Iowa Girls Basketball State Tournament: Action Continues With Seven Games

Three classes hit the court inside the Casey’s Center.

Dru Seglem of Forest City tries to strip the ball away from Addy Oetker of Des Moines Christian in the quarterfinals of the Iowa girls basketball state tournament, March 3, 2026. / Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Day two of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union State Basketball Tournament featured games in three different classifications.

Des Moines Christian put the finishing touches on the Class 3A quarterfinals with a 52-46 victory over Forest City. The Lions advance to Thursday’s semifinals from the Casey’s Center in Des Moines, Iowa to face Maquoketa.

It was a thrilling fourth quarter between Des Moines Christian and Forest City, as the Indians scored the first 10 points of the final frame to erase a deficit. The Lions roared back with eight in a row in their fourth consecutive state tournament.

* Opening day of Iowa Girls High School Basketball State Tournament roundup

Reese DeVooght had a game-high 23 points and six rebounds. Addy Oetker added 12 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks while Caitlin Hall scored six points off the bench.

For the Indians, Jenna Dontje had a double-double, scoring 21 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. She also had four steals. Dru Seglem added seven points and Hayden Brown had three points, eight rebounds and six steals.

Dallas Center-Grimes Dominates In 4A Opener

An 18-point first quarter helped Dallas Center-Grimes put Waverly-Shell Rock away early, as the Mustangs cruised into the 4A semifinals with a 59-39 victory.

Macy Meyer sank three 3-pointers and scored 17 points to lead Dallas Center-Grimes, as Leah Brauch added 10 points. Avid Smid had seven points, five rebounds and four assists, with Tessa Jones chipping in eight points and four rebounds.

Waverly-Shell Rock got 19 points out of Lizzy Frazell, as she nailed five triples. Frazzel also had seven rebounds, three steals and three blocks. Addie Ott recorded seven points and Britt Bodensteiner eight rebounds.

The Mustangs shot 64 percent from the 3-point line and 58 percent from the field, using 28 points in the paint to overcome the Go-Hawks.

Double-Double By Braylyn Birmingham Leads Norwalk

Braylyn Birmingham, one of the top scorers in the state, responded in the second half to carry Norwalk past Central DeWitt, 50-37.

Birmingham, averaging just over 30 points per game, finished with 26, including 16 during a key second half stretch that helped the Warriors advance. She also tallied 10 rebounds with two blocks, two steals and two assists.

Pearl Brown scored 11 points with five rebounds and four steals, as Ava Carlson grabbed nine rebounds.

Norwalk advances to face Dallas Center-Grimes for a third time this season. The two split their regular season encounters.

Jaelyn Sinclair’s 13 led Central Dewitt, who were also knocked out of the state tournament by Norwalk last year. Ava Putman added 10 points.

Still To Come….

Two more games in the 4A quarterfinals will hit the court, as Sioux City Bishop Heelan meets North Polk and Clear Creek-Amana tangles with Carlisle. The 2A quarters also tip off with Hinton meeting West Lyon and Denver facing Emmetsburg.