Iowa boys high school basketball Super 10 rankings: Waukee Northwest takes over top spot
Winter weather finally caught up with the boys high school basketball season. Most teams were able to play at least one game last week, but many teams saw their Friday and Saturday contests postponed.
Snow couldn’t stop Waukee Northwest from another win, while the inclement weather stopped other teams’ rise in the rankings. The Des Moines Register has a new top team this week and new teams joined the list.
Here’s a look at this week’s Super 10:
1. Waukee Northwest (10-1)
Last week: 3
Up next: Tuesday at Dowling Catholic
The Wolves are riding a 10-game win streak, and it looks like no one can get in their way. Pryce Sandfort dropped 42 points against Marshalltown last Tuesday and the junior is averaging more than 28 points per game. Waukee Northwest squeezes in one more game this week before a showdown with No. 2 Ames on Friday to see who Iowa’s top team is.
2. Ames (7-1)
Last week: 1
Up next: Friday vs. No. 1 Waukee Northwest
The Little Cyclones slip to the second spot for one reason: Ames didn’t play any games last week. Tamin Lipsey and his team can take back the top spot with a win against Waukee Northwest on Friday. Will home-court advantage be enough to shut down Sandfort?
3. Council Bluffs Lincoln (8-2)
Last week: 6
Up next: Tuesday at Sioux City North
After losing back-to-back games to start the new year, the Lynx bounced back with wins against Sioux City East and Bishop Heelan. Josh Dix and Jamison Gruber are heating up, and Jake Duffey is consistent under the rim.
4. Cedar Rapids Prairie (9-1)
Last week: 4
Up next: Tuesday vs. Iowa City West
The Hawks have wins against Johnston, Xavier and Cedar Falls, among other tough teams. But a five-point victory over Linn-Mar won’t cut it when Prairie faces teams like Iowa City West and Cedar Falls again.
5. Johnston (9-2)
Last week: 2
Up next: Tuesday vs. Mason City
The Dragons lost for the first time since Dec. 6, 64-63, to Southeast Polk. It’s a game Johnston shouldn’t have lost, considering how the Dragons have played against other top teams.
6. Grand View Christian (13-0)
Last week: 8
Up next: Tuesday at Knoxville
The Thunder continue to play outside of Class 1A, and they keep winning. Grand View Christian should have an easy ride through the rest of the season, at least until the Thunder face AHSTW in the season finale.
7. Pleasant Valley (10-0)
Last week: 5
Up next: Friday at North Scott
The Spartans' undefeated record is impressive, and Pleasant Valley is the only Class 4A team left without a loss. But the Spartans' schedule hasn't been exceptionally tough, and they won’t face some of the state’s top teams until the postseason.
8. Cedar Rapids Kennedy (8-2)
Last week: unranked
Up next: Tuesday vs. Wahlert Catholic
Welcome to the rankings, Kennedy. The Cougars have flown under the radar so far, but they are a force to be reckoned with. Kennedy beat Prairie earlier in the season and defeated both of last week’s opponents by 21 points.
9. Humboldt (11-0)
Last week: unranked
Up next: Tuesday vs. Webster City
There are three undefeated teams in Class 3A. So how did Humboldt make its way onto the list? The Wildcats handed Clarion-Goldfield-Dows and South Central Calhoun their only loss of the season, and it doesn’t look like other teams can get in Humboldt’s way.
10. Sioux City East (8-2)
Last week: 9
Up next: Tuesday vs. Bishop Heelan
The Raiders split last week’s games: a loss against Council Bluffs Lincoln and a win over LeMars. Sioux City East is still competitive, but a one-point win over a Class 3A team isn’t going to work down the road.
Alyssa Hertel is a college sports recruiting reporter for the Des Moines Register. Contact Alyssa at ahertel@dmreg.com or on Twitter @AlyssaHertel.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa boys basketball rankings: Games between top teams set for Friday
