent from the line.

Averie Lower, 6-0, sr., Clear Creek Amana — Signed with Arizona State, registers 24.2 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game. Has hit 92 3-pointers this season and shoots 54.2 percent from the field, 43.8 percent from long distance and 77.0 percent from the line.

LINDER’S PREDICTIONS

Quarterfinals

Dallas Center-Grimes 43, Waverly-Shell Rock 38

Norwalk 53, Central DeWitt 48

Sioux City Heelan 62, North Polk 44

Clear Creek Amana 50, Carlisle 46

Semifinals

Norwalk 51, Dallas Center-Grimes 48

Sioux City Heelan 56, Clear Creek Amana 50

Championship

Sioux City Heelan 54, Norwalk 50

Class 3A

THE SCHEDULE

Quarterfinals

Monday, 5 p.m. — No. 1 Mount Vernon (22-2) vs. No. 9 Cherokee (20-3)

Monday, 6:45 p.m. — No. 4 Dubuque Wahlert (18-5) vs. No. 5 Williamsburg (20-5)

Monday, 8:30 p.m. — No. 2 Maquoketa (21-4) vs. No. 8 Mediapolis (24-0)

Tuesday, 10 a.m. — No. 3 Des Moines Christian (22-3) vs. No. 7 Forest City (22-3)

Semifinals

Thursday, 1:30 p.m. — Top bracket

Thursday, 3:15 p.m. — Bottom bracket

Championship

Friday, 8 p.m. — Semifinal winners

THE FAVORITE

Reigning champion Mount Vernon returns in an effort to repeat in 3A, and the Mustangs return one of the state’s most dynamic backcourts, in any class. Twins Taylor and Courtney Franck have signed with UNI and Wayne State (Neb.), respectively, and their sophomore stepsister, Savanna Wright, leads the team in scoring (17.4 ppg). Jacob Misener (22-2) is in his first year as head coach after spending the last four seasons as an assistant under Nate Sanderson. The Mustangs are champions of the Wamac Conference East Division, and have won 20 consecutive games.

OTHER LOCALS

After making its state debut last season in Class 4A, Maquoketa returns all five starters and is hoping for big things in its new classification. The Cardinals opened the season at No. 1. Three of their four losses came to Class 5A top-10 teams; the other came against 4A qualifier Central DeWitt. Senior Cora Widel (15.8 ppg), an Upper Iowa University signee, was the River Valley Conference North Division player of the year, leading the Cardinals to a 14-0 divisional record. Like Widel, classmate Aubrey Kroymann (12.6 ppg, 6.8 rpg) crossed the 1,000-point threshold this season. Coach Chad Specht is in his third year at Maquoketa (62-11), his sixth overall (112-23).

Balance and depth have carried Williamsburg to its second consecutive state tournament; the Raiders have qualified four times total. The Raiders advanced to the 3A semifinals last year before bowing to Dubuque Wahlert, which they face again Monday in Round 1. All five starters average between 7.3 and 11.7 points per game, led by 6-foot-1 senior Zoe Allen. Kennedy Skaggs (7.3 ppg) is the other senior starter. Coach Stephanie (Rich) Dacey was a 2,000-point scorer as a player, leading Washington (Iowa) to three consecutive state titles (1999-2001). Dacey owns a 63-34 record in four years. The Raiders allow 36.5 points per game.

THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH

Diedra Doeden, 6-3, jr., Cherokee — Second for the Braves in scoring behind fellow junior Addy Wolfswinkel (19.7 ppg), Doeden nets 16.8 points and 13.1 rebounds per game, shooting 61.3 percent from the floor. Will play volleyball at Wichita State.

Emily Tanny, 6-1, fr., Dubuque Wahlert — The daughter of former Iowa player Amy (Herrig) Tanny. Averages 20.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game, shooting 36.2 percent from 3-point range and 76.8 percent from the line.

Savanna Wright, 5-5, soph., Mount Vernon — Started as a freshman on the Mustangs’ 3A state-championship team. Averages 17.4 points and 3.1 steals per game, shooting 38.0 percent from long range and 82.6 percent from the line.

LINDER’S PREDICTIONS

Quarterfinals

Mount Vernon 49, Cherokee 43

Williamsburg 43, Dubuque Wahlert 42

Maquoketa 54, Mediapolis 42

Forest City 50, Des Moines Christian 48

Semifinals

Mount Vernon 46, Williamsburg 42

Maquoketa 50, Forest City 46

Championship

Mount Vernon 47, Maquoketa 45

Class 2A

THE SCHEDULE

Quarterfinals

Tuesday, 6:45 p.m. — No. 1 Hinton (20-1) vs. No. 9 West Lyon (17-7)

Tuesday, 8:30 p.m. — No. 4 Denver (22-2) vs. No. 5 Emmetsburg (23-2)

Wednesday, 10 a.m. — No. 2 Rock Valley (22-2) vs. No. 8 Iowa City Regina (19-5)

Wednesday, 11:45 a.m. — No. 3 Central Lyon (19-4) vs. No. 6 Treynor (21-2)

Semifinals

Friday, 10 a.m. — Top bracket

Friday, 11:45 a.m. — Bottom bracket

Championship

Saturday, 4:45 p.m. — Semifinal winners

THE FAVORITE

Pick your Northwest Iowa powerhouse (and you have options). Defending champion Hinton is the reigning champion and leads a pack of four strong teams in close proximity (along with the Siouxland Conference trio of Rock Valley, Central Lyon and West Lyon). The Blackhawks bring back four starters from last year’s 26-0 team. Only loss came Dec. 4, a 45-44 setback against West Lyon, its quarterfinal opponent Tuesday night. They have won 18 consecutive games since.

THE LOCALS

Iowa City Regina has qualified for the ninth time in the last 15 years. The Regals advanced to the semifinals three times in that span, most recently last season. Three starters graduated from that team, but sophomore Addie McLaughlin has emerged as the leader, scoring 22.4 points per game. Adalee Klein provides a defensive presence in the post; she blocked seven shots in the regional-final victory over Grundy Center. Mary Rogers is in her seventh season as head coach and sports a 130-38 record. The Regals’ five losses came to three 3A teams, a 4A and a 5A.

THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH

Sydney Doeschot, 5-7, sr., Hinton — Averages 21.9 points, 5.0 assists and 4.8 steals per game. Shoots 49.5 percent from the field, 34.8 percent from 3-point range and 74.7 percent from the line.

Addie McLaughlin, 5-5, soph., Iowa City Regina — Needs 20 points to become a rare sophomore with 1,000 career points. Averages 22.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 4.9 steals per game. Shoots 47.6 percent from the floor, 36.2 percent from distance.

Hudsyn & Haevyn Ranschau, 5-9 srs., Rock Valley — The twins combine for 42.4 points per game; Hudsyn scores at a 23.6-point clip, Haevyn at 18.8. Hudsyn averages 4.2 rebounds per game, Haevyn 3.6.

LINDER’S PREDICTIONS

Quarterfinals

Hinton 51, West Lyon 46

Emmetsburg 44, Denver 42

Rock Valley 56, Iowa City Regina 48

Central Lyon 50, Treynor 47

Semifinals

Hinton 50, Emmetsburg 44

Rock Valley 58, Central Lyon 53

Championship

Rock Valley 56, Hinton 55

Class 1A

THE SCHEDULE

Quarterfinals

Wednesday, 1:30 p.m. — No. 1 Algona Garrigan (22-2) vs. No. 15 Lansing Kee (17-7)

Wednesday, 3:15 p.m. — No. 5 Lynnville-Sully (24-0) vs. No. 6 Dunkerton (22-2)

Wednesday, 5 p.m. — No. 2 Newell-Fonda (22-2) vs. No. 14 Saint Ansgar (20-4)

Wednesday, 6:45 p.m. — No. 3 Council Bluffs St. Albert (21-3) vs. No. 7 Exira-EHK (22-1)

Semifinals

Friday, 1:30 p.m. — Top bracket

Friday, 3:15 p.m. — Bottom bracket

Championship

Saturday, 7 p.m. — Semifinal winners

THE FAVORITE

Give top-ranked Algona Garrigan an ever-so-slight edge over reigning champion Council Bluffs St. Albert and perennial contender Newell-Fonda. The Golden Bears have qualified for the seventh consecutive year. Four starters are back from a team that advanced to last year’s 1A semifinals, led by junior forward Graclyn Eastman. Garrigan has the most prolific offense in the state (any class) at 73 points per game and beats its opponents by nearly 40 per contest. The Golden Bears led Lake Mills by just four points at halftime in their regional final before pulling away for a 55-33 victory.

THE LOCALS

The biggest postseason surprise has come from Lansing Kee. If you’re a believer of the BC Moore computer, you would have seen the Hawks as a 24-point regional-final underdog to Springville. But they sprung the upset in stunningly convincing fashion, 55-43. Rylee Mudderman and Addison Winters scored 16 points apiece. Thus, Kee is a state qualifier for the third time (the others were 2016 and 2018). Mudderman (17.7 ppg), a junior, is one of the state’s best in steals while Winters, a senior, averages a double-double. Ben Wagner is in the seventh year of his second stint as Kee head coach; his 17-year record is 214-161.

THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH

Graclyn Eastman, 6-0, jr., Algona Garrigan — Averages 17.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game, shooting 57.5 percent from the floor and 70.1 percent from the line.

Taryn Petersen, 5-8, jr., Exira-EHK — Averages 20.0 points, 5.5 assists and 6.3 steals per game, shooting 41.4 percent from the field and 70.6 percent from the line.

Avah Underwood, 6-0, sr., Council Bluffs St. Albert — Averages 12.5 points and 10.9 rebounds per game, shooting 47.2 percent from the floor.

LINDER’S PREDICTIONS

Quarterfinals

Algona Garrigan 61, Lansing Kee 38

Dunkerton 47, Lynnville-Sully 45

Newell-Fonda 54, Saint Ansgar 41

Council Bluffs St. Albert 51, Exira-EHK 44

Semifinals

Algona Garrigan 57, Dunkerton 45

Newell-Fonda 52, Council Bluffs St. Albert 50

Championship

Algona Garrigan 48, Newell-Fonda 44

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com