Prep Boys’ Basketball- The Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) are in their fourth year of releasing an official top 10 rankings for the current basketball season and the first one for the 2025-26 season was pushed out yesterday and one of our local teams found a spot in the top 10.
The IHSAA uses these lists as the primary tool for postseason assignments, while maintaining school and geographic considerations. Moreover, the last two editions will be following the release of the substate brackets, these rankings are to determine state tournament seeding.
Class 1A
Last year’s champion and this year’s afterthought as Madrid is nowhere to be seen on the top 10, but the team that fell to the Tigers in the semifinals sits atop the rankings in St. Edmond. The Gaels have been dominant to start the year, winning by an average of 23 points per game, including a trio of victories over teams above 0.500.
Wapsie Valley and MMCRU round out the top three, respectively, as the Royals have shown the most drastic improvement, going from nine consecutive losing seasons to 44-12 record over the last two and a half seasons, including a 7-0 mark this year.
It took Burlington Notre Dame awhile last year to get top 10 consideration, this year there are no secrets about the Nikes as they rest at #4 in the rankings. With a 9-0 record, the Nikes have produced 70 or more points in seven of their nine games and a defense that has held their last four opponents under 45 points in each contest.
Shay Stephens, a Western Illinois commit, continues to impress as he averages 27 points per game to go along with eight rebounds and six assists. He surpassed the 1,000-point plateau in a 97-43 victory over Fort Madison preceding the winter break.
Last year’s runner-up, Marquette Catholic, is sat back at #6 in the rankings despite a 7-0 start to the year, while Lynnville-Sully rounds out the list with a perfect 8-0 record. East Marshall might be a team to keep an eye on as their only loss is to an unblemished Class 2A Grundy Center, but their success is linked to the Spartans and…
Class 2A
Grundy Center currently does not hold a spot in the top 10. Last year’s champion, Western Christian is back at #4, while Unity Christian is atop the list with an 8-0 mark to start the season. The Knights love to score, averaging 74 points per game, but the defense also surrenders 50 points per game, including allowing 63 points to Spirit Lake.
#2 Treynor has been a mainstay in Des Moines, attending state 18 times in their program’s history, yet they have come up short in their last four trips to the dance after winning their sole championship in 2015. The 7-0 Cardinals have been tested against Class 1A’s #7 Bishop Garrigan and Underwood, securing road victories against each.
Regina Catholic rounds out the top three, while #6 Tri-Center is the other undefeated squad in the rankings. #10 Cascade is searching for their first 20-win season since 2017, which was the last year in a five-year run that the Cougars went to start, ending in a 2018 championship.
Class 3A
Ballard enters 2026 as the favorite for Class 3A with a 7-0 record, only #7 Solon and #8 Nevada have as many victories as the Bombers do this season without any losses. Ballard is the clear #1 team with wins over Class 4A’s #6 Waukee and Class 3A’s #6 ADM and doing so in convincing fashion with an average point differential of +25.9.
Clear Lake and Xavier are placed at #2 and #3, respectively, in the rankings, though #5 Pella might be able to climb their way higher up the ladder after trouncing #9 Knoxville 81-54 last night. It was the Panthers’ first regular season loss since February 8th, 2024.
Next installment might have two new teams earning a spot in the top 10 after #10 Wahlert Catholic dropped their third contest last night in their last four games. A disappointing development after starting the year 3-0.
Class 4A
Valley is experiencing the ruthlessness that is high school sports after winning the title last year the Tigers are currently 0-8 with the second hardest schedule in the state. Most likely meaning that there will be a new champion in Class 4A.
Cedar Falls appears poised to take that position after defeating #2 Waukee Northwest 74-69 last Friday in a battle of the unbeatens. Luckily for Cedar Falls that’s as difficult as their schedule gets.
As for #3 Dowling Catholic, their resolve will be challenged. A 9-0 start that includes a win over #6 Waukee, #8 Des Moines Roosevelt, and Class 3A’s #3 Xavier, the Maroons will have to play #2 Waukee Northwest twice, Waukee again, and tough matchups against Norwalk and Urbandale.
A team to keep your eye on is #4 Muscatine. So far, the Muskies are undefeated but will be tasked with 6-1 Bettendorf tonight, who was the state runner-up two years ago, and will have to play #9 Pleasant Valley, who they beat 46-40 before winter break, in early February. Their schedule is not well respected but the team should be.
