Regina lacks size, but not much else

Iowa City Regina's girls basketball team is big-time, without being big.

Despite playing without a dominating post, second-ranked Regina is the lone unbeaten in Class 2A as it begins regional action Tuesday.

Tipoff is 7 p.m. at home against Jesup.

'We're not big, but we're scrappy,' second-year coach Matt Bolger said of the Regals (21-0). 'And these girls are used to winning. There have been a few games in which we've trailed in the fourth quarter, but there's never any doubt among these girls that winning is still a possibility.'

The postseason moves to the regional-quarterfinal round in 2A and 1A Tuesday. With nobody standing taller than 5-foot-10, Regina figures to be at a size disadvantage throughout the postseason.

'Size is the one thing we really lack,' Bolger said. 'But we have a cohesive team. Everybody has found their role. It has taken some time, but everybody has bought in.'

Sophomore guard Mary Crompton 'has taken more of a leadership role' this season, Bolger said. Crompton is averaging 15.3 points per game and shoots 44 percent from 3-point range. Junior Sarah Lehman adds 10.7 points per contest.

Jesup (9-13) opened tournament play with a 60-51 win over Wapsie Valley on Saturday; The Regals earned a first-round bye.

To go unbeaten in the regular season is an accomplishment in itself. To do it in a power league like the River Valley Conference is saying something. Regina was able to notch a pair of two-point wins over No. 6 West Branch (18-3). If the Regals and the Bears meet again, it will be in Des Moines. West Branch hosts Wilton (5-18) on Tuesday.

North Linn (18-3) needs two more victories for its sixth consecutive 20-win season, three more for its third straight state berth. Last year's 2A state runner-up, the Lynx host South Winneshiek (6-16) Tuesday, and would be Regina's regional-final foe if both teams advance that far.

Three of the top area small-school teams — Springville, Turkey Valley and Montezuma — have a common denominator, and that's defense. They are ranked 1-2-3 in 1A in scoring defense, allowing 25.6, 29.5 and 30.9 points per game, respectively.

No. 1 Turkey Valley (21-0) opens its tournament run with a home date against Ackley AGWSR (13-8). No. 3 Springville (20-1), last year's 1A runner-up, hosts Tri-County (7-13). No. 5 Lansing Kee (19-2) has a tricky opener at home against Elkader Central (13-8), and No. 9 Montezuma (20-1) entertains Southeast Warren (8-14).

CLASS 2A REGIONAL QUARTERFINALS

(All games, 7 p.m.)

Region 3

Jesup (9-13) at Iowa City Regina (21-0)

Nashua-Plainfield (2-20) at Sumner-Fredericksburg (16-4)

South Winneshiek (6-16) at North Linn (18-3)

MFL MarMac (10-9) at Alburnett (11-10)

Region 4

Wilton (5-18) at West Branch (18-3)

Starmont (8-14) at Edgewood-Colesburg (8-13)

North Cedar (8-15) at Durant (16-5)

Bellevue (11-11) at Maquoketa Valley (16-5)

Region 5

Columbus Community (9-14) at Pekin (21-1)

West Burlington (7-13) at Highland (17-5)

Pella Christian (8-14) at Van Meter (19-2)

Conrad BCLUW (11-10) at South Hardin (13-8)

CLASS 1A REGIONAL QUARTERFINALS

(All games, 7 p.m.)

Region 2

Ackley AGWSR (13-8) at Turkey Valley (21-0)

Janesville (14-8) at Tripoli (14-7)

Clarksville (11-11) at Northwood-Kensett (17-4)

Algona Garrigan (16-6) at Rockford (12-10)

Region 3

Elkader Central (13-8) at Lansing Kee (19-2)

Central City (8-15) at Dunkerton (18-4)

Garwin GMG (12-10) at Lynnville-Sully (19-2)

Gladbrook-Reinbeck (4-17) vs. North Tama (14-8), at Belle Plaine

Region 4

WACO (8-15) at Burlington Notre Dame (20-1)

New London (14-8) at Fort Madison Holy Trinity (11-11)

Calamus-Wheatland (9-14) at Bellevue Marquette (12-6)

Easton Valley (14-8) at Lone Tree (15-7)

Region 5

Tri-County (7-13) at Springville (20-1)

Cedar Valley Christian (10-11) vs. Sigourney (13-9), at Marengo

Southeast Warren (8-14) at Montezuma (20-1)

Wayne (8-13) at Moravia (21-2)

l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@thegazette.com