Kristian Ferrell
Iowa has a rich history of girls' basketball, with the Iowa Girls State High School Basketball tournament being the oldest of its kind. The 2024-25 season began on November 11, 2024, with the first competitions taking place on November 22. The Iowa High School Girls State Basketball Tournament is a highly anticipated event, with over 7,500 girls participating across five classes of basketball. The tournament features exciting games and captivating half-time shows, igniting passion and enthusiasm among players and fans alike. The latest tournament, which took place in March 2025, saw intense competition and impressive performances from various teams, with No. 1 St. Albert and No. 8 Cedar Rapids emerging as standout contenders in their respective classes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Iowa Girls Basketball Tournament Date | 3-8 March 2025 |
| Location | Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines |
| Number of Classes | 5 |
| Largest School Districts | 5A |
| Number of School Districts in 5A | 40 |
| Second Largest School Districts | 4A |
| Number of School Districts in 4A | 48 |
| Third Largest School Districts | 3A |
| Number of School Districts in 3A | 64 |
| Fourth Largest School Districts | 2A |
| Number of School Districts in 2A | 80 |
| Remaining School Districts | 1A |
| Official Tournament Basketball | Spalding TF1000 Legacy (women's) |
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What You'll Learn
Iowa Girls State High School Basketball tournament history
The Iowa Girls High School State Basketball Tournament has a rich history spanning over a century. In 2019, the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) celebrated its 100th-state basketball tournament, showcasing the long-standing tradition of girls' basketball in the state.
The tournament's history can be traced back to the formation of the IGHSAU in 1925 by twenty-five mostly small rural school districts. These districts took the initiative to establish a separate girls' interscholastic organization dedicated solely to girls' athletics, a groundbreaking move at the time.
Over the years, the tournament has undergone various format changes and venue shifts. In 1930, the IGHSAU announced that the state tournament would be moving to the Drake Fieldhouse in 1931, increasing the number of qualifiers from four to eight. The tournament remained at Drake until 1955 when it transitioned to the Veterans Memorial Auditorium.
The IGHSAU adopted a new state tournament format in 1934, which remained in use until 1993 for the 6-player game. This format included 16 qualifiers competing in first-round, quarterfinal, and semifinal games, culminating in a third-place game and the championship match.
The Iowa Girls' State Basketball Tournament has produced memorable moments and remarkable achievements. From 1969 to 1971, Montezuma won 89 consecutive games, capturing two straight state championships. This winning streak remains unparalleled in the state's history.
The tournament has also witnessed the rise of exceptional athletes and coaches. In 2013, Gene Klinge became the first and only Iowa girls' coach to achieve 1,000 wins during his 52-year career at West Central and Waukon. Pocahontas Area's Elle Ruffridge set a new 5-player career scoring record in 2017, amassing 2,951 career points and leading her team to state titles in 2016 and 2017.
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Iowa high school girls basketball tournament brackets
The Iowa Girls High School State Basketball Tournament was held from March 3 to 8, 2025, at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. The state is divided into five classes of girls' basketball, with the largest 40 school districts in 5A, the next 48 in 4A, the next 64 in 3A, the next 80 in 2A, and the remaining schools in 1A. Here is a breakdown of the tournament brackets for each class:
Class 5A
No. 1 Johnston defeated No. 2 Dowling Catholic 55-44 in the championship game. To reach the final, No. 1 Johnston defeated No. 4 Ankeny Centennial 61-42 in the semifinals, while No. 2 Dowling Catholic beat No. 3 Waukee Northwest 52-47. In the quarterfinals, No. 1 Johnston defeated No. 8 Iowa City Liberty 73-45, No. 4 Ankeny Centennial beat No. 5 Pleasant Valley 51-47, No. 2 Dowling Catholic defeated No. 7 Davenport North 64-38, and No. 3 Waukee Northwest beat No. 6 Cedar Rapids Prairie 63-56.
Class 4A
No. 8 Cedar Rapids Xavier won the championship, defeating No. 2 North Polk 66-47. In the semifinals, No. 8 Cedar Rapids Xavier beat No. 4 Norwalk 70-60, and No. 2 North Polk defeated No. 6 Dallas Center-Grimes 52-30. Quarterfinal results: No. 8 Cedar Rapids Xavier 71, No. 1 Bishop Heelan 57; No. 4 Norwalk 56, No. 5 Central Dewitt 54; No. 2 North Polk 47, No. 7 Sioux Center 45; No. 6 Dallas Center-Grimes 49, No. 3 Maquoketa 44.
Class 3A
No. 1 Mount Vernon is moving on to the championship game after defeating No. 5 Estherville Lincoln Central 35-34 in the semifinals. They will face No. 3 Williamsburg, who beat No. 6 Des Moines Christian 52-49 in the other semifinal. Earlier, in the quarterfinals, No. 1 Mount Vernon beat No. 8 West Marshall 75-19, No. 5 Estherville Lincoln Central defeated No. 4 Cherokee Washington 57-33, No. 2 Wahlert Catholic beat No. 7 Spirit Lake 51-46, and No. 3 Williamsburg defeated No. 6 Des Moines Christian.
Class 2A
No results available.
Class 1A
No. 1 St. Albert won the championship, defeating No. 3 Newell-Fonda 61-58. In the semifinals, No. 1 St. Albert beat No. 4 Bishop Garrigan 59-51, while No. 3 Newell-Fonda defeated No. 2 North Linn 48-38. Quarterfinal results: No. 1 St. Albert 42, No. 8 Dunkerton 31; No. 4 Bishop Garrigan 69, No. 5 Montezuma 31; No. 2 North Linn 33, No. 7 Gladbrook-Reinbeck 29; No. 3 Newell-Fonda 60, No. 6 Springville 32.
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Iowa high school girls basketball tournament scores
The Iowa Girls High School State Basketball Tournament was held from March 3 to 8, 2025, at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. The state tournament featured several classes, with the largest 40 school districts in 5A, the next 48 in 4A, the next 64 in 3A, the next 80 in 2A, and the remaining schools in 1A. Here are the scores from the state tournament:
Class 5A
- No. 1 Johnston 55, No. 2 Dowling Catholic 44
- All-tournament team: Ari Phillips, Johnston; Ava Zediker, Dowling Catholic; Romey Croatt, Waukee Northwest; Jenica Lewis, Johnston; Ellie Muller, Dowling Catholic; Amani Jenkins, Johnston (captain)
Class 4A
- No. 8 Cedar Rapids Xavier 66, No. 2 North Polk 47
- All-tournament team: Madden Wilson, Xavier; Becca Aagard, North Polk; Braylyn Birmingham, Norwalk; Melina Snoozy, Bishop Heelan; Abby Tuttle, North Polk; Libby Fandel, Xavier (captain)
Class 3A
- No. 1 Mount Vernon 47, No. 2 Wahlert Catholic 36
- All-tournament team: Courtney Franck, Mount Vernon; Carly Rich, Williamsburg; Haylee Stokes, Estherville Lincoln Central; Savanna Wright, Mount Vernon; Claire Lueken, Dubuque Wahlert; Sydney Huber, Mount Vernon (captain)
Class 2A
No scores were provided for this class.
Class 1A
- No. 1 St. Albert 61, No. 3 Newell-Fonda 58
- All-tournament team: Ellie Sievers, Newell-Fonda; Maura Ryan, St. Albert; Molly Boge, North Linn; Graclyn Eastman, Algona Bishop Garrigan; Kinzee Hinders, Newell-Fonda; Avah Underwood, St. Albert (captain)
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Iowa high school girls basketball tournament schedule
The Iowa Girls High School State Basketball Tournament will be held from March 3 to 8, 2025, at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. The 2024-25 basketball season began with the first practice on November 11, and the first competitions took place on November 22.
Iowa has five classes of girls' basketball, categorized according to the size of the school districts. The largest 40 school districts fall under 5A, the next 48 are 4A, followed by 64 in 3A, then 80 in 2A, and the remaining schools are categorized as 1A.
The regional tournament dates for each class are as follows:
- Class 1A: February 13, 18, 21, 26
- Class 2A: February 15, 18, 21, 26
- Class 3A: February 15, 19, 22
- Class 4A and 5A: February 19, 22, 25
Schools may participate in up to two games on a non-school day. However, member schools are not permitted to play any interscholastic basketball games from December 24 through January 1. Junior varsity teams are not allowed in varsity tournaments.
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Iowa high school girls basketball tournament traffic
The Iowa Girls High School State Basketball Tournament is a highly anticipated event, attracting spectators and causing significant traffic in downtown Des Moines. The tournament, held annually, is the oldest girls' high school tournament of its kind, with a rich history dating back to the 1920s when girls first started playing high school basketball in Iowa.
The 2025 tournament, which began on March 3, is expected to draw large crowds to the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Drivers have been advised to plan ahead and allow for extra travel time due to the anticipated increase in traffic. The tournament is expected to cause congestion, particularly in the downtown area, as players, fans, and spectators flock to the event.
To accommodate the influx of visitors, specific driving and parking instructions have been provided. Spectators are advised to use designated drop-off and pick-up locations along Third Street, near the South entrance of the Wells Fargo Arena. From there, drivers can proceed to find parking options in the surrounding area. Free parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis just west of the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center, accessible by turning right onto Park Street from Third Street and then onto Fifth Street.
For those seeking alternative parking options, several paid lots are available nearby, including locations at Seventh and Crocker, Fifth and Grand, and Fourth and Locust. Buses can park in the far north lot for a fee of $40 before 6 p.m., after which they can park on the street for free. These parking instructions aim to facilitate the smooth arrival and departure of attendees and help manage the increased traffic flow during the tournament.
The Iowa High School Girls Basketball tournament is a significant event, not just for the sporting action but also for the excitement it generates among fans and the impact it has on the surrounding area. With a busy schedule of games and the final rounds approaching, the tournament is set to keep downtown Des Moines bustling with activity.
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Frequently asked questions
Iowa Girls Basketball is still in the tournament. The Iowa High School Girls State Basketball Tournament for 2023 took place in February, with the quarterfinals occurring on February 27th and 28th. The Iowa Girls High School State Basketball Tournament will also be held from March 3-8, 2025.
Iowa girls basketball was played in a six-on-six format until 1994, when all school districts switched to five-on-five, which is the current format.
There are five classes of girls basketball in Iowa, with more than 7,500 girls playing the sport. The largest 40 school districts are 5A, the next 48 are 4A, followed by the next 64 as 3A, the next 80 are 2A, and the remaining schools are 1A.
