SBLive Iowa Top 25 high school boys basketball rankings (Feb. 6)

This week’s Iowa prep boys basketball rankings

By Chris Short | Photo by Tyler Coe 

Cedar Rapids Kennedy continues to dominate the competition in Eastern Iowa, while the Waukee schools and West Des Moines Valley separate themselves in Central Iowa. But don’t sleep on Indianola, which got Drew Kingery back in style last week. Those five teams round out the top five in our all-class top 25. 

Iowa City West is back in the rankings after a one-week hiatus, joining Des Moines Roosevelt and Clear Lake as newcomers. Bettendorf, Hull Western Christian and Waterloo West drop out.

1. Cedar Rapids Kennedy (16-0)

The Cougars continue to dominate the competition in Eastern Iowa, blowing out previously-ranked Waterloo West by 43 and Cedar Rapids Jefferson by 34. Their average margin of victory is 32.9 on the season, but they’ll be tested this week with games against Iowa City’s West and High and at red-hot West Des Moines Valley in a Saturday afternoon tilt.

2. Waukee (18-2)

The Warriors won both games last week convincingly, trouncing Des Moines East by 32 and Johnston by 15. They entertain Valley on Tuesday in a battle of top four teams.

3. Waukee Northwest (16-2)

The Wolves remain third after cruising to a 48-point beatdown of Sioux City West and Urbandale by 22. They have a tricky week ahead with home games against WDM Dowling and Ankeny Centennial.

4. West Des Moines Valley (14-3)

Up one spot, the Tigers have cruised to eight straight wins after stumbling to No. 2 Waukee, including 20-plus point wins over Southeast Polk and Council Bluffs Lincoln last week. They have a chance to avenge the loss to Waukee on Tuesday and play host to top-ranked Kennedy on Saturday.

5. Indianola (16-2)

The Indians move up a spot after bouncing back from a loss to Norwalk with wins over Grinnell by 31 and Dallas Center-Grimes by 28. Drew Kingery is back – pouring in 31 points against Grinnell -- so the Indians are at full strength heading into the home stretch.

6. Bondurant-Farrar (17-0)

The unbeaten Bluejays move up after blowing out Carroll by 25 and Gilbert by 23. They have an interesting test Tuesday against previously ranked North Polk, which they beat in overtime earlier this season.

7. Dubuque Senior (14-3)

The Rams stay at No. 7 after they got a big 61-60 win over Cedar Rapids Xavier before crushing city rival Hempstead by 52.

8. Norwalk (14-3)

The Warriors are rolling with 10 straight victories to move into the top 10 – up three spots from last week. They knocked off a hot Ames squad and then beat Dallas Center-Grimes and Grinnell.

9. Grand View Christian (19-0)

The 1A Thunder are 5-0 against Class 4A teams and also beat three 3A opponents. They could be tested Tuesday against 18-1 Class 2A Aplington-Parkersburg.

10. North Linn (19-0)

The unbeaten Lynx average margin of victory is 47.1.

11. Cedar Falls (12-4)

Winners of 9 of 10, the Tigers move up two positions after blowing out Cedar Rapids Jefferson by 31 and posting a double-digit victory over West Waterloo.

12. Sioux City East (17-2)

The Black Raiders went 1-2 last week and plummet nine spots after losing by four to Sergeant Bluff-Luton and 31 to Omaha, Neb., area power Bellevue West, which is 19-0.

13. Ankeny Centennial (13-5)

The Jaguars move up a spot after winning all three of their games last week, including a 51-49 comeback victory over rival Ankeny.

14. Pleasant Valley (12-5)

The Spartans pulled out a victory over North Scott and cruised past Davenport Assumption to move up seven positions.

15. Ames (12-6)

The Little Cyclones had a tough week, sandwiching losses to Norwalk and Waterloo East around a win over always-tough Des Moines Hoover.

16. Cedar Rapids Xavier Catholic (12-5)

The 3A Saints move up a spot despite losing to No. 7 Dubuque Senior before blowing out Linn-Mar by 30.

17. Aplington-Parkersburg (18-1)

The 2A Falcons are back on track, winning three games last week over Jesup, Hudson and Dike-New Hartford.

18. Central Lyon (15-1)

The 1A Lions move up a spot after hammering a good Sioux Center team by 33 and Sibley-Ocheyedan by 60.

19. MOC Floyd Valley (16-2)

The 3A Dutchmen posted blowout victories over Sibley-Ocheyedan and George-Little Rock. Their only losses this season are to Central Lyon, which is ranked one spot ahead of them.

20. Gladbrook-Reinbeck (18-1)

The 1A Rebels move up three spots after posting three impressive blowout victories. Their average point differential is 31.9 points per game.

21. Roland Story (19-1)

The 2A Norsemen have won nine straight after falling to unbeaten Grandview Christian.

22. North Scott (13-4)

The Lancers split last week, falling to PV but beating previously ranked Bettendorf.

23. Iowa City West (10-7)

The Trojans return to the rankings after posting three straight double-digit victories. They are healthy now, getting back second-leading scorer Kareem Earl – son of former Iowa Hawkeye and Boston Celtic Acie Earl. West could be a sleeper in March.

24. Des Moines Roosevelt (13-6)

The Roughriders haven’t played the toughest schedule, but they’ve won seven straight – six of them by double digits to put them back in the rankings.

25. Clear Lake (15-1)

The 3A Lions, who make their debut, have won seven straight and will get a chance to avenge their only loss Tuesday when they play host to 14-3 Humboldt.