2026 Iowa PBS Sports Pregame Show (5A, 3A)

Welcome to the Casey Center in downtown Des Moines. And to the always highly anticipated Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union state basketball championships on your statewide network. Iowa PBS. There's the court. Focus on the light. Come to the light. That's where we're at tonight here. I'm Paul Yeager. We will have all the action, the emotion, the pageantry of Class 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A and 5A, over the next two days. But first we are going to go back down to the floor and the All Iowa Honor Dance team celebrating 45 years. Here's Scott Enyart.

(Dancers in white costumes form ten vertical lines.)

Please welcome the All Iowa Honor Dance team under the direction of Kathy Enyart as they perform for your pregame entertainment, 50 dancers will perform a cape routine to America. The pregame performance was choreographed by Rachel Were and Ella Johner from Pella. Ladies and gentlemen, the All Iowa Honor Dance team.

("They're Coming to America" instrumental music playing.)

(Dancers open their arms revealing red and blue wings of their costumes.)

♪ Far, we've been traveling far ♪
♪ Without a home, but not without a star ♪
♪ Got a dream to take them there. They're coming to America. ♪
♪ Got a dream they come to share. ♪
♪ They're coming to America. ♪
♪ They're coming to America. ♪
♪ They're coming to America. ♪
♪ They're coming to America. ♪
♪ They're coming to America. ♪
♪ Today. ♪
♪ Today. ♪
♪ Today. ♪
♪ Today. ♪
♪ Today. ♪

(Applause)

[Enyart] Ladies and gentlemen, please stand if you are able, and remove your caps as we honor America, our active and retired veterans and their families. The All Iowa Dancers will now perform a patriotic finale featuring all the state flags of our great nation.

("The Washington Post" march music playing.)

Presenting tonight's colors. Our soldiers from the Iowa Army National Guard, the national anthem will be sung by Dawson Huinker from Dowling Catholic High School.

♪ O say can you see, by the dawn’s early light, ♪ 
♪ What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last gleaming, ♪ 
♪ Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight ♪ 
♪ O’er the ramparts we watch’d were so gallantly streaming ♪ 
♪ And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air, ♪ 
♪ Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there, ♪ 
♪ O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave ♪ 
♪ O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave ♪ 

(Applause)

Dawson Huinker and the All Iowa Honor Dance team.

(Applause)

[Paul Yeager] What a sight, what a performance. What a way to start our weekend. It's all part of the tradition of supporting and recognizing the accomplishments of our state's student athletes. Here's one more thing about that endearing community connection.

Hello, I'm Travis Graven with Iowa PBS, and joining me is Abram Tubbs. He's the president and CEO of Onward Bancshares Incorporated in Maquoketa and chairman of the Iowa Bankers Association. And Abram, tell me why supporting Iowa PBS is important, as well as supporting high school athletes across the state of Iowa.

[Abram Tubbs] Sure, the Student Athlete Achievement Awards recognize not just athletic success, but also, and maybe more importantly, accomplishments in academics, leadership, and character. For over 30 years, the IBA has awarded scholarships to student athletes, helping invest in our young people who we hope will choose to build their futures right here in Iowa.

[Graven] And why is investing in young people so important to the banking industry?

[Tubbs] By investing in Iowa students education and financial literacy, we strengthen the workforce of the future. This commitment to long term growth is why we proudly support students saving for higher education.

[Graven] Thank you for your support of Iowa PBS and for the Iowa Bankers Association's support of the Student Athlete Achievement Awards.

[Yeager] Thank you very much, Travis. And those scholarships will be awarded down on the floor throughout the championships. During game times of all classes. Now, here's the big question. Are you ready for some state championship basketball? We're going to be right back as teams are ready to take the floor in Class 5A. Right after this basketball coverage. Coming up next on Iowa PBS.