Iowa girls’ state basketball 2025: A closer look at Monday’s games

DES MOINES — Capsules for Monday’s games involving area teams at the Iowa high school girls' state basketball tournament at Wells Fargo Arena.

Class 5A quarterfinals

No. 10 IOWA CITY LIBERTY (17-6) vs. No. 1 JOHNSTON (23-0)

Time: 10 a.m.

Top players: Liberty is led by South Dakota commit Natalie Ramsey (6-0, jr.) who averages 22.0 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. Madeline Casey (5-8, sr.) adds 12.7 points per game, and has connected on 57 3-pointers. Johnston’s Jenica Lewis (5-10, jr.) is considered one of the nation’s top 2026 prospects. She averages 18.6 points, 3.1 assists and 3.4 steals per game. Amani Jenkins (6-1, sr.) adds 15.7 points and 8.0 rebounds per game and is a Virginia Tech signee.

Coaches: Liberty’s Jaime Brandt is in her 10th year of coaching, and has posted a 111-101 record. That includes 63-77 in seven seasons at Liberty. Chad Jilek has been at Johnston for 13 years, and owns a record of 263-54 there. He is 282-121 overall.

Tournament history: Liberty is making its state-tournament debut. Johnston has qualified for the 15th time, and the Dragons’ 11 consecutive appearances ties a state record with West Des Moines Dowling (1996-2006) and Mediapolis (1965-76). Johnston won championships in 2020, 2022 and 2024, and has been to five straight 5A finals.

BC Moore computer projection: Johnston by 35.

No. 6 CEDAR RAPIDS PRAIRIE (20-4) vs. No. 3 WAUKEE NORTHWEST (18-4)

Time: 3:15 p.m.

Top players: There is no weak link in Prairie’s starting lineup. All five players average at least 7 points per game, led by the trio of Emily Larsen (5-11, jr., 15.8 ppg), Asia Beale (5-8, sr., 15.7 ppg) and KeaOnna Worley (5-3, soph., 12.8 ppg). Northwest does not have a senior on its roster, but plenty of young talent led by Romey Croatt (5-9, soph.) at 14.1 ppg and Vana Bilic (5-8, jr.) at 11.3.

Coaches: When Prairie hired Bruce Dall (first year, 20-4), it hired a proven winner. In 30 years overall, he is 563-148 with five state championships. Sam Powell is in his second year at Northwest, where he owns a 28-16 record. He carries a 282-104 career record in 17 seasons.

Tournament history: Prairie is making its fifth state trip, its first since 2020. The Hawks advanced to the semifinals in 2005 and 2006. Northwest is making its tournament debut.

BC Moore computer projection: Northwest by 6.

Class 3A quarterfinals

No. 1 MOUNT VERNON (23-1) vs. WEST MARSHALL (19-5)

Time: 5 p.m.

Top players: All five Mount Vernon starters can sting you. Evansville signee Sydney Huber (6-0, sr.) leads the team in scoring at 15.4 points per game, and post Chloe Meester (6-3, sr.) adds 14.8 points and 9.6 rebounds per contest. West Marshall’s Bella Borgos (5-8, sr.) is a productive player outside, averaging 19.5 points per game; she has hit 73 3-pointers. Lily Zahnd (5-11, sr.) adds 11.1 points and 10.5 rebounds per contest.

Coaches: Nate Sanderson is 271-219 in 23 years of coaching, including 72-24 in four seasons at Mount Vernon. He won a pair of 1A titles at Springville (2016, ‘17). Cody Hackett has produced a 33-13 record in two seasons at West Marshall.

Tournament history: Mount Vernon is making its seventh appearance, its second straight. The Mustangs captured a 2A title in 2010 and was the 3A runner-up the following year. West Marshall has qualified for the 12th time.

BC Moore computer projection: Mount Vernon by 34.

Monday’s other games

Class 5A quarterfinals

No. 4 Ankeny Centennial (16-7) vs. No. 5 Pleasant Valley (19-4), 11:45 p.m.

No. 2 West Des Moines Dowling (20-3) vs. No. 7 Davenport North (19-4), 1:30 p.m.

Class 3A Quarterfinals

No. 5 Cherokee (21-3) vs. No. 6 Estherville-Lincoln Central (20-3), 6:45 p.m.

No. 2 Dubuque Wahlert (19-4) vs. No. 12 Spirit Lake (17-7), 8:30 p.m.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com