CIML Conference basketball standings

Johnston defender Aaliyah Riley tries to prevent Ankeny’s Jayla Williams from driving to the basket during Friday’s game at Johnston. Williams scored a game-high 18 points, but the Dragons posted a 70-49 victory to remain atop the CIML Conference standings along with Valley and Waukee. (Photo by Drue Wolfe)

With eight of the top 12 girls’ basketball teams in Class 5A from the CIML Conference, the race for the league crown this season could be a dogfight, although No. 1 Johnston is the clear favorite.

The Dragons are already off to an impressive start, having won their first three games by an average of 26 points. They are joined at the top of the conference standings by No. 5 Valley and No. 7 Waukee, which are also 2-0 in league play.

On the boys’ side, defending Class 4A state champion Valley is off to a 2-0 start in conference play along with Waukee.

Here are the current standings:

GIRLS

Valley 2-0 4-0

Waukee 2-0 4-0

Johnston 2-0 3-0

Ankeny Centennial 1-1 3-1

Dowling Catholic 1-1 2-2

Southeast Polk 0-1 3-1

Urbandale 0-1 2-2

Ankeny 0-2 2-2

Waukee Northwest 0-2 2-2

Monday’s score

Johnston 83, Cedar Rapids Prairie 42

Tuesday’s scores

Ankeny Centennial 75, Urbandale 33

Johnston 72, Waukee Northwest 56

Southeast Polk 75, Indianola 34

Valley 55, Dowling Catholic 42

Waukee 62, Ankeny 57

Friday’s scores

Dowling Catholic 60, Ankeny Centennial 34

Johnston 70, Ankeny 49

Urbandale 60, Marshalltown 18

Valley 53, Waukee Northwest 38

Waukee 55, Southeast Polk 41

Saturday’s score

Waukee 56, Linn-Mar (Marion) 25

Tuesday’s games

Ankeny at Southeast Polk

Dowling Catholic at Johnston

Valley at Urbandale

Friday’s games

Ames at Ankeny

Johnston at Urbandale

Southeast Polk at Waukee Northwest

Valley at Ankeny Centennial

Waukee at Dowling Catholic

**Ankeny Centennial’s Joey Oakie drives to the basket during Tuesday’s game at Urbandale. He scored 12 points in the Jaguars’ 64-51 win. (Photo by Drue Wolfe)**

BOYS

Valley 2-0 2-0

Waukee 2-0 2-1

Dowling Catholic 1-1 2-1

Johnston 1-1 2-1

Ankeny 1-1 1-1

Ankeny Centennial 1-1 1-1

Southeast Polk 0-1 1-1

Urbandale 0-1 1-1

Waukee Northwest 0-2 1-2

Tuesday’s scores

Ankeny Centennial 64, Urbandale 51

Johnston 51, Waukee Northwest 46

Southeast Polk 53, Indianola 35

Valley 72, Dowling Catholic 69

Waukee 83, Ankeny 73

Friday’s scores

Ankeny 51, Johnston 45

Dowling Catholic 79, Ankeny Centennial 64

Urbandale 63, Marshalltown 35

Valley 70, Waukee Northwest 47

Waukee 86, Southeast Polk 63

Saturday’s scores

Dowling Catholic 58, Des Moines Roosevelt 43

Johnston 68, Cedar Rapids Prairie 57

Linn-Mar (Marion) 61, Waukee 59

Waukee Northwest 76, Sioux City West 37