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Recap: Johnston girls basketball wins 5A state tournament final vs. Dowling Catholic

gus martin, des moines register
·4 min read

The Class 5A Iowa high school girls basketball state tournament championship between No. 1 Johnston (25-0) vs. No. 3 Dowling Catholic (21-4) was a fun one at Wells Fargo Arena.

Check back below to re-live updates from the 5A state title game:

GAME STORY: Johnston girls basketball beats Dowling for its third Iowa state championship in five years

FINAL: Johnston 48, Dowling Catholic 36

Johnston won its third state title in five years and finished its historic season 26-0.

Defense was the name of the game tonight, as well as Jenica Lewis' ability to carry the offense after Ava Zediker and Dowling made its second-half run.

Class 5A All-Tournament Team:

  • Jenica Lewis (captain)

  • Aili Tanke

  • Ellie Muller

  • Grace Knutson

  • Divine Bourrage

  • Ava Zediker

Q4/1:04 Johnston 45, Dowling Catholic 34

Jenica Lewis' fifth triple was likely the dagger to secure Johnston's victory. She was spectacular all night, with her long-range shooting coming up clutch in the fourth quarter.

Q4/5:09 Johnston 38, Dowling Catholic 29

Jenica Lewis now has 16 points after hitting an impressive stepback triple in the corner, igniting the crowd and recapturing some momentum for Johnston.

Ava Zediker, though, came right back with a turnaround jumper the next possession.

The crowd's intensity has heightened.

Q4/7:04 Johnston 34, Dowling Catholic 27

An Ava Zediker triple forced a Johnston timeout as the Maroons began the final frame on a 5-0 run.

Zediker has seemingly found her rhythm in the second half and is carrying her team. Johnson's coach urged his group to be more assertive on both ends.

End 3: Johnston 34, Dowling Catholic 22

Dowling did much better to keep pace that frame, but because of Johnson's ability to get to and convert at the free throw line, the Maroons' success was made less significant.

Johnston's physical advantage carried the team that quarter, and they are in prime position to finish on top.

Q3/1:28 Johnston 32, Dowling Catholic 20

Dowling has finally gotten some offensive flow, led primarily Ava Zediker, who is doing all she can to keep the Maroons afloat.

Still, Johnston has repeatedly had a response for every Dowling run.

Q3/6:34 Johnston 25, Dowling Catholic 11

Neither side has been able to make anything thus far in this second half.

Johnston's Aaliyah Riley, however, has gone to the bench with four fouls.

Halftime: Johnston 25, Dowling Catholic 11

Johnston's double-team on Ava Zediker has really stifled Dowling's offense. Even though Johnston's offense hasn't been as consistent as usual, its work on the other end has the team firmly in control.

Dowling must adjust its game plan after scoring just two second-quarter points. The Maroons are losing in all facets of the game, with the rebounding and turnover differentials hurting most of all.

Q2/1:06 Johnston 25, Dowling Catholic 11

Johnston's defense has been suffocating thus far, not allowing Dowling to get much of anything in this second frame. The team has seemingly gotten better as this game has gone on.

Q2/1:48 Johnston 25, Dowling Catholic 11

Johnston is winning this frame 13-2. Dowling's defense hasn't been bad, but the offense is struggling to get anything going as shots are getting blocked frequently.

Q2/5:00 Johnston 21, Dowling Catholic 11

Johnston has slowly began to pull away and take control of this game.

Dowling needs to find a way to keep pace or be more efficient from 3.

End 1: Johnston 13, Dowling Catholic 9

Johnston bounced back from down 5-0 to start to take a solid six-point lead into the second frame.

The Dragons shot 50% from behind the arc, while Dowling converted just 1-of-5 attempts.

Aili Tanke led the way with eight points.

Q1/2:00 Johnston 8, Dowling Catholic 9

Dowling jumped out to a 5-0 start over the first few minutes before Johnston came back to tie the game.

The teams then traded buckets as we approach the end of the frame.

How to watch Johnston vs. Dowling Catholic girls basketball state championship game

More: How to watch, stream Iowa high school girls state basketball tournament schedule 2024

When is the Johnston vs. Dowling Catholic girls basketball state championship game?

  • When: Friday, March 1, 2024

  • Start time: 6 p.m. CT

  • Where: Wells Fargo Arena

Johnston girls basketball state tournament coverage

Dowling Catholic girls basketball state tournament coverage

Full Iowa high school girls state basketball tournament brackets, scores, daily results

More: Iowa high school girls state basketball tournament 2024: Scores, bracket updates daily

Gus Martin is a Digital Producer/Content Director for The Des Moines Register. Follow him on X at @GusMartin_DMR.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Johnston girls basketball vs. Dowling Catholic: recap 5A state finals