Maquoketa Shocks Mount Vernon to Win State Championship
Maquoketa Captures Historic First State Title
The Maquoketa Cardinals made school history Friday night, defeating Mount Vernon 59–42 to win the 2026 IGHSAU Class 3A Girls Basketball State Championship at Casey’s Center in Des Moines.
With the victory, Maquoketa secured the first girls basketball state championship in program history, completing a remarkable season and cementing the team’s place in Iowa high school basketball history.
The Cardinals finished the season with an impressive 24–4 overall record, while also ending Mount Vernon’s bid for another state title.
Cora Widel Leads Cardinals’ Championship Effort
Maquoketa’s offense was led by senior standout Cora Widel, the program’s all-time leading scorer, who delivered a game-high 21 points in the championship matchup.
Several other Cardinals stepped up to secure the victory:
- Maelyn Kluever — 16 points
- Hadley Ihrig — 9 points
- Aubrey Kroymann — 8 points
Their balanced scoring helped Maquoketa maintain control throughout the game and pull away in the final quarter to seal the title.
Cardinals Pull Away Late
The championship game remained competitive for much of the contest, with both teams battling through the first three quarters. However, Maquoketa’s defense and efficient scoring proved decisive down the stretch.
The Cardinals surged late in the game, creating separation and preventing Mount Vernon from mounting a comeback as they closed out the 17-point victory.
Mount Vernon Falls Short in Title Defense
Mount Vernon entered the championship game as one of the tournament’s top teams and had previously advanced to the final after defeating Dubuque Wahlert Catholic in the semifinals.
Despite their strong postseason run, the Mustangs were unable to keep pace with Maquoketa’s offense and defense in the title game.
A Championship Moment for Maquoketa
Winning the Class 3A championship represents a defining moment for the Cardinals program. After years of building toward the top of Iowa high school girls basketball, Maquoketa finally broke through on the state’s biggest stage.
The historic victory at Casey’s Center not only delivered the school’s first state championship, but also capped one of the most memorable seasons in program history.