Friday’s best: 5 area girls’ basketball regional games to watch (1A, 2A semifinals, Feb. 16, 2024)

The gang’s not ALL here, but most of the key members are.

The Tri-Rivers Conference West Division will be out in waves Friday, sending a “high five” into the Class 2A and Class 1A girls’ basketball regional semifinals.

Ranked No. 1 in 1A, North Linn (21-1) is the division’s ringleader and favored to be playing in March, in Des Moines.

None of the other four surviving Tri-Rivers West teams — Edgewood-Colesburg and Springville in 1A, Maquoketa Valley and Alburnett in 2A — are ranked, but all could be a hassle as the postseason rolls on.

Here is a look at Friday’s top five area games:

Maquoketa Valley (14-8) at No. 6 Iowa City Regina (18-4)

Class 2A Region 4

Regina is 9-0 against 2A competition this season; three of the Regals’ losses came against 3A top-eight teams, the other to 1A No. 1 North Linn. The Regals are fueled by River Valley Conference South Division player of the year Morgan Miller, a junior who averages 19.5 points per game. Maquoketa Valley dropped four of its last five regular-season games (three by six points or less), but bounced back with a 65-47 win over Bellevue in the first round.

Alburnett (10-12) at No. 11 Cascade (15-6)

Class 2A Region 4

Both teams advanced from the quarterfinals in nail-biting fashion. Cascade, as expected, got a severe challenge from Dyersville Beckman before prevailing in overtime, 32-30. The Cougars held the Blazers to three points in the fourth quarter and none in overtime. Alburnett pulled a mild upset, 51-48, at Northeast. The school’s all-time leading rebounder, senior Ally Olmstead compiled 21 points and 19 boards in the victory, the Pirates’ third straight and sixth in the last eight games.

Lansing Kee (18-5) at Edgewood-Colesburg (18-4)

Class 1A Region 1

Ed-Co won a 50-point regional game against Kee last year, but the circumstances are far different this time. The Hawks’ 13-win improvement from 2022-23 (they were 5-15) is the most substantial in the area, and with most of their key components being sophomores (like Addison Winters) and freshmen (see, Rylee Mudderman), the future is through-the-roof bright. Ed-Co counters with a veteran lineup led by senior Audrie Helmrichs (15.8 ppg, 12.1 rpg, .581 FG%). The Vikings edged East Buchanan, 53-50, in the quarterfinals for their ninth straight win.

Springville (18-6) at No. 7 Calamus-Wheatland (22-1)

Class 1A Region 7

While Springville is one of five teams still alive from the Tri-Rivers West Division, Cal-Wheat is the last remaining survivor from the East. But the Warriors are legit, with their lone loss coming against No. 1 North Linn, followed by 12 straight wins. They possess three double-figure scorers in seniors Emily Boeckmann and Kahlie Hill, and sophomore Katie Hein. Springville has developed a handful of stars in the past 15 years, and has its next one in sophomore Rowan Jacobi (23.5 points, 11.5 rebounds per game). Springville has won seven in a row.

No. 15 Fort Madison Holy Trinity (20-2) at No. 9 Montezuma (18-4)

Class 1A Region 8

One of three teams (along with Lynnville-Sully and North Mahaska) to share the South Iowa Cedar League West Division title, the Bravettes have reloaded with a cast of underclassmen, led by juniors Ellen Cook and Shiressa Wetering. Montezuma loves the long shot, making 8.5 3-pointers per game and trying 26.2. Long a volleyball powerhouse, Holy Trinity has become adept in basketball, too, tying Danville for the SEISC South Division title. The Crusaders allowed 27 points — total — in their first two regional games.

Friday’s Class 2A Regional Semifinals

(All games 7 p.m.)

Region 1

Sumner-Fredericksburg (13-10) at No. 1 Dike-New Hartford (20-2)

Jesup (17-5) at Aplington-Parkersburg (18-4)

Region 4

Maquoketa Valley (14-8) at No. 6 Iowa City Regina (18-4)

Alburnett (10-12) at No. 11 Cascade (15-6)

Friday’s Class 1A Regional Semifinals

(All games 7 p.m.)

Region 1

Dunkerton (18-5) at No. 1 North Linn (21-1)

Lansing Kee (18-5) at Edgewood-Colesburg (18-4)

Region 2

Ackley AGWSR (12-9) at No. 2 Newell-Fonda (20-2)

HLV (11-9) at No. 13 Coon Rapids-Bayard (19-3)

Region 3

Sigourney (19-4) at No. 6 Martensdale-St. Marys (16-6)

Mount Ayr (16-6) at No. 12 Fremont-Mills (22-0)

Region 7

Springville (18-6) at No. 7 Calamus-Wheatland (22-1)

Danville (18-4) at No. 11 Lynnville-Sully (19-3)

Region 8

No. 15 Fort Madison Holy Trinity (20-2) at No. 9 Montezuma (18-4)

Wayne (13-10) at No. 8 Anita CAM (20-2)

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com