A look at the field in the 19th rendition of Rivalry Saturday

CEDAR RAPIDS — The 19th rendition of Rivalry Saturday is, well, Saturday at Johnson Hall on the campus of Kirkwood Community College.

The eight-game (and probably 13-hour) event features seven teams that advanced to last year’s state tournament, including champions Pleasant Valley (Class 5A) and Dike-New Hartford (three in a row in 2A).

Estherville-Lincoln Central (3A), Dike-New Hartford (2A) and North Linn (1A) are ranked No. 1 in their respective classes.

Here are thumbnails on the eight games:

Cascade (0-0) vs. Springville (0-1)

9:15 a.m.

Springville is a Rivalry Saturday regular, making its 11th appearance (the Orioles are 6-4 in the event). Cascade went 19-3 last year; Springville was 19-5. Both teams are in transition this winter, losing more than half of their scoring from 2022-23. Springville opened with a 47-23 Tri-Rivers Conference West Division loss to Edgewood-Colesburg.

3A No. 9 Monticello (1-0) vs. Maquoketa Valley (1-0)

10:50 a.m.

Both teams kicked off their season with victories Tuesday. Monticello rallied from a 10-point halftime deficit to edge West Delaware, 47-42, at Manchester. The Panthers are led by junior Jayden Kuper, who averaged 18.7 points and 9.9 rebounds per game last season. Maquoketa Valley romped past Central City, 76-46. Wildcats Coach Scot Moenck is the event director, and the Wildcats are making their 13th Rivalry Saturday appearance.

3A No. 1 Estherville ELC (0-0) vs. 4A No. 15 Western Dubuque (1-1)

12:25 p.m.

Estherville-Lincoln Central is making a four-hour, 250-mile trek to Cedar Rapids for its first Rivalry Saturday appearance. The Midgets won the 3A title in 2022 and were unbeaten last year before a first-round upset loss to Vinton-Shellsburg. Three starters are back from that 24-1 team, including junior all-state guard Haylee Stokes. Count on Western Dubuque (5-19 last year) being the most improved team in the area this winter. All five starters are back from a balanced squad that reached the regional finals.

Linn-Mar (1-0) vs. Marion (1-0)

2 p.m.

This crosstown rivalry have been a common Rivalry Saturday matchup; the Lions and the Wolves met four straight years here in a run that ended in 2017. Both teams opened with a highly defensive season-opening win. Linn-Mar pulled away from an 11-7 halftime slog to beat Bettendorf, 37-24, Tuesday behind Ellie Daubenmier’s 15 points. Marion won a 49-31 decision Monday at home against Dyersville Beckman.

3A No. 6 Mount Vernon (0-0) vs. 4A No. 14 Maquoketa (2-0)

3:35 p.m.

Rivalry Saturday rookie Maquoketa returns every piece from last year’s breakthrough season, and the Cardinals have hit the ground running (and gunning). Sophomore Cora Widel is off to a jaw-dropping start, averaging 32.5 points through the first two games, hitting 12 of 23 shots from 3-point range. Mount Vernon (16-8 last year) was going to be strong this season anyway, but the addition of junior Sydney Huber (a transfer from Cedar Rapids Xavier) lifts the Mustangs into the 3A upper crust.

5A No. 2 Pleasant Valley (0-0) vs. 5A No. 5 Ankeny Centennial (1-0)

5:20 p.m.

Reigning big-school champion Pleasant Valley comes into the season with a 25-game winning streak and four returning starters, led by junior Reagan Pagniano (13.3 ppg). A suffocating defense is the Spartans’ identity; they held 20 of 25 opponents under 35 points last year. Centennial made its Rivalry Saturday debut last year, and went on to reach the 5A state semifinals. Jaguars Coach Scott DeJong has won seven state titles, most of any girls’ basketball coach in Iowa history, and his 686 career wins ranks 11th in Iowa.

2A No. 1 Dike-New Hartford (1-0) vs. 3A No. 2 Solon (1-0)

6:55 p.m.

Dike-New Hartford’s last three seasons have produced a 77-3 record and three 2A championships, and the Wolverines are favored to extend that title run behind the Petersen twins and Maryn Bixby (who also won three state volleyball championships). DNH pulled away in the second half to beat Decorah, 72-47, Tuesday. Solon reached the 3A semifinals last year and returns all five starters, led by University of Iowa signee Callie Levin. The Spartans were 62-41 winners last Friday at Martensdale-St. Marys.

1A No. 1 North Linn (1-0) vs. 4A No. 2 Clear Creek Amana (0-0)

8:30 p.m.

After blasting Starmont, 83-5, in the first game of the season, North Linn receives a much better test in Saturday’s finale. Both teams are stocked with returning talent. In Kamryn Kurt, Macy Boge and Molly Boge, North Linn returns three double-digit scorers from last year’s 1A state-semifinal squad, and the Lynx are a very good bet to reach the 20-win mark for the 14th consecutive season. CCA brings back three double-digit scorers of their own in Ava Locklear, Averie Lower and Bliss Beck from a squad that advanced to state in 4A.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com