The race for the CIML Conference basketball titles will likely be decided by a handful of games over the next few weeks.
In the boys’ race, sixth-ranked Ankeny Centennial might be the only remaining contender that could prevent No. 5 Waukee from running away with the crown. The Warriors are 9-0 in the league with seven games left, while Centennial (6-2) is the only other team with fewer than three losses.
The Jaguars will play at Waukee on Jan. 23. The Warriors won the first meeting at Centennial, 70-51, on Dec. 15.
If Waukee wins the rematch, the race for the boys’ title will be all but over.
In the girls’ race, No. 1 Johnston (8-0) is in a strong position to win the crown. No. 4 Waukee (7-2) and No. 3 Dowling Catholic (6-2) are still within striking distance, however.
Here are the remaining matchups between the three contenders:
Jan. 16: Dowling Catholic at Waukee. The Maroons won the first meeting, 60-50, on Dec. 8 behind Ava Zediker, who poured in 31 points. This could be a make-or-break week for Dowling, which has another huge game coming up three nights later.
Jan. 19: Johnston at Dowling Catholic. The Dragons won the first meeting, 65-53, on Dec. 5, when they held Zediker to 18 points on 7-of-19 shooting. If the Maroons can pull off the road win at Waukee and then follow up with a victory over Johnston, things could get interesting down the stretch. But those are two big ifs.
Feb. 2: Waukee at Johnston. The Dragons pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 72-54 win at Waukee on Dec. 21. It’s possible that Johnston could have the title wrapped up by the first week in February.