High School Basketball

The 2025 Iowa boys’ high school state basketball tournament smorgasbord: Brackets, predictions, top players and more for the coming week at Wells Fargo Arena.

Linn-Mar’s boys’ basketball team beat West Des Moines Dowling in a Class 4A substate final this past week, qualifying for the state tournament for the first time since 2012, which was the final year of a nine-year run. The Lions take a 15-game win streak and No. 2 ranking and seeding to Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

Girls’ state basketball: Cedar Rapids Xavier’s ‘overdogs’ send Tom Lilly out as a state champion. Libby Fandel (36 points, 14 rebounds) is fantastic one final time, and the Saints claim the Class 4A crown, 66-47, over North Polk.

See photos as the Saints defeated the Comets to clinch the title in head coach Tom Lilly’s final game before retiring.

Girls state basketball: Four years after 1-20, Mount Vernon completes a steady climb to the summit. Mustangs top Dubuque Wahlert 47-36 for the Class 3A championship.

See photos as the Mustangs defeated the Golden Eagles to win their second title.

Capsules for Saturday’s games involving area teams at the 2025 Iowa high school girls' state basketball tournament at Wells Fargo Arena.

Girls state basketball: Newell-Fonda scores the final 11 points, and tops North Linn, 48-38, in a Class 1A semifinal.

Girls state basketball: Iowa City Regina’s run ends in the Class 2A semifinals, 51-45 to Hinton. The Blackhawks will face Central Lyon in an all-Northwest Iowa championship game.

Girls state basketball notes: Sifting through the top contenders for Miss Iowa Basketball 2025. Cedar Rapids Xavier’s Libby Fandel has elevated her resume at the state tournament this week.