IGHSAU releases preseason girls’ basketball rankings

The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union released its preseason girls’ basketball rankings Friday, and three reigning state champions are among the No. 1 teams.

Estherville-Lincoln Central, Dike-New Hartford and Algona Garrigan are the top-ranked teams in classes 3A, 2A and 1A.

Last year’s runners-up, Waterloo West and Sioux City Heelan start on top in 5A and 4A.

West returns veterans Sahara Williams, an Oklahoma recruit, and Halli Poock. Defending-champion Johnston is No. 2, followed by Ankeny Centennial, Pleasant Valley and West Des Moines Valley.

Heelan’s reign at No. 1 will be put to the test early; the Crusaders face 4A No. 2 Cedar Rapids Xavier at Rivalry Saturday on Nov. 26. That’s a rematch of last year’s title game, won by the Saints, 54-40.

Dallas Center-Grimes, North Polk and North Scott round out the 4A top five.

ELC is followed in 3A by Unity Christian, Davenport Assumption, West Marshall and Benton Community.

Benton, No. 7 Vinton-Shellsburg and No. 8 Center Point-Urbana make it three Wamac Conference West Division teams in the top eight.

Dike-New Hartford has won the last two 2A titles and is a heavy favorite to make it three straight. Last year’s runner-up, Central Lyon is No. 2, then it’s Sibley-Ocheyedan, Underwood and Treynor.

Garrigan broke through with a title last year after back-to-back runner-up finishes, and returns Iowa State recruit Audi Crooks. Perennial powers Newell-Fonda and North Linn and second and third, followed by Remsen St. Mary’s and Westwood.

The rankings:

Class 5A

1. Waterloo West (23-3)

2. Johnston (26-0)

3. Ankeny Centennial (20-4)

4. Pleasant Valley (22-4)

5. West Des Moines Valley (19-6)

6. West Des Moines Dowling (18-6)

7. Iowa City West (19-4)

8. Southeast Polk (13-10)

9. Ankeny (16-7)

10. Des Moines Roosevelt (20-3)

11. Des Moines North (16-7)

12. Davenport North (12-11)

13. Iowa City Liberty (12-11)

14. Waukee (11-12)

15. Linn-Mar (15-8)

Class 4A

1. Sioux City Heelan (23-3)

2. Cedar Rapids Xavier (20-6)

3. Dallas Center-Grimes (21-4)

4. North Polk (18-5)

5. North Scott (14-9)

6. Ballard (23-4)

7. Decorah (15-7)

8. Clear Creek Amana (16-7)

9. Lewis Central (12-11)

10. Indianola (17-5)

11. Glenwood (20-5)

12. Gilbert (14-9)

13. Marion (13-8)

14. Mason City (8-14)

15. Winterset (14-9)

Class 3A

1. Estherville ELC (26-2)

2. Unity Christian (24-2)

3. Davenport Assumption (15-10)

4. West Marshall (22-3)

5. Benton Community (19-6)

6. West Liberty (19-5)

7. Vinton-Shellsburg (15-9)

8. Center Point-Urbana (21-4)

9. Osage (19-4)

10. Cherokee (15-9)

11. Des Moines Christian (17-7)

12. Grinnell (19-4)

13. Solon (15-8)

14. Clear Lake (18-5)

15. Dubuque Wahlert (9-14)

Class 2A

1. Dike-New Hartford (25-2)

2. Central Lyon (24-3)

3. Sibley-Ocheyedan (18-6)

4. Underwood (22-3)

5. Treynor (21-3)

6. Eddyville EBF (18-6)

7. Cascade (20-5)

8. Iowa City Regina (20-5)

9. Pocahontas Area (16-7)

10. Ridge View (19-5)

11. South Central Calhoun (19-6)

12. Mediapolis (21-3)

13. Logan-Magnolia (14-8)

14. West Branch (15-8)

15. West Monona (17-6)

Class 1A

1. Algona Garrigan (25-3)

2. Newell-Fonda (24-2)

3. North Linn (23-3)

4. Remsen St. Mary’s (21-3)

5. Westwood (20-3)

6. Woodbine (20-4)

7. Stanton (24-1)

8. Martensdale-St. Marys (23-2)

9. Elkader Central (19-5)

10. East Mills (19-4)

11. Montezuma (18-5)

12. West Fork (19-5)

13. Earlham (16-7)

14. Burlington Notre Dame (23-1)

15. Winfield-Mount Union (19-5)

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com