Iowa high school girls’ state basketball 2024: Brackets, predictions, top players and more

DES MOINES — The Dike Dynasty is expected to make a triumphant conclusion this week.

Long considered a volleyball-first school in girls’ athletics, Dike-New Hartford goes after its fourth Class 2A girls’ basketball championship Saturday at Wells Fargo Arena.

The Wolverines look to join Ankeny (4A, 2002-05) as the second four-time champion in Iowa’s five-player game. And they are one of five defending champs to make it back to Des Moines.

There will, however, be a new champion in 3A; Sioux Center is now a 4A contestant.

All of last year’s 10 finalists return for the 103rd tournament, and 16 of 20 semifinalists.

Action begins at 10 a.m. Monday at Wells Fargo Arena; top-ranked Johnston faces West Des Moines Valley in a Class 5A quarterfinal.

The Dragons and the Tigers are two of five CIML qualifiers in 5A. For the second straight year, the Metro/Iowa City region was shut out in the big-school class.

Seven area teams have qualified, and none can be classified as strangers. North Linn is making its sixth consecutive appearance, Benton Community its third, Solon and Clear Creek Amana their second.

Mount Vernon is back for the first time since 2016; Montezuma last qualified in 2021, Cascade in 2022.

The following are thumbnails on each of the five classes:

Class 5A

THE SCHEDULE

Quarterfinals

Monday, 10 a.m.— No. 1 Johnston (23-0) vs. No. 9 West Des Moines Valley (13-10)

Monday, 11:45 a.m. — No. 4 Waukee (18-4) vs. No. 5 Ankeny Centennial (14-8)

Monday, 1:30 p.m. — No. 2 Davenport North (22-2) vs. No. 7 Cedar Falls (22-1)

Monday, 3:15 p.m. — No. 3 West Des Moines Dowling (19-4) vs. No. 6 Pleasant Valley (19-4)

Semifinals

Thursday, 10 a.m. — Top bracket

Thursday, 11:45 a.m. — Bottom bracket

Championship

Friday, 6 p.m. — Semifinal winners

THE FAVORITE

Johnston is on the verge of reaching “dynasty” status. Ranked 19th nationally, the Dragons have been in the finals for each of the past four years and aim to win their third championship in the past five years. Last year’s 5A runners-up brought back three stars in seniors Aili Tanke and Aaliyah Riley and sophomore Jenica Lewis, and the transfer of junior Amani Jenkins further separates them from the pack.

THE LOCALS

For the second straight season, no area teams qualified in Class 5A. Cedar Rapids Prairie, Cedar Rapids Washington and Iowa City West reached the regional-final level.

THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH

Divine Bourrage, 6-0, jr., Davenport North — Averages 19.6 points, 9.2 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game. Shoots 44.0 percent from the field and 74.7 percent from the line.

Grace Knutson, 5-10, sr., Cedar Falls — Drake signee averages 22.7 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. Shoots 39.4 percent from 3-point range and 76.0 percent from the line.

Ava Zediker, 5-10, jr., West Des Moines Dowling — Creighton commit averages 18.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. Shoots 45.9 percent from the field, 43.1 percent from 3-point range and 81.7 percent from the line.

LINDER’S PREDICTIONS

Quarterfinals

Johnston 61, West Des Moines Valley 42

Ankeny Centennial 47, Waukee 45

Cedar Falls 50, Davenport North 44

West Des Moines Dowling 51, Pleasant Valley 43

Semifinals

Johnston 56, Ankeny Centennial 45

West Des Moines Dowling 54, Cedar Falls 42

Championship

Johnston 59, West Des Moines Dowling 51

Class 4A

THE SCHEDULE

Quarterfinals

Tuesday, 11:45 a.m. — No. 1 Clear Creek Amana (23-0) vs. Gilbert (15-9)

Tuesday, 1:30 p.m. — No. 4 Dallas Center-Grimes (20-3) vs. No. 5 North Polk (22-2)

Tuesday, 3:15 p.m. — No. 2 Waverly-Shell Rock (23-0) vs. Sioux Center (17-6)

Tuesday, 5 p.m. — No. 3 Sioux City Heelan (22-1) vs. No. 8 Lewis Central (19-4)

Semifinals

Thursday, 5 p.m. — Top bracket

Thursday, 6:45 p.m. — Bottom bracket

Championship

Saturday, 2:30 p.m. — Semifinal winners

THE FAVORITE

Top-ranked Clear Creek Amana is making its third trip to state (the others were in 2020 and 2023), and the Clippers are seeking their first win in Des Moines. The champion of the Wamac Conference West Division, CCA is the 4A leader in scoring defense (31.2 ppg allowed) and second in offense (63.7 ppg). Sophomore Averie Lower was the divisional player of the year.

THE LOCALS

Clear Creek Amana was the only area team to qualify in 4A. Maquoketa, Western Dubuque and Cedar Rapids Xavier advanced to the regional finals and lost close games (Xavier in overtime).

THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH

Averie Lower, 5-11, soph., Clear Creek Amana — Averages 17.8 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. Dead-eye shooter converts 58.8 percent from the field, 48.4 percent from 3-point range and 87.1 percent from the line.

Melina Snoozy, 5-11, fr., Sioux City Heelan — Averages a 4A-tournament-field-high 18.1 points per game. Shoots 54.2 percent from the field, 44.1 percent from long distance and 74.3 percent from the line.

Abby Tuttle, 5-9, jr., North Polk — UNI commit averages 15.5 points and 4.3 assists per game. Shoots 46.8 percent from the floor, 55.8 percent from 3-point range and 77.7 percent from the line.

LINDER’S PREDICTIONS

Quarterfinals

Clear Creek Amana 55, Gilbert 39

Dallas Center-Grimes 45, North Polk 44

Waverly-Shell Rock 50, Sioux Center 43

Sioux City Heelan 49, Lewis Central 39

Semifinals

Clear Creek Amana 48, Dallas Center-Grimes 42

Sioux City Heelan 46, Waverly-Shell Rock 41

Championship

Sioux City Heelan 46, Clear Creek Amana 44

Class 3A

THE SCHEDULE

Quarterfinals

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

Monday, 6:45 p.m. — No. 4 Mount Vernon (21-3) vs. No. 6 Harlan (20-3)

Monday, 8:30 p.m. — No. 2 Des Moines Christian (23-1) vs. No. 8 Benton Community (18-6)

Tuesday, 10 a.m. — No. 3 Solon (21-3) vs. No. 7 Dubuque Wahlert (19-5)

Semifinals

Thursday, 1:30 p.m. — Top bracket

Thursday, 3:15 p.m. — Bottom bracket

Championship

Friday, 8 p.m. — Semifinal winners

THE FAVORITE

No. 1 Estherville-Lincoln Central won the 3A title in 2022, then was upset in the first round in last year’s state tournament by Vinton-Shellsburg. The Midgets have a pair of wins over 1A No. 2 Newell-Fonda and carry a 14-game win streak to Des Moines.

THE LOCALS

The preseason No. 1 and a 2023 state semifinalist, Solon scores at a 64.0-point rate and is spearheaded by senior guard Callie Levin (22.4 points per game), a University of Iowa recruit who leads the Spartans in most categories. Senior Hailey Miller adds 13.5 ppg. Solon has won nine straight games and won its three regional contests by an average of 49.7 points.

Three years removed from a one-win season, Mount Vernon has qualified for the first time since 2016. Coach Nate Sanderson won a pair of 1A titles at Springville in 2016 and 2017. The Mustangs split with Solon in their two meetings and captured the Wamac Conference East Division title. Posts Chloe Meester and Brynley Rasmussen combine to shoot 59 percent.

Benton Community is back for the third straight year; the Bobcats were 3A runners-up last season. Four starters from that team are back, including seniors Emma Townsley (15.3 ppg) and long-range whiz McKenna Kramer (13.1 ppg). Benton has won seven consecutive games.

THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH

Callie Levin, 5-11, sr., Solon — University of Iowa signee averages 22.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 4.5 steals and 5.1 assists per game. Shoots 44.1 percent from the floor, 38.5 percent from 3-point range and 77.2 percent from the line. 1,928 career points.

Haylee Stoakes, 5-6, jr., Estherville ELC — Minnesota State recruit leads the 3A field at 24.0 points per game, and also posts 6.8 assists and 5.6 steals per contest. Shoots 42.2 percent from the field, 79.7 percent from the line.

Emma Townsley, 5-8, sr., Benton Community — Averages 15.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 3.3 steals per game.

LINDER’S PREDICTIONS

Quarterfinals

Estherville ELC 51, Forest City 39

Mount Vernon 50, Harlan 43

Benton Community 46, Des Moines Christian 41

Solon 52, Dubuque Wahlert 46

Semifinals

Estherville ELC 48, Mount Vernon 45

Solon 51, Benton Community 42

Championship

Solon 48, Estherville ELC 46

Class 2A

THE SCHEDULE

Quarterfinals

Tuesday, 6:45 p.m. — No. 1 Dike-New Hartford (23-2) vs. No. 11 Cascade (17-6)

Tuesday, 8:30 p.m. — No. 4 Sioux Central (22-1) vs. No. 5 Eddyville EBF (23-1)

Wednesday, 10 a.m. — No. 2 Panorama (23-1) vs. No. 9 Grundy Center (21-2)

Wednesday, 11:45 a.m. — No. 3 Westwood (21-0) vs. No. 7 Central Lyon (20-3)

Semifinals

Friday, 10 a.m. — Top bracket

Friday, 11:45 a.m. — Bottom bracket

Championship

Saturday, 4:45 p.m. — Semifinal winners

THE FAVORITE

No. 1 Dike-New Hartford looks to join Ankeny (4A, 2002-05) as the only five-player teams in state history to win four consecutive championships. The Wolverines have posted a 100-5 record through this run, including 23-2 this season. Seniors Payton Petersen, Jadyn Petersen and Maryn Bixby also have been on three state-title teams in volleyball. DNH’s two losses have come by a total of four points, to Solon and North Polk, title hopefuls in 3A and 4A.

THE LOCALS

Cascade has qualified for the 11th time, the ninth in the last 12 years. That run included a 2A title in 2018. Coach Mike Sconsa has posted a 385-82 record in 19 years. The Cougars navigated a rocky postseason path in which their three wins came by a total of 17 points. That includes a 32-30 overtime win over Dyersville Beckman in the first round, and a 50-47 victory over No. 6 Iowa City Regina in the regional finals.

THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH

Tyme Boettcher, 5-11, sr., Panorama — Averages 19.9 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. Shoots 36.9 percent from 3-point range and 87.1 percent from the line.

Payton Petersen, 5-11, sr., Dike-New Hartford — Bound to play volleyball at the University of Louisville. Averages 17.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 4.2 steals per game. Shoots 59.9 percent from the field.

Molly Shafer, 6-0, jr., Eddyville EBF — Another volleyball-first player (she has committed to UNI), she averages 18.9 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 3.3 steals per game. Shoots 62.3 percent from the floor.

LINDER’S PREDICTIONS

Quarterfinals

Dike-New Hartford 53, Cascade 36

Sioux Central 49, Eddyville EBF 46

Panorama 46, Grundy Center 40

Central Lyon 46, Westwood 44

Semifinals

Dike-New Hartford 52, Sioux Central 41

Central Lyon 48, Panorama 45

Championship

Dike-New Hartford 50, Central Lyon 42

Class 1A

THE SCHEDULE

Quarterfinals

Wednesday, 1:30 p.m. — No. 1 North Linn (23-1) vs. No. 9 Montezuma (20-4)

Wednesday, 3:15 p.m. — No. 4 Council Bluffs St. Albert (22-1) vs. No. 5 Algona Garrigan (23-1)

Wednesday, 5 p.m. — No. 2 Newell-Fonda (22-2) vs. No. 7 Calamus-Wheatland (24-1)

Wednesday, 6:45 p.m. — No. 3 Remsen St. Mary’s (23-0) vs. No. 6 Martensdale-St. Marys (18-6)

Semifinals

Friday, 1:30 p.m. — Top bracket

Friday, 3:15 p.m. — Bottom bracket

Championship

Saturday, 7 p.m. — Semifinal winners

THE FAVORITE

North Linn is in the midst of its 14th consecutive 20-win season and is making its sixth straight voyage to Wells Fargo. Brian Wheatley holds a 394-90 record in a massively successful 20-year run. The Lynx are fueled by senior Kamryn Kurt and the Boge sisters — Macy is a senior, Molly a junior. That trio accounts for 47.7 points, 13.0 assists and 11.5 steals per game. The Lynx amassed 26 steals and forced 34 turnovers in a 66-34 regional-final rout of Edgewood-Colesburg.

OTHER LOCALS

After leading Montezuma to state twice in the 1990s as a player, Janel (Grimm) Burgess has coached the Bravettes to five state appearances in the past seven years. Tied at halftime with Anita CAM in its regional final, Montezuma pulled away in the second half for a 60-47 win behind 20 points from senior Jadyn Sharer and 13 apiece from juniors Ellen Cook and Shiressa Wetering.

THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH

Graclyn Eastman, 6-0, fr., Algona Garrigan — Averages 16.8 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. Shoots 55.1 percent from the floor.

Kierra Jungers, 5-11, sr., Newell-Fonda — Averages 15.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. Shoots 58.6 percent from the field, 70.7 percent from the line.

Kamryn Kurt, 5-6, sr., North Linn — Averages 18.6 points, 5.6 assists and 3.8 steals per game. Shoots 52.4 percent from the floor, 41.8 percent from 3-point range and 72.2 percent from the line.

LINDER’S PREDICTIONS

Quarterfinals

North Linn 61, Montezuma 36

Council Bluffs St. Albert 45, Algona Garrigan 44

Newell-Fonda 59, Calamus-Wheatland 38

Remsen St. Mary’s 50, Martensdale-St. Marys 42

Semifinals

North Linn 51, Council Bluffs St. Albert 45

Newell-Fonda 55, Remsen St. Mary’s 43

Championship

Newell-Fonda 55, North Linn 52

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com