It's winner take all for Mid-Prairie, Regina

Game, set, rubber match.

Iowa City Regina and Mid-Prairie were unable to determine girls' basketball superiority in the regular season, splitting their two games and sharing the Cedar Valley Conference championship.

As far as tie-breakers go, Tuesday's Class 2A regional quarterfinal certainly will suffice.

"Every game is important, but this one seems a little more special," said Regina Coach Clark Anderson. "Both teams play so hard, and we're excited for the opportunity to play them again."

Regionals roll on Tuesday in classes 2A and 1A, including three dandies in 2A Region 5 alone.

In the top half of the bracket, ninth-ranked Maquoketa Valley (22-0) hosts Cascade (18-4) while Mount Vernon (17-4) travels to Monticello (19-3).

Then, there's the battle at Regina, where the Regals (19-3) face Mid-Prairie (17-5). Tipoff is 7 p.m.

"It's going to be a huge challenge," said Mid-Prairie Coach Marc Pennington. "Not many teams go to Regina and win."

The Golden Hawks have, though. They picked up a 50-38 win at Regina on Jan. 17, avenging a 47-23 setback to the Regals on Dec. 9 in Wellman.

That's part of a string in which they have won 14 of their last 15 games.

"They've been playing really hard," Anderson said. "They've got some talented guards and are really well-coached."

Each of Mid-Prairie's top eight scorers are juniors, led by Mallory McArtor at 1o points per game.

"We don't have a lot of stars," Pennington said. "Our stats aren't gaudy by any means. We just have a bunch of kids that play well together."

Regina counters with all-state candidate Zoe Dutchik, who averages 18.1 points and 7.8 rebounds per contest.

Maquoketa Valley is the area's lone ranked team in 2A. The Wildcats have two wins over Cascade under their belts this season, but both were tight -- 43-40 and 46-42. The latter triumph wrapped up the Tri-Rivers Conference title.

The Mount Vernon-Monticello game matches teams that advanced to state last year. Monticello was a 2A semifinalist; Mount Vernon was the 3A runner-up after winning the 2A title in 2010.

At 20-3, North Linn has matched its record from a year ago. The Lynx host Jesup (11-11) in a Region 6 quarterfinal.

No. 13 North Tama is the area's best 1A team. The Redhawks (18-4) face East Buchanan (6-16) in a quarterfinal at Traer.

Regionals in 4A and 3A begin Wednesday.

TUESDAY'S CLASS 2A REGIONAL QUARTERFINALS

All games, 7 p.m.

Region 3

Clayton Ridge (12-10) at South Winneshiek (17-5)

Denver (12-9) at Sumner-Fredericksburg (21-1)

Central Springs (8-14) at Osage (18-4)

Garner-Hayfield (14-7) at West Hancock (22-0)

Region 5

Mount Vernon (17-4) at Monticello (19-3)

Cascade (18-4) at Maquoketa Valley (22-0)

Mid-Prairie (17-5) at Iowa City Regina (19-3)

Eddyville-Blakesburg (12-9) at Pella Christian (17-3)

Region 6

Dike-New Hartford (13-9) at Grundy Center (19-3)

Jesup (11-11) at North Linn (20-3)

Gladbrook-Reinbeck (15-7) at West Marshall (17-5)

Monroe PCM (13-9) at Gilbert (20-2)

TUESDAY'S CLASS 1A REGIONAL QUARTERFINALS

All games, 7 p.m.

Region 3

Lansing Kee (11-11) at Turkey Valley (13-9)

Elkader Central (7-15) at Tripoli (16-6)

Ventura (11-10) at Mason City Newman (13-9)

Clarksville (16-6) at North Butler (18-1)

Region 4

Belle Plaine (15-8) at Colo-Nesco (13-8)

Iowa Christian (17-5) at Woodward-Granger (16-6)

Cedar Falls NU High (8-15) at Janesville (11-10)

East Buchanan (6-16) at North Tama (18-4)

Region 5

Calamus-Wheatland (1-22) at Clinton Prince of Peace (15-8)

Springville (10-12) vs. Bellevue Marquette (9-10), at Preston

Iowa Mennonite (5-18) at Lisbon (13-10)

Montezuma (13-10) at North Mahaska (22-0)

Region 6

Keota (13-9) at Winfield-Mount Union (17-5)

Burlington Notre Dame (16-5) at Fort Madison Holy Trinity (8-14)

Wayne (7-15) at Moulton-Udell (15-4)

Twin Cedars (17-5) at Lynnville-Sully (20-2)