Iowa High School Basketball

From 6-on-6 Legends to Modern Dynasties

Iowa basketball has a unique history. The state pioneered girls' athletics decades before Title IX, with a legendary 6-on-6 format that outdrew the boys' tournament. Today, basketball remains a cultural cornerstone in gymnasiums across the state.

The 6-on-6 Legacy: Iowa's Girls Basketball History

What Was 6-on-6 Basketball?

From the early 1900s until 1993, Iowa girls played a unique format:

6 players per team: 3 forwards, 3 guards
No crossing half-court: Forwards stayed on offense, guards on defense
2-dribble limit: Required passing-focused play

Why Did Iowa Play This Way?

In the early 20th century, male administrators argued competitive sports were "too strenuous" for young women. The 6-on-6 format was a compromise that allowed competition while limiting physical exertion. But Iowa made it something extraordinary.

The Cultural Impact

The numbers were staggering:

The Iowa Girls' State Basketball Tournament outdrew the boys' tournament in attendance and revenue for decades
15,000+ fans packed venues to watch girls play
Revenue from girls' basketball funded boys' athletics at the state level

The Legends

Player	School	Era	Legacy
Denise Long	Union-Whitten	1968	Drafted by an NBA team (San Francisco Warriors) — first woman ever
Jeanette Olson	Everly	1960s	All-time leading scorer, folk hero status
Lynne Lorenzen	Ventura	1987	Set records that stood for decades

The Transition: Iowa switched to 5-on-5 in 1993, aligning with national standards. Many older Iowans still debate whether the change was necessary.

Girls Basketball Today

Current Dynasties

Bishop Garrigan & Audi Crooks

Bishop Garrigan (Algona) became the most recent dynasty, led by generational talent Audi Crooks (now at Iowa State):

101-8 record over four years
Back-to-back titles (2022, 2023)
Crooks holds the all-time state tournament scoring record

Newell-Fonda: The Press

Newell-Fonda under coach Dick Jungers became famous for playing chaotic, full-court press defense for all 32 minutes:

Won multiple titles (2019, 2020, 2021)
Simply outworked opponents regardless of talent differential
Exemplifies Iowa's small-school basketball culture

Other Powers

School	Class	Notable
Ankeny	5A	Under Scott DeJong, won 4 straight titles (2002-2005)
Ankeny Centennial	5A	DeJong moved here and won again
Dowling Catholic	5A	Perennial metro contender
Valley	5A	Consistent Class 5A power
Dike-New Hartford	3A	Multi-sport powerhouse

Boys Basketball

The Powers

Ames High: The Talent Factory

Ames High is the alma mater of:

Harrison Barnes (NBA champion, current player)
Fred Hoiberg (NBA player, Iowa State coach, Nebraska coach)

The 2009-2010 teams are considered among the best in state history.

Western Christian: Consistent Excellence

Just like in volleyball, Western Christian (Hull) is a machine:

Numerous state titles in 2A/3A
Known for fundamental basketball
Community commitment to development

Valley: Metro Dominance

Valley (West Des Moines) consistently fields competitive 4A teams:

Deep rosters of athletic guards
Won the 4A title in 2023
Benefits from suburban talent pool

State Tournament

Venue: Wells Fargo Arena (Des Moines) — "The Well"

Boys Tournament

Classes: 4A, 3A, 2A, 1A
Dates: March
Format: Single elimination

Girls Tournament

Classes: 5A, 4A, 3A, 2A, 1A
Dates: March
Format: Single elimination
Legacy: Carries the weight of 6-on-6 history

The Experience

Attendance: 10,000+ for championship games
Atmosphere: State basketball is a pilgrimage for Iowa families
Traditions: Schools bring entire communities to Des Moines

Youth Basketball: AAU and Clubs

All Iowa Attack (Ames/Waukee)

The premier basketball club in Iowa:

Nike EYBL member (Elite Youth Basketball League) for boys AND girls
Only Iowa club with this prestigious affiliation
Direct pathway to Division I exposure

Facilities:

Zachary Jensen Fieldhouse (Ames)
Kettlestone Central (Waukee)
Complete control of scheduling and training environment

Cost: Open gym membership alone is $150/month — expect $2,000-$3,000+ annually for team participation.

Kingdom Hoops (Des Moines/Ankeny)

Top-tier competitor to All Iowa Attack:

Consistently ranked in top 10 for AA teams in Iowa
Heavy focus on skill development
Intense training environment

Martin Brothers (Cedar Falls)

Historic program with NBA/high-major college alumni:

Legacy of producing elite talent
Serves Cedar Valley and northeast Iowa
Remains top-ranked power in state

League Structure

Central Iowa Sports Basketball League facilitates youth play:

Winter season: October-March (primary)
Team fee: ~$875
Individual registration: ~$160
Thousands of games across the metro

Season Structure

Timeline

Phase	Timing
AAU/Club (spring/summer)	April-July
High school conditioning	October
First practice	Mid-November
First games	Late November
Regular season	November-February
Postseason	February-March
State tournament	March

The Path to Playing

For Public School Students

Participate in youth/AAU basketball
Attend high school open gyms and summer leagues
Complete physical and paperwork
Meet academic eligibility requirements
Make varsity, JV, or freshmen team

For ISP Students (via HF 189)

Contact your resident public school's Athletic Director
Register for basketball tryouts
Attend summer open gyms
Complete all eligibility paperwork
Meet academic requirements (2.0 GPA minimum)

What Families Should Know

Commitment Level

Phase	Hours/Week
High school season	15-20 (practice + games)
AAU/club season	10-15 (practice + tournaments)
Off-season training	5-10 (skill work, conditioning)

Costs

Item	Cost
High school	$50-$150 (pay-to-play fee)
Shoes	$100-$200
AAU/club membership	$1,500-$3,000+ annually
Tournaments (AAU)	Additional travel costs
Training/camps	$100-$500+

Total for serious player: $2,000-$5,000+ annually

What This Means for ISP Families

Challenge	ISP Solution
Late weeknight games	Flexible scheduling — complete work on your time
AAU travel (summer)	Asynchronous learning during tournaments
NCAA evaluation periods (July)	No academic conflicts during crucial recruiting windows
Year-round training	12-month enrollment supports basketball-focused schedule