Basketball

As the oldest sanctioned IGHSAU sport, girls began playing high school basketball in the 1920s, even when many people believed they should not play. But the enthusiasm for the sport and the annual state tournament ignited passion for the game. In fact, the Iowa Girls State High School Basketball tournament is the oldest girls’ high school tournament of its kind and has been known for its great basketball and exciting half-time shows. Iowa girls basketball was played in a six-on-six format until 1994, when all school districts switched to five-on-five. Today, the sport is still an audience favorite, culminating in the one-of-kind state tournament and encouraging Iowa girls to develop team-building skills and lifelong friendships. IGHSAU currently have five classes of basketball with more than 7,500 girls playing.