Iowa high school boys’ state basketball 2024: Class 4A qualifiers, bracket, schedule

The last eight spots in the 2024 Iowa high school boys’ state basketball tournament were filled Tuesday night in Class 4A substate finals. Here’s a look at Tuesday’s scores, plus the 4A state tournament bracket and schedule released by the Iowa High School Athletic Association.

Tuesday’s Class 4A Iowa high school boys’ basketball substate finals

Johnston 59, No. 3 Sioux City East 54

A 16-9 third quarter helped propel Johnston (14-9) to state for the first time since back-to-back runner-up finishes in 2021 and 2022. The Dragons were eliminated in last year’s substate semifinals by Sioux City East, which finished this season 21-3.

No. 2 West Des Moines Valley 75, Norwalk 64

Reigning champion Valley (18-5) is headed back to state with its second double-digit win over Norwalk (18-6) this season. The Tigers also beat the Warriors in last year’s state quarterfinals on their way to the title.

Bettendorf 55, No. 7 Iowa City West 52 (OT)

Bettendorf (17-6) held Iowa City West (19-4) to one point in the overtime period to pull off the upset in the Alliant Energy PowerHouse opener and advance to the state tournament for the first time since 2017.

More coverage: Game story from Jeff Johnson | Photos from Jim Slosiarek

No. 1 Cedar Rapids Kennedy 57, North Scott 55

Joe Bean made a pair of free throws with 4.6 seconds left to break a 55-55 tie and keep Cedar Rapids Kennedy undefeated. North Scott (16-7) stayed close despite falling behind 12-0 in the first quarter and 32-23 at halftime in the Alliant Energy PowerHouse nightcap. Kennedy is state bound for the third year in a row.

More coverage: Game story from Jeff Johnson | Photos from Jim Slosiarek

No. 6 Dubuque Senior 49, No. 9 Pleasant Valley 46

Pleasant Valley beat Dubuque Senior by three points in a substate final last season. The Rams (21-2) turned the tables on the Spartans (17-6) this year. Tevin Schultz scored 20 points to help get the Rams’ first state tournament bid since 2021.

No. 4 Cedar Falls 62, Waukee Northwest 42

Cedar Falls (20-3) raced to a 16-9 first-quarter lead, was up 30-17 at halftime and clinched its sixth state tournament bid in seven years after missing out last season. That run includes titles in 2018 and 2019. Northwest finished 15-9 and will miss out on state for the first time after qualifying in its first two years.

Dallas Center-Grimes 66, No. 5 Waukee 59

Dallas Center-Grimes is state bound in Class 4A, two years after winning the Class 3A championship. The Mustangs (20-3) and Waukee (16-8) were tied at 29 at halftime.

No. 8 Ankeny 64, No. 10 Ankeny Centennial 41

Ankeny (17-6) lost to Centennial (17-7) in December but has responded with back-to-back wins in February, including a 76-63 regular-season win. This one obviously means the most. The Hawks head to state for the second time in three years.

Class 4A Iowa high school boys’ state basketball tournament

Quarterfinals — Wednesday, March 6

No. 1 Cedar Rapids Kennedy (23-0) vs. Dallas Center-Grimes (20-3), 10:30 a.m.

No. 6 Dubuque Senior (21-2) vs. No. 8 Ankeny (17-6), 12:15 p.m.

No. 2 West Des Moines Valley (18-5) vs. Johnston (14-9), 2 p.m.

No. 4 Cedar Falls (20-3) vs. Bettendorf (17-6), 3:45 p.m.

Semifinals — Thursday, March 7

5:30 p.m.

7:15 p.m.

Championship — Friday, March 8

7 p.m.

Comments: nathan.ford@thegazette.com