Iowa girls’ state basketball 2024: 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 3A quarterfinals

No. 4 Mount Vernon (21-3) vs. No. 6 Harlan (20-3)

Time: 6:45 p.m.

Top players: A Louisville volleyball commit, Chloe Meester (6-2, jr.) is Mount Vernon’s leader in scoring (13.4 ppg), rebounds (8.1) and blocks (3.1). Sydney Huber (6-0, jr.) adds 12.5 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. Aubrey Schwieso (5-10, jr.) paces Harlan at 14.5 points and 4.6 assists per game. Erica Rust (6-0, sr.) adds 14.1 points and 9.2 rebounds per contest.

Coaches: Nate Sanderson has compiled a 248-217 record in 22 seasons, including 49-22 in three years at Mount Vernon. He coached Springville to a pair of 1A titles in 2016 and 2017. Zach Klaassen owns a 201-79 record in 12 years at Harlan.

Tournament history: Mount Vernon has qualified for the sixth time, the first since 2016. The Mustangs were 2A champions in 2010. Harlan is in for the 15th time, the first since 2021. The Cyclones won back-to-back 4A titles in 2014 and 2015.

BC Moore computer projection: Mount Vernon by 12.

No. 8 Benton Community (18-6) vs. No. 2 Des Moines Christian (23-1)

Time: 8:30 p.m.

Top players: Emma Townsley (5-8, sr.) leads Benton with 15.3 points, 5.0 assists and 3.0 steals per game. McKenna Kramer (5-8, sr.) has connected on 81 3-pointers this season, and is good for 13.1 ppg. Abby Hall (5-8, sr.) paces Des Moines Christian at 12.0 points per game.

Coaches: Jeff Zittergruen has compiled a 96-46 record in six years at Benton. Christopher Harken is 57-56 in five seasons overall, 23-1 in one year at DMC.

Tournament history: Last year’s 3A runner-up, Benton has qualified for the sixth time, its third in a row. Van Horne won the six-player championship in 1962, Newhall in 1927. DMC is a six-time qualifier, with all appearances since 2014.

BC Moore computer projection: Benton by 6.

Recommended Reading

Benton Community earns its third consecutive girls’ state basketball berth

Monday’s other games

Class 5A quarterfinals

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.

Class 3A Quarterfinals

No. 1 Estherville ELC (22-2) vs. No. 12 Forest City (21-3), 5 p.m.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com