IHSAA goes all out on hoops coverage

DES MOINES — The Iowa High School Athletic Union is going big in its first year back from getting full broadcast rights away from the Iowa High School Sports Network.

Last week, the IHSAA released its announce team for the 2026 state basketball tournament, which started this Monday. On the list were some notable names from around the state, including a couple that hit close to home in Southeast Iowa.

Former Winfield-Mt. Union basketball star Jess Settles will be one of the voices on the call. Settles, a broadcaster for Big 10 hoops for the Big 10 Network was a key member of the Wolves’ historic run in the 90s, when WMU became a perennial Class 1A state qualifier.

Settles, as many know, was a high school teammate to current WMU head coach Klay Edwards, as well as current Mt. Pleasant head coach Eric Rawson.

Also on the call will be Jess’ wife Joanna Settles, a former multi-sport star for the Columbus Wildcats.

Joanna Settles, who currently coaches volleyball at Central College, was on the call for the Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Union’s state basketball coverage as well.

Before moving to Pella to get a job teaching and coaching at Pella Christian, Joanna Settles had a stint at Mt. Pleasant as well, where she coached both volleyball and girls’ basketball.

Jess and Joanna will both serve as analysts for select state tournament games, as part of a 14-member team. Other analysts covering the games are Chris Larson, Mike O’Connor, Mitch Osborn, Justin Surrency and Ras Vanderloo.

The play-by-play team features many familiar faces from local news stations, and even some with ESPN experience. Calling play by play will be Michael Admire, Eric Braley, Keith Murphy, Daniel Ver Steeg, Brad Wells, Corey Westra and Noah Wolf.

All games for the 2026 Iowa High School state tournament will be on the “Watch” page on the IHSAA website, as well as on the Association’s Youtube page, @TheIHSAA.

This will be the first time that full coverage will be free to watch on the boys’ side, after a lengthy contract with the IHSSN finally ran out at the end of last school year.

The action began on Monday with Class 3A quarterfinals. Games will be played at the Casey’s Center in Des Moines from Monday until Friday.