Rivalry Saturday makes 13th appearance

CEDAR RAPIDS — The 13th version of Rivalry Saturday has a little of everything.

There's the bragging-rights battle of Marion.

There's the 1-vs.-2 rematch between small-school giants.

There are five teams making their U.S. Cellular Center debut.

Here's what you won't see: Mediocrity.

Ten of the 16 participants are ranked. All are above .500, and they enter the weekend with a composite record of 118-32.

'There will be a lot of talent there, a lot of new teams, and a hopefully that freshness draws some good fan interest,' said Scot Moenck, coach at Maquoketa Valley and event director.

Rivalry Saturday begins at 9:15 a.m., with the only matchup that has league implications; Camanche (8-4) faces Class 2A 14th-rated Bellevue (8-2) in a River Valley Conference contest.

The rest of the schedule:

10:50 a.m. — Montezuma (6-3) vs. Fairfield (6-3).

12:25 p.m. — 4A No. 2 Marion (9-0) vs. 5A No. 12 Linn-Mar (7-2).

2 p.m. — Maquoketa Valley (7-3) vs. Interstate 35 (5-3).

3:35 p.m. — 4A No. 10 Boone (8-2) vs. Waverly-Shell Rock (7-3).

5:10 p.m. — 5A No. 3 Iowa City West (7-1) vs. 4A No. 1 Pella (7-0).

6:45 p.m. — 1A No. 1 Springville (9-0) vs. 1A No. 2 Turkey Valley (10-0).

8:20 p.m. — 3A No. 5 Center Point-Urbana (8-1) vs. 4A No. 4 Grinnell (6-2).

This is the second year with an eight-game slate. Four games stick out — the Marion/Linn-Mar battle, and the final three games.

Marion and Linn-Mar are meeting for the fourth time at Rivalry Saturday, and the third consecutive year. The Lions won each of the previous encounters, but the Indians are slight favorites this time.

'It will be a good matchup,' Linn-Mar Coach Jaime Brandt said. 'Marion plays extremely hard. Their guards all can shoot, and defensively, they really get after it.

'We both play Friday night, and it will be a quick turnaround. It will be interesting to see how both teams come ready to play.'

For Springville, it will be a second stiff challenge in two days. The Orioles play at unbeaten North Linn in a Tri-Rivers Conference West Division showdown Friday, then Turkey Valley awaits Saturday.

'It will be a good time to see where we're at,' Orioles Coach Nate Sanderson said. 'We look forward to the challenge that both teams present.

'North Linn can really stretch a zone with its shooters, and Turkey Valley plays a lot of full-court man and can turn you over.'

Turkey Valley defeated Springville at Rivalry Saturday last year, then the Orioles won a 49-48 thriller in the 1A state final last year.

Springville owns a 25-game winning streak, second only in the state to Pocahontas Area's 37-game run.

'I'm feeling better and better about finding balance on offense, and our defense is rotating well,' Sanderson said.

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