Five Iowa high school girls basketball champions crowned

DES MOINES — The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union’s Basketball State Tournament came to a close on Saturday as champions across Iowa’s five girls’ basketball classes were crowned.

Top seeds reigned supreme in three of the five title bouts, but a three seed and a bottom eight seed walked away as champions as well.

St. Albert in 1A, Hinton in 2A, Mount Vernon in 3A, Xavier in 4A and Johnston in 5A were all title winners.

In Class 5A, Johnston goes back-to-back. The Dragons, who are ranked as a top 25 team in the nation, won each of their first two tournament games by over 19 points before a clash with two seed Dowling Catholic in the title game.

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Johnston made it three straight wins over the Maroons this season with a 55-44 victory. It’s 52 straight win for the Dragons.

The Maroons led 20-19 at the half, but the Dragons went on to outscore Dowling 36-24 in the second half.

Dowling got to the championship after defeating Davenport North, 64-38 and Waukee Northwest 52-47.

No one had a more dominant run than Xavier in Class 4A. The No. 8 seeded Saints took the crown after downing No. 1 seeded Bishop Heelan, No. 4 Norwalk and No. 2 North Polk for the title, 66-47.

The Saints trailed 13-12 after one against North Polk, but won the final three quarters 19-9, 20-16 and 15-9 for the title.

Xavier’s closest game was its 10 point win over Norwalk in the semifinals.

North Polk trip to the final included wins over No. 7 Sioux Center 47-45 and Dallas Center-Grimes 52-30.

Mount Vernon reigned in Class 3A. The No. 1 Mustangs defeated No. 2 Wahlert Catholic 47-36.

The Golden Eagles led early in the state final, but the Mustangs led 14-10 by the end of the first and only extended their lead the rest of the way.

Mount Vernon defeated No. 8 West Marshall 75-19 in the state opener and then No. 5 Estherville Lincoln Center 35-34 in the semifinals.

Wahlert Catholic downed No. 7 Spirit Lake 51-46 and No. 3 Williamsburg 52-34 to earn a spot in the finals.

In Class 2A, No. 3 Hinton hoisted the trophy after a 48-46 win over No. 5 Central Lyon.

After holding an eight-point lead, 38-30, heading into the fourth, Hinton held off a late run by Central Lyon to win it all.

The Lions outscored the Blackhawks 16-10 in the fourth.

Hinton defeated No. 6 Rock Valley 53-47 and No. 2 Regina Catholic 51-45 on its way to the final. Meanwhile, Central Lyon defeated No. 4 North Mahaska 59-34 and No. 1 Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont 63-49.

St. Albert was another No. 1 seed to win it all. The Saintes defeated Newell-Fonda 61-58 in double overtime capping off arguably the most exciting matchup of the tournament.

The two squads were tied 51-51 by the end of regulation and 56-56 after one overtime. In the second extra period, St. Albert just edged Newell-Fonda 5-2.