Iowa State Tournament Class 5A All-Quarterfinal Team

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;howe30&nbsp;in the coupon code area</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Being one of only eight teams to reach the state tournament ranks as a major accomplishment. Take a bow if you're competing in Des Moines this week. Cherish the memory no matter the result. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 edition tipped off Monday morning with Class 5A action getting underway at the Casey's Center. Results, summaries and box scores were scheduled to be posted <a href="https://ighsau.org/news/class-5a-state-basketball-scores-stats"><strong>HERE</strong></a> throughout the event. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We thought it would be fun to put together an all-quarterfinal team from Monday's large-school games. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at who landed on the squad:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='557354' first='Jenica' last='Lewis'], 2026, G, Johnston: </strong>The best player on the prohibitive favorite didn't shoot the ball as well as she's capable (mostly from behind the arc), but Lewis still led the Dragons with 13 points in a victory against Centennial. The Notre Dame commitment also led the winners with three assists and three steals, and ranked second with six rebounds. A Lewis offensive rebound and old-school three-point play started a decisive run between the second and third quarters that pushed Johnston's lead from 10 points to 20. She added a pair of steals, an assist and more three points in the spurt that put the Dragons in control of the game for good.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='342205' first='Jayla' last='Williams'], 2026, G, Ankeny: </strong>Like Lewis, Williams is a <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2026-girls-high-school-basketball-national-player-rankings/">Top 100 player</a> in the senior class nationally, according to Prep Girls Hoops. And, like Lewis, Williams shined during the quarterfinals. The Creighton pledge poured in a game-high 18 points in a win against Cedar Rapids Washington. The senior rounded out a super all-around performance with 13 rebounds, five steals, four assists and two blocks. Washington led the contest heading into the fourth quarter, when Williams helped will her team to victory. She was especially strong defensively and on the boards during winning time, but also scored and set up teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='582813' first='Ellie' last='Muller'], 2026, F, Dowling Catholic: </strong>Muller was another star that met the moment Monday during a quarterfinal win against rival Valley. The Missouri commitment netted 16 points, grabbed 15 rebounds, blocked six shots and handed out three assists. Clinging to a two-point lead with two minutes to go in regulation, the senior delivered winning plays without even putting the ball through the hoop. Muller grabbed two rebounds, handed out an assist and blocked a shot to help close out the triumph. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1238790' first='Adrienne' last='Sears'], 2029, G, Dowling Catholic: </strong>It would have been difficult scripting a better state-tournament debut than Sears authored on Monday. During the most tightly-contested game of the day, against a rival, the freshman led all 5A scorers with 24 points. She shot 8 of 9 from the floor and 7 of 10 from the foul line, and added two assists, a rebound and a steal in 30 minutes. Sears sank 3 of 4 free throws in the final two minutes when the Maroons turned a two-point advantage into a seven-point victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='935274' first='Vana' last='Bilic'], 2026, G, Waukee Northwest: </strong>We'd like to report a Monday robbery at the Casey's Center in downtown Des Moines. Bilic harassed Iowa City West throughout the game in coming up with seven steals in a decisive victory. The Waldorf pledge also tallied 15 points, four assists and a pair of rebounds in 21 minutes. The Wolves stretched an eight-point advantage after one quarter into a 17-point lead during the first five minutes of the second. In that spurt that put Northwest in control, Bilic produced four points, two assists and two steals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HONOR ROLL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='880913' first='Kelli' last='Kalb'], Johnston: </strong>10 points, 11 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 steals</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='644558' first='Daya' last='Phillips'], Johnston:</strong> 10 points (5-7 FG), 3 rebounds, 2 steals</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='923916' first='Lizzie' last='Beam'], Centennial: </strong>12 rebounds, 4 rebounds, 2 steals</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1044947' first='Kyla' last='Schaapveld'], Ankeny:</strong> 15 points, 4 rebounds</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='561262' first='Reagan' last='Baldwin'], Ankeny:</strong> 15 points, 2 assists</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='502240' first='Samantha' last='Becker'], CR Washington:</strong> 13 points, 10 rebounds, 3 steals</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='677842' first='Tylee' last='Weite'], Valley: </strong>13 points, 5 rebounds</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='777236' first='Baileigh' last='Uthoff'], Valley: </strong>12 points, 3 assists</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1092007' first='Sadie' last='McCann'], Waukee Northwest: </strong>18 points (8-11 FG), 6 rebounds </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='777233' first='Romey' last='Croatt'], Waukee Northwest: </strong>12 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 assists</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='641977' first='Grace' last='Fincham'], Iowa City West: </strong>13 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->