
Girls' basketball has a long and proud history in Iowa, with the Iowa Girls State High School Basketball tournament being the oldest of its kind. The annual tournament, which has been going on since the 1920s, is a highly anticipated event, known for its exciting basketball games and entertaining halftime shows. It provides an opportunity for Iowa girls to showcase their talent, build teamwork skills, and forge lasting friendships. With five classes of basketball and over 7,500 participants, the tournament continues to leave an indelible mark on the state's sports landscape, with specific game schedules and brackets available for enthusiasts to follow.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Iowa |
| Year | 2025 |
| Month | February |
| Tournament Dates | 27 February 2025 (assumed) |
| Format | Six-on-six until 1994, then switched to five-on-five |
| Number of Players | More than 7,500 girls |
| Number of Classes | Five |
| Past Winners | 2022-2023: 1A - Nazareth, 2A - Lipan, 3A - Holliday, 4A - Waco La Vega, 5A - Frisco Liberty, 6A - Northside Clark |
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Iowa Girls State High School Basketball tournament
The Iowa Girls State High School Basketball tournament is the oldest girls' high school tournament of its kind. Girls have been playing high school basketball in Iowa since the 1920s, even when many people believed they shouldn't. The enthusiasm for the sport and the annual state tournament ignited passion and, today, it is still a favourite with audiences.
The Iowa Girls State High School Basketball tournament is known for its exciting half-time shows and great basketball. The sport encourages Iowa girls to develop team-building skills and lifelong friendships. The IGHSAU currently has five classes of basketball with more than 7,500 girls taking part.
The 2025 tournament is now down to the final round in each class. Here are some of the scores from the earlier rounds:
- No. 1 Johnston 55, No. 2 Dowling Catholic 44
- No. 8 Cedar Rapids Xavier 66, No. 2 North Polk 47
- No. 1 Mount Vernon 47, No. 2 Wahlert Catholic 36
- No. 1 Johnston 61, No. 4 Ankeny Centennial 42
- No. 2 Dowling Catholic 52, No. 3 Waukee Northwest 47
- No. 8 Cedar Rapids Xavier 71, No. 1 Bishop Heelan 57
- No. 4 Norwalk 56, No. 5 Central Dewitt 54
Iowa girls basketball was played in a six-on-six format until 1994, when all school districts switched to five-on-five.
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Michigan High School Athletic Association
The Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) is celebrating its 100th anniversary with the "Century of School Sports". As part of the celebrations, the MHSAA is concluding its second of three seasons with the last of its winter championships – the Girls Basketball Semifinals & Finals. This tournament will take place at Michigan State University’s Breslin Center and will be the 51st MHSAA Girls Basketball Finals, with the first having taken place in Fall 1973. The tournament was not completed in 2020 due to COVID-19.
The MHSAA has nearly 53 years of girls' sports under its belt. Girls have been playing basketball for their schools in Michigan for more than 130 years, but it was only in 1973 that girls' basketball became the sixth girls' sport to gain MHSAA postseason championships. Boys' basketball was the first sport to see its champions crowned by the MHSAA in 1925.
The 2024-25 Girls Basketball Quarterfinals will see 32 teams compete to reach the Breslin Center, with 16 of those teams having played in the 2024 Quarterfinals. Of those 16, 10 advanced to the Semifinals. Senior forward Anna Wypych, who was named Miss Basketball, will attempt to lead the Rams to victory over Grand Haven. The Buccaneers are making their first Quarterfinal appearance since winning the Class A championship in 2013. Meanwhile, Gladstone is making its first Quarterfinal appearance since 2012, with junior guard Lillie Johnson averaging 22.4 points, 12.1 rebounds and 3.6 steals per game.
The MHSAA has a range of resources for coaches, including forms, manuals and information, which can be found on the AD/Coach Resources Page. The MHSAA also offers championship gear and apparel for sale, as well as photos from previous championship games.
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University Interscholastic League (UIL)
The University Interscholastic League (UIL) is an organization that creates rules for and administers athletic, musical, and academic contests for public primary and secondary schools in Texas, US. It is the largest organization of its type in the world, with activities ranging from American football and cross-examination debate to mathematics and marching band competitions. The UIL was created by The University of Texas at Austin in 1910 and has grown to include almost all public schools in the state.
The UIL is under the governance of the Vice President for Diversity and Community Engagement at the University of Texas at Austin. Although the Texas Education Agency (TEA) governs the activities of schools and school districts in Texas, the UIL is a separate entity and does not report to the TEA. The UIL is committed to non-discrimination on the basis of disability, race, color, gender, religion, or national origin in its programs.
Historically, the UIL only governed white schools in Texas. During the era of racial segregation from 1940 to 1970, the Prairie View Interscholastic League (PVIL) served as a separate parallel organization for African-American public high schools in the state. In 1965, the UIL agreed to admit PVIL member schools for competition, and after the 1969-70 school year, the UIL fully absorbed all PVIL member schools.
In addition to academic and athletic competitions, the UIL organizes various public speaking and debate events, including cross-examination debate, congressional debate, prose, poetry, and extemporaneous speaking. The Speech & Debate contest is the league's longest-running contest, introduced in 1910. The UIL featured 834,558 participants in the 2016-17 season, with 59% boys and 41% girls.
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Iowa High School Girls Athletic Union
The Iowa High School Girls Athletic Union (IGHSAU) promotes, directs, protects and regulates amateur interscholastic athletic relationships for junior high and secondary girls across member schools. The IGHSAU has a rich history, with girls playing high school basketball as far back as the 1920s, even when many people believed they shouldn't. This enthusiasm for the sport and the annual state tournament ignited a passion for basketball, with over 7,500 girls now playing across five classes of basketball in Iowa.
The Iowa Girls State High School Basketball tournament is the oldest girls' high school tournament of its kind. It has been known for its great basketball and exciting half-time shows, igniting a passion for the sport and encouraging Iowa girls to develop team-building skills and lifelong friendships. The tournament has a unique format, with Iowa girls basketball played in a six-on-six format until 1994 when all school districts switched to the five-on-five format we know today.
The IGHSAU continues to provide the very best championship experience for student-athletes across Iowa. The support of official partners and their investments allows the IGHSAU to continue the vision and mission established by longtime Executive Director E. The IGHSAU is committed to promoting and protecting amateur interscholastic athletic relationships for girls, ensuring fair and equal opportunities for all.
The IGHSAU and its members are dedicated to sportsmanship and the development of important life skills through athletic participation. The annual state basketball tournament is a testament to the hard work and dedication of Iowa's student-athletes, coaches, and communities, fostering a sense of pride and camaraderie across the state. The tournament is a highly anticipated event, with teams and fans travelling from across Iowa to participate and show their support.
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IGHSAU's five basketball classes
Girls in Iowa began playing high school basketball in the 1920s, even when several people thought they shouldn't. The enthusiasm for the sport and the annual state tournament, however, ignited a passion for the game. The Iowa Girls State High School Basketball tournament is the oldest high school girls' tournament of its kind. Initially, Iowa girls' basketball was played in a six-on-six format until 1994, when all school districts switched to the five-on-five format. Today, the sport is still a favourite among audiences, culminating in the unique state tournament. It encourages Iowa girls to develop team-building skills and lifelong friendships.
The IGHSAU currently has five basketball classes, with more than 7,500 girls playing the sport. The largest 40 school districts are 5A, the next 48 are 4A, the next 64 are 3A, the following 80 are 2A, and the remaining schools are 1A. The 2024-25 basketball season began with the first practice on November 11, and the first competitions commenced on November 22. The Iowa Girls High School State Basketball Tournament will be held from March 3-8, 2025, at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.
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Frequently asked questions
The Iowa Girls State High School Basketball Tournament is held annually.
Girls in Iowa began playing high school basketball in the 1920s and the annual state tournament has been held ever since.
The Iowa Girls State High School Basketball Tournament is played in a five-on-five format, with more than 7,500 girls participating across five classes.
The girls' and boys' state basketball tournaments in Texas are held annually, with the girls' tournament taking place in February and the boys' tournament in March.
Yes, Michigan has a high school girls' basketball tournament, with specific forms, manuals, and information available online.










































