Des Moines, IA– March 6, 2026

The No. 1 seeded Johnston Dragons will look to extend their dominance when they face the No. 3 seeded Waukee Northwest Wolves in the Class 5A championship game of the Iowa Girls High School State Basketball Tournament on March 6 at Casey’s Center.

Johnston enters the championship with a perfect 26–0 record and a remarkable 77-game winning streak, the third-longest in Iowa history. The Dragons are seeking their third consecutive state championship and fifth overall after previously winning titles in 2020, 2022, 2024 and 2025. Johnston also swept the regular-season series against Northwest, winning 47–41 in December and 60–54 in January.

Leading the Dragons is senior guard Jenica Lewis, a Notre Dame commit who averages 20.5 points per game while shooting 44.6% from the field. Lewis recently surpassed 1,000 career points and also anchors Johnston defensively, averaging six steals per game. Junior guard Ari Phillips adds another scoring threat with 12.7 points per game and a 37% three-point shooting mark, while Mariah Dixon provides additional scoring depth for Johnston’s guard-heavy lineup.

Waukee Northwest, meanwhile, is making its first appearance in a state championship game. The Wolves enter the finals with a 19–5 record after defeating Dowling Catholic Maroons 56–50 in overtime in the semifinals. Northwest will look to use its size advantage and perimeter shooting to challenge the defending champions.

Senior guard Vana Bilic leads the Wolves with 13.3 points per game and shot 46.3% from the field this season. Junior guard Romey Croatt has been one of the team’s most efficient shooters, averaging 13.7 points per game while hitting 49.1% of her three-point attempts.

With Johnston chasing a third consecutive title and Northwest seeking the first championship in program history, Friday’s Class 5A final features a battle between a dominant dynasty and a rising contender.