Andrew Pace
The Iowa State Girls Basketball Tournament is an annual event that showcases the top high school and college women's basketball teams in the state. In 2023, the Iowa State women's basketball team advanced to the Big 12 title game, but fell short of the national title against South Carolina. The Iowa high school girls basketball tournament also took place in 2023, with #8 Vinton-Shellsburg and #4 Benton Community among the teams that advanced to the next round. The IGHSAU Girls State Basketball Championships were broadcast on Iowa PBS, with live coverage of the championship matches and behind-the-scenes content available on the network's social media platforms and website.
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What You'll Learn
Iowa Girls State High School Basketball tournament history
The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, formed in 1930, is the first and only organisation dedicated to girls' interscholastic athletics in the state. The following year, the IGHSAU announced that the state tournament would move to the Drake Fieldhouse, and the number of qualifiers would increase from four to eight.
In 1934, the IGHSAU adopted a new tournament format for the 6-player game, with 16 qualifiers playing first-round, quarterfinal, and semifinal games, as well as a third-place game and championship game. This format was used until 1993. In 1955, the tournament moved to the Veterans Memorial Auditorium, where it remained until 1993.
In 1969, Montezuma won 89 consecutive games and two straight state championships—the longest winning streak in Iowa history. In 1977, "The Cleanest Show in Town" began, with high school boys dressed in tuxedos, sweeping the floor under spotlights.
In 1980 and 1981, Ankeny and Norwalk met in back-to-back state championship games, with each team winning one championship. Both games were decided by buzzer-beating shots. In 2012, schools were divided into five classes for the first time. Gene Klinge became the first (and still only) Iowa girls' coach to win 1,000 games. In 2016 and 2017, Pocahontas Area's Elle Ruffridge set the 5-player career scoring mark and led her team to two consecutive state titles in Class 3A.
In 2019, the IGHSAU celebrated its 100th state basketball tournament, with 352 teams beginning regional play. In 2025, the Iowa high school girls' state basketball tournament continued, with teams competing in various classes, including Class 4A and Class 5A.
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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 March 8, 2025, at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Iowa currently has 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.
Class 5A Brackets
In the Class 5A quarterfinals, No. 1 Johnston beat No. 8 Iowa City Liberty 73-45, No. 4 Ankeny Centennial beat No. 5 Pleasant Valley 51-47, No. 2 Dowling Catholic beat No. 7 Davenport North 64-38, and No. 3 Waukee Northwest beat No. 6 Cedar Rapids Prairie 63-56. In the semifinals, No. 1 Johnston beat No. 4 Ankeny Centennial 61-42, and No. 2 Dowling Catholic beat No. 3 Waukee Northwest 52-47. In the championship game, No. 1 Johnston beat No. 2 Dowling Catholic 55-44 to win the Class 5A state title.
Class 4A Brackets
In the Class 4A quarterfinals, No. 8 Cedar Rapids Xavier beat No. 1 Bishop Heelan 71-57, No. 4 Norwalk beat No. 5 Central Dewitt 56-54, No. 2 North Polk beat No. 7 Sioux Center 47-45, and No. 6 Dallas Center-Grimes beat No. 3 Maquoketa 49-44. In the semifinals, No. 8 Cedar Rapids Xavier beat No. 4 Norwalk 70-60, and No. 2 North Polk beat No. 6 Dallas Center-Grimes 52-30. In the championship game, No. 8 Cedar Rapids Xavier beat No. 2 North Polk 66-47 to win the Class 4A state title.
Class 3A Brackets
In the Class 3A quarterfinals, No. 1 Mount Vernon beat No. 8 West Marshall 75-19, No. 5 Estherville Lincoln Central beat No. 4 Cherokee Washington 57-33, No. 2 Wahlert Catholic beat No. 7 Spirit Lake 51-46, and No. 3 Williamsburg beat No. 6 Des Moines Christian 52-49. In the semifinals, No. 1 Mount Vernon beat No. 5 Estherville Lincoln Central 35-34.
Class 2A Brackets
In the Class 2A championship game, Hinton beat Central Lyon 48-46 to win the state championship. This victory capped an unbeaten season for Hinton and gave the school its first-ever girls' basketball title.
Class 1A Brackets
In the Class 1A quarterfinals, No. 1 St. Albert beat No. 8 Dunkerton 42-31, No. 4 Bishop Garrigan beat No. 5 Montezuma 69-31, No. 2 North Linn beat No. 7 Gladbrook-Reinbeck 33-29, and No. 3 Newell-Fonda beat No. 6 Springville 60-32. In the semifinals, No. 1 St. Albert beat No. 4 Bishop Garrigan 59-51, and No. 3 Newell-Fonda beat No. 2 North Linn 48-38. In the championship game, No. 1 St. Albert beat No. 3 Newell-Fonda 61-58 to win the Class 1A state title.
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Iowa high school girls basketball tournament scores
The Iowa high school girls' basketball tournament is a highly anticipated event, with teams vying for the state championship across various classes. In 2025, the tournament witnessed intense competition, and the scores from the state tournament showcase the talent and determination of these young athletes.
In Class 5A, No. 1 Johnston demonstrated their dominance, defeating No. 2 Dowling Catholic by a score of 55-44 in the championship game. This victory cemented their position as the top team in their class.
Moving to Class 4A, No. 8 Cedar Rapids Xavier emerged as the champions, outplaying No. 2 North Polk with a final score of 66-47. It was a hard-fought contest, with Cedar Rapids Xavier showcasing their offensive prowess to secure the title.
In Class 3A, No. 1 Mount Vernon and No. 2 Wahlert Catholic faced off, with Mount Vernon claiming the championship with a score of 47-36. This game highlighted the defensive strengths of both teams, resulting in a lower-scoring but no less exciting contest.
Class 2A also witnessed a thrilling championship game. Hinton displayed their prowess, defeating Central Lyon with a final score of 48-46. Sydney Doeschot, a standout player for Hinton, blocked a crucial 3-point shot in the closing moments, securing the victory and the Class 2A state championship title for her team.
The Iowa high school girls' basketball tournament consistently produces memorable moments and showcases the incredible talent and sportsmanship of these young athletes. The scores from the state tournament stand as a testament to their dedication and skill.
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Iowa high school girls basketball tournament champions
The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union has a storied history in basketball. The 2025 state tournament brackets and scores are as follows:
Class 5A
No. 1 Johnston 61, No. 4 Ankeny Centennial 42
No. 2 Dowling Catholic 52, No. 3 Waukee Northwest 47
No. 1 Johnston 55, No. 2 Dowling Catholic 44
Class 4A
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
No. 8 Cedar Rapids Xavier 70, No. 4 Norwalk 60
No. 2 North Polk 52, No. 6 Dallas Center-Grimes 30
No. 8 Cedar Rapids Xavier 66, No. 2 North Polk 47
Class 3A
No further details are provided.
Class 2A
No. 2 Regina Catholic 53, No. 7 Maquoketa Valley 47
No. 3 Hinton 53, No. 6 Rock Valley 47
No. 5 Central Lyon 63, No. 1 Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont 49
No. 3 Hinton 51, No. 2 Regina Catholic 45
No. 3 Hinton 48, No. 5 Central Lyon 46
Class 1A
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
No. 1 St. Albert 59, No. 4 Bishop Garrigan 51
No. 3 Newell-Fonda 48, No. 2 North Linn 38
No. 1 St. Albert 61, No. 3 Newell-Fonda 58
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Iowa high school girls basketball tournament players
Iowa girls' high school basketball has a storied history, with the Iowa Girls High School State Basketball Tournament taking place in March 2025. The largest 40 school districts compete in 5A, the next 48 in 4A, the next 64 in 3A, the following 80 in 2A, and the remaining schools in 1A.
In the Class 2A Championship game, Hinton's Blackhawks won their first girls' basketball title, defeating Central Lyon 48-46. Hinton's Sydney Doeschot, who led her team with 16 points, blocked a 3-point shot just before the buzzer to seal the victory. This capped off an undefeated season for the Blackhawks, who improved to a record of 26-0.
In the Class 4A tournament, Cedar Rapids Xavier emerged as champions, defeating North Polk by a score of 66-47 in the final. In the semifinals, Cedar Rapids Xavier beat Norwalk 70-60, while North Polk defeated Dallas Center-Grimes 52-30.
The Class 5A semifinals featured a matchup between No. 1 Johnston and No. 2 Dowling Catholic, with Johnston prevailing 55-44 to claim the state title.
In 2013, the Lions of Class 1A showcased their prowess, with Alexis Austin and Danika Hoogendoorn contributing significantly to their championship victory.
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