Iowa high school girls’ state basketball 2024: Class 5A qualifiers, bracket, schedule

Eight Class 5A teams earned bids to the 2024 Iowa high school girls’ state basketball tournament with wins Tuesday night. Here’s a look at Tuesday’s regional finals and the state bracket and schedule released by the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union.

The state tournament is next week at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

Tuesday’s Class 5A Iowa high school girls’ basketball regional finals

No. 1 Johnston 93, Sioux City West 51

Last year’s runner-up, Johnston (23-0) cruised to its 10th straight state tournament with a decisive victory over Sioux City West (12-11). All 23 of the Dragons’ wins this season have come by double-digit margins.

No. 2 Davenport North 53, Cedar Rapids Washington 40

Davenport North (22-2) advanced to state for the second year in a row despite Iowa commit Journey Houston missing this game and the six prior with a knee injury. Sophomore Samantha Becker scored 20 points for Cedar Rapids Washington (11-12).

» Read the full story from Gazette correspondent Matt Coss: Cedar Rapids Washington’s turnaround girls’ basketball season ends in regional finals

No. 3 West Des Moines Dowling 73, No. 14 Des Moines Roosevelt 26

Dowling (19-4) stifled Roosevelt (15-8) on its way to its fourth consecutive state tournament.

No. 4 Waukee 83, Iowa City West 58

Waukee (18-4) led 38-25 at halftime, then started the third quarter on a 14-0 run. The Warriors head back to state for the first time since 2021. The Trojans finished 13-10.

No. 5 Ankeny Centennial 53, No. 10 Sioux City East 25

Centennial (14-8) limited Sioux City East (18-6) to nine second-half points after leading 25-16 at the break. The Jaguars will make their fourth consecutive state tournament appearance.

No. 6 Pleasant Valley 52, No. 12 Waukee Northwest 43

Reigning champion Pleasant Valley (19-4) pulled away late to earn its third straight state berth. Waukee Northwest (11-12) led 22-20 at halftime, but the Spartans were up 34-30 going into the fourth.

No. 7 Cedar Falls 45, No. 11 Cedar Rapids Prairie 35

Cedar Falls (22-1) picked up its second win over Prairie (16-5) in three weeks to advance to the state tournament for the first time since 2021. It was just 15-10 Tigers at halftime.

» Read the full story from The Gazette’s Jeff Linder: Cedar Falls turns back Prairie, 45-35, in a 5A girls’ basketball regional final

No. 9 West Des Moines Valley 39, No. 8 Ankeny 36

Elan Litt’s 3-pointer with 44 seconds remaining put Valley (13-10) up 37-34 and the Tigers held on for their third straight state berth. Valley scored only five points in the first quarter, but it was tied at halftime (16-16) and going into the fourth (24-24). Ankeny ended 13-10.

Class 5A Iowa high school girls’ basketball state tournament

Quarterfinals — Monday, Feb. 26

No. 1 Johnston (23-0) vs. No. 9 West Des Moines Valley (13-10), 10 a.m.

No. 4 Waukee (18-4) vs. No. 5 Ankeny Centennial (14-8), 11:45 a.m.

No. 2 Davenport North (22-2) vs. No. 7 Cedar Falls (22-1), 1:30 p.m.

No. 3 West Des Moines Dowling (19-4) vs. No. 6 Pleasant Valley (19-4), 3:15 p.m.

Semifinals — Thursday, Feb. 29

10 a.m.

11:45 a.m.

Championship — Friday, March 1

6 p.m.

Comments: nathan.ford@thegazette.com