Move to 5 classes to sit on shelf until May

DES MOINES -- A shift to five classes in several girls' high school sports in Iowa isn't a foregone conclusion, after all.

No action was taken on the subject during the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union's Board of Directors meeting Friday.

"The board is requesting more information, and we'll see where that goes at the next meeting (in May)," said Mike Dick, executive director of the Union.

A five-class move seemed to be imminent before Friday.

"There had been enough support to keep investigating. I thought there might be a decision today," Dick said.

If a move is made, it will impact four girls' sports -- basketball, softball, volleyball and golf. All of those sports are currently split four ways based on enrollment.

The top 48 schools are in 4A, the next 64 are in 3A, the next 128 in 2A and everybody else in 1A.

In Dick's favorite five-class model, 40 schools will be in 5A, 48 in 4A, 64 in 3A, 96 in 2A and the rest in 1A.

That would mean eight schools would drop out of the big-school class. Under current enrollment figures, those schools would be Western Dubuque, Cedar Rapids Xavier, Newton, Lewis Central, North Scott, Indianola, Davenport North and Des Moines Hoover.

"The No. 1 reason for a switch would be to give eight more schools the opportunity to experience this atmosphere," Dick said. "I think it's good for kids.

"But I'd be lying if I didn't say we hope to make some money out of it."

If the Union board approves the measure in May, it could be instituted in time for the 2012 softball season.

Tracking the race for Miss Iowa Basketball

Sportswriters from around the state will gather downtown Saturday to select the Iowa Newspaper Association all-state teams.

The race for Miss Iowa Basketball 2011 appears to be a four-girl battle:

Kiah Stokes, Linn-Mar: Averaged a state-high 25.1 points and 14.8 rebounds per game as the Lions finished 22-3 and reached the 4A state semifinals. Shot nearly 70 percent from the floor. Led team to the 2010 4A title. The state's all-time leading shot-blocker. Signed with Connecticut.

Taylor Greenfield, Ballard: Averaged 20.1 points per game as the Bombers finished 24-2 and reached the 3A state semifinals. Accumulated 79 assists to only 20 turnovers. Led team to the 2009 3A title. Signed with Stanford.

Markisha Wright, Des Moines East: Averaged 15.7 points and 8.9 rebounds as the Scarlets advanced to Saturday's 4A championship game with a 25-0 mark. Shot 78 percent from the free throw line. Signed with Notre Dame.

Virginia Johnson, Iowa City High: Averaged 23.0 points and 10.1 rebounds per game as the Little Hawks finished 17-6 and reached the 4A regional finals. Shot 64 percent from the field. Led team to the 2008 4A title. Signed with Iowa.