Iowa City West girls basketball team makes state tournament

Trojans defeat Iowa City Liberty 61-54 in regional final to advance to state for first time since 2021

Feb. 25, 2026 at 3:49am

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The Iowa City West girls basketball team defeated Iowa City Liberty 61-54 in the Class 5A regional final to advance to the state tournament for the first time since 2021. The Trojans, led by senior Grace Fincham's 24 points, used a barrage of 3-pointers in the first half to build a 33-21 halftime lead. Though Liberty rallied in the second half, West held on for the victory, with seniors Kate Van Waning and Sasha Baldwin making key baskets down the stretch.

Why it matters

This marks the eighth time in program history that Iowa City West has reached the state tournament, a significant achievement for the school and the team's senior class, who had fallen one game short of state in each of their first three varsity seasons. The Trojans will now have a chance to compete for a state championship.

The details

Iowa City West used a hot shooting performance in the first half, knocking down 7 three-pointers, to build a 12-point halftime lead. Though Liberty made a second-half rally to get within 3 points on a couple occasions, the Trojans were able to hold them off with key baskets from Van Waning and Baldwin. Fincham, a Drake signee, led West with 24 points, while Van Waning and Baldwin each added 11.

  • The regional final game was played on Tuesday, February 25, 2026.
  • Iowa City West last reached the state tournament in 2021.

The players

Grace Fincham

A senior at Iowa City West and a Drake signee, she led the Trojans with 24 points in the regional final victory.

Kate Van Waning

A senior at Iowa City West, she hit three 3-pointers in the first half and made key baskets down the stretch to help the Trojans hold off Iowa City Liberty.

Sasha Baldwin

A junior at Iowa City West, she combined with Van Waning to score all of West's points in a 6-2 closing run that sealed the victory.

Nate Frese

The fourth-year head coach of the Iowa City West girls basketball team, he has a close connection with the senior class and has guided the program back to the state tournament.

Natalie Ramsey

A senior at Iowa City Liberty, she led all scorers with 25 points in the regional final loss.

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What they’re saying

“It's amazing. This has been our (goal) for all four years and we just achieved that goal. We have been talking about that the whole season. Now it is time to go win it.”

— Grace Fincham, Senior, Iowa City West

“They were huge. I knew they were going in once they left my hand. They got us rolling.”

— Kate Van Waning, Senior, Iowa City West

“I have been struggling with layups this season. I just knew that my team needed this and I wanted to do it for my team. They gave me the confidence to make that shot and I just knew it was going to go in when it left my hand.”

— Kate Van Waning, Senior, Iowa City West

What’s next

Iowa City West will play a state quarterfinal game against third-seeded Waukee Northwest (17-5) on Monday, March 3, 2026 at 3:15 pm at Casey's Center.

The takeaway

This achievement marks a significant milestone for the Iowa City West girls basketball program, as the senior-led Trojans have finally broken through to the state tournament after falling just short in each of their first three varsity seasons. Their perseverance and teamwork have paid off, and they now have a chance to compete for a state championship.