The CIML Conference boys’ basketball race isn’t over just yet.
Two-time defending Class 4A state champion Valley appeared to be on the verge of the outright championship after the second-ranked Tigers clinched at least a share of the title with a 73-61 victory at No. 8 Waukee on Friday.
But the Tigers’ nine-game winning streak came to an end on Tuesday with a stunning 78-51 loss to visiting Johnston, which opened the door for both Waukee schools to earn a share of the crown.
The Warriors overcame an injury to leading scorer Evan Jacobson to post a 61-46 win at Ankeny Centennial, allowing them to move within a game of Valley. They will play at Valley in the regular-season finale on Feb. 20 and can tie for the title with a win over the Tigers.
No. 4 Waukee Northwest, which is idle this week, also benefited from Valley’s loss. The Wolves will host Ankeny on Feb. 20 and Dowling Catholic on Feb. 21 and would finish 13-3 in the conference with a pair of victories, allowing them to finish in a three-way tie for the championship if their crosstown rival beats Valley.
On the girls’ side, No. 1 Johnston completed an undefeated run through the conference on Tuesday. The Dragons rolled to a 65-38 triumph at Valley to extend their winning streak to 45 games.
Here are the current CIML Conference standings:
GIRLS
Johnston 16-0 19-0
Dowling Catholic 14-2 18-3
Waukee Northwest 12-4 16-4
Ankeny Centennial 8-7 13-7
Waukee 7-9 11-10
Southeast Polk 6-9 9-11
Ankeny 5-11 9-12
Valley 3-13 5-15
Urbandale 0-16 4-17
Tuesday’s scores
Ankeny Centennial 62, Waukee 46
Waukee Northwest 68, Ballard 24
Dowling Catholic 50, Ankeny 27
Johnston 65, Valley 38
Southeast Polk 77, Urbandale 41
Thursday’s game
Cedar Rapids Prairie at Johnston
Friday’s games
Des Moines Roosevelt at Waukee
Southeast Polk at Ankeny Centennial
Saturday’s game
Ottumwa at Valley
BOYS
Valley 13-2 15-3
Waukee 12-3 14-5
Waukee Northwest 11-3 16-3
Dowling Catholic 9-6 12-6
Johnston 9-7 11-8
Ankeny 6-8 10-9
Urbandale 5-10 7-11
Southeast Polk 1-14 5-14
Ankeny Centennial 1-14 4-14
Tuesday’s scores
Dowling Catholic 66, Ankeny 43
Johnston 78, Valley 51
Urbandale 62, Southeast Polk 40
Waukee 61, Ankeny Centennial 46
Thursday’s game
Southeast Polk at Des Moines East
Friday’s games
Des Moines Lincoln at Southeast Polk
Des Moines Roosevelt at Waukee
Johnston at Council Bluffs Jefferson
Saturday’s games
Ankeny Centennial at Waterloo West
Norwalk at Dowling Catholic
