Iowa High School girls’ basketball has a rich history that dates back to the 1920s but it was in 1993 when this game witnessed a significant change. That year, Iowa became the last state to move away from 6-on-6 basketball, ending an era of the sport that had lasted for over 70 years. Despite the change, the enthusiasm for girls’ basketball among fans remains strong statewide. Let’s dive into how girls’ basketball has impacted communities in Iowa and the state’s love for the sport even today.
The Legacy of 6-On-6 Basketball
For over seven decades, Iowa high school girls played 6-on-6 basketball, which required finesse and skill combined with speed and agility. The game depended on passing, cutting, screen and roll, and moving without the ball. The Mediapolis High School’s Bullettes won a state championship in 1973 and were celebrated by their community. The girls’ basketball state tournament was the oldest sanctioned girls sport in Iowa.
The unique style of play piqued the interest of spectators, who found satisfaction in seeing both offense and defense at the same time. The game was designed to keep every player engaged and utilize each one’s strengths.
Girls’ Basketball Today
Although 6-on-6 basketball no longer exists today, its legacy remains strong across the state. Fans continue to show enthusiasm for the game as they bring their families to support teams at all levels.
From high school contests to college games, women’s basketball has sustained its popularity across Iowa. The Hawkeye women’s basketball team made it to NCAA semifinals this season, attracting sellout crowds and record-breaking TV ratings.
Heather Heddens – A Passionate Women’s Basketball Advocate
Heather Heddens is someone who has made women’s basketball her life. Basketball has been a throughline for her life, from playing pick-up games as a kid to organized leagues and intramural games in college. Too short to play college basketball, Heddens shifted gears into coaching and volunteered as an assistant girls’ coach at Iowa City High School.
She also supported women’s basketball at the University of Iowa when she was working as an administrative assistant in the athletic department. Heddens recalls feeling that excitement firsthand during the Bullettes’ championship run in 1973.
Iowa Women’s Basketball Team Honors Christine Grant
In 2021, Christine Grant, former Iowa women’s athletics director, passed away after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Before her passing, Grant expressed her wish to witness Iowa women’s basketball team make it to the Final Four. She was one of the important hires of Lisa Bluder’s career, the current head coach of the Iowa women’s basketball team.
Grant’s friend and first Iowa women’s basketball coach, Lark Birdsong, expressed that Grant believed it was a “when” and not an “if” for Bluder to lead the Hawkeyes to the Final Four. In March 2021, Iowa made it to the Final Four, over a year after Grant’s death.
Birdsong brought a sweater that belonged to Grant to symbolically bring her to Dallas, surprising Bluder with the gift. Bluder wore the marigold sweater for part of Iowa’s shootaround, and the team passed it around for everyone to feel the sweater and get a piece of Dr. Grant’s DNA.
The Iowa women’s basketball team has continued its legacy of gender equity in sports under Grant’s direction. The players and coaches look up to her and draw inspiration from her legacy.
Conclusion
Girls’ basketball has had a significant impact on communities across Iowa since its inception. Although 6-on-6 basketball is no longer a part of the game, it left an indelible impression on the state’s love for the sport.
The successful run of the Iowa women’s basketball team this year is a testament to Christine Grant’s legacy and how her commitment to gender equity in sports continues to inspire generations of female athletes today. The team made history by reaching the NCAA semifinals, bringing pride to their communities, and creating memories that will last a lifetime.
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