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

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

Class 2A quarterfinals

No. 2 IOWA CITY REGINA (23-1) vs. No. 8 MAQUOKETA VALLEY (23-2)

Time: 10 a.m.

Top players: Truman State commit Morgan Miller (5-6, sr.) has become the all-time leading scorer at Regina with 1,600-plus points and is hitting at a 20.3-point clip this season. She also provides 4.5 assists and 4.6 steals per game. Addie McLaughlin (5-5, fr.) adds 17.1 points per game. Maquoketa Valley is led by the duo of Bianka Ronnebaum (5-9, sr.) at 12.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per contest. Audra Burbridge (5-8, fr.) adds 12.4 ppg.

Coaches: Mary Rogers is in her sixth year as Regina head coach and owns a record of 110-32. Scot Moenck is 330-93 in 18 seasons at Maquoketa Valley, 369-109 in 21 overall.

Tournament history: Regina has qualified for the eighth time in the last 13 years, and the 10th time overall. The Regals advanced to the semifinals twice, in 2016 and 2017. Maquoketa Valley is here for the seventh time, its first since a runner-up finish in 2021.

BC Moore computer projection: Regina by 4.

Class 1A quarterfinals

No. 6 MONTEZUMA (19-5) vs. No. 4 ALGONA GARRIGAN (22-3)

Time: 3:15 p.m.

Top players: Four Montezuma players are averaging in double figures, led by Ellen Cook (5-6, sr.) and Vivian Cook (5-4, soph.) at 14.6 and 13.3 points per game, respectively. The Cook girls have combined for 148 3-pointers this season. Graclyn Eastman (6-0, soph.) leads Garrigan at 16.7 points and 9.9 rebounds per game, and Sasha Alesch (5-6, jr.) adds 13.0 points per contest.

Coaches: A Montezuma alum, Janel Burgess has coached eight years at her alma mater, posting a 165-30 record. Brandon Schwab owns a 267-80 mark in 14 years at Garrigan, and is 309-139 in 18 years overall.

Tournament history: Montezuma has qualified for the sixth time in the last eight seasons, and the 17th time overall. The Bravettes were back-to-back six-player champions in 1969 and 1970. Garrigan is making its 10th appearance, its sixth straight. The Golden Bears were 1A champions in 2022 and 2023 after finishing second the two prior years.

BC Moore computer projection: Garrigan by 14.

No. 2 NORTH LINN (23-1) vs. No. 8 GLADBROOK-REINBECK (21-3)

Time: 5 p.m.

Top players: North Linn’s Molly Boge (5-8, sr.) is one of the state’s top small-school guards, averaging 19.9 points, 6.1 assists and 5.1 steals per game. Emilee Beuter (5-10, sr.) adds 14.9 points and 7.9 boards per game. Gladbrook-Reinbeck gets most of its production from the junior duo of Kennedy Brant (6-0, 17.3 ppg, 12.7 rpg) and Elly Sieh (5-10, 12.7 ppg).

Coaches: Brian Wheatley is in his 21st year at North Linn and owns a record of 420-91. Amber Gerringer is 57-38 in four seasons at Gladbrook-Reinbeck.

Tournament history: North Linn is in the field for the seventh year in a row, the 10th in the last 12 seasons, the 11th in school history. The Lynx were 1A champions last year and captured the 2A title in 2020. Gladbrook-Reinbeck is making its second appearance; the first came in 1994. Reinbeck was the six-player state champion in 1952; Gladbrook won it in 1959 and 1960.

BC Moore computer projection: North Linn by 8.

No. 7 SPRINGVILLE (20-4) vs. No. 2 NEWELL-FONDA (20-4)

Time: 6:45 p.m.

Top players: South Dakota recruit Rowan Jacobi (6-2, jr.) averages 23.0 points, 13.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game to pace Springville. Addison Merritt (5-5, soph.) adds 12.6 points and 4.7 steals per contest. Kinzee Hinders (6-1, sr.) is Newell-Fonda’s leader in all major categories, averaging 19.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 3.9 steals per game. Ellie Sievers (5-7, fr.) adds 14.1 points per game.

Coaches: Christina Zaruba owns a record of 159-39 in eight seasons at Springville. Dick Jungers is in his 23rd year at Newell-Fonda and has assembled a record of 511-81.

Tournament history: Springville returns for the 10th time in school history, and is back after a two-year absence. The Orioles have captured four 1A championships (2008, 2016-18). Newell-Fonda is synonymous with girls’ state basketball, making 20 trips, and has qualified for the seventh straight year. The Mustangs have won four titles (2015, 2019-21), and have been second eight times.

BC Moore computer projection: Newell-Fonda by 11.

Wednesday’s other games

Class 2A quarterfinals

No. 3 Hinton (23-0) vs. No. 6 Rock Valley (20-3), 11:45 a.m.

Class 1A Quarterfinals

No. 1 Council Bluffs St. Albert (22-1) vs. Dunkerton (17-7), 1:30 p.m.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com