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In honor of the first day of practice, here are The Gazette’s preseason girls’ basketball rankings for 2025-26.

Class 5A

1. Johnston (26-0, 5A state champion)

2. Waukee Northwest (19-5, 5A state semifinalist)

3. West Des Moines Dowling (22-4, 5A state runner-up)

4. Iowa City Liberty (17-7, 5A state quarterfinalist)

5. Cedar Rapids Prairie (20-5, 5A state quarterfinalist)

6. Iowa City West (15-9, 5A regional finalist)

7. Cedar Rapids Washington (13-10, 5A regional finalist)

8. Waukee (13-11, 5A regional finalist)

9. Ankeny (10-13, 5A regional finalist)

10. Iowa City High (16-8, 5A regional finalist)

Next five (alphabetic order): Ankeny Centennial (17-8), Bettendorf (16-6), Pleasant

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