Examining the area girls’ basketball regional brackets in 3A, 2A and 1A

In Mount Vernon, Solon and North Linn, you’ve got your heavy favorites.

In Iowa City Regina-Cascade, Benton Community-Monticello and Montezuma-CAM, you’ve got your regional-final showdowns.

And in Springville, you’ve got your perfect off-the-radar dark horse.

The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union released its girls’ basketball regional pairings Wednesday. The postseason trail begins next Thursday in Class 1A, Feb. 10 in 2A and 3A.

Following is a synopsis on each region that includes area teams. The Union will release 4A and 5A pairings next week.

Class 3A

Quarterfinals: Feb. 10

Semifinals: Feb. 14

Finals: Feb. 17

REGION 1

Mount Vernon (16-2) slid a notch to No. 2 in this week’s rankings, but still earned a highly navigable path. The Mustangs are the only ranked team in the bracket and won’t face a team with a winning record until the regional finals, when they are likely to host Mediapolis (14-3) or Tipton (12-5).

REGION 5

A state semifinalist last year, No. 4 Solon (15-3) is heavily favored to return. According to the BC Moore computer, the Spartans are 30 points better than anyone else in the bracket. No. 13 Chariton (15-2), currently sitting in second place in the South Central Conference, is the probable regional-final foe.

REGION 6

A member of the Mississippi Valley Conference, No. 7 Dubuque Wahlert (16-3) already has 15 victories against 5A/4A competition, and the Golden Eagles were state qualifiers last year. They are the favorites. No. 15 West Delaware (9-9) is led by the state’s leading shot blocker in Brooke Krogmann and is the top team in the bottom bracket. Wahlert beat the Hawks, 57-42, Dec. 16.

REGION 8

If form holds, No. 8 Benton Community (12-6) and No. 9 Monticello (14-3) should wage one of the best regional-final battles in 3A. The Bobcats have four starters back from last year’s state-runner-up outfit, while Monticello is seeking a River Valley Conference North Division title. Both teams could have a tricky semifinal: Benton probably could host Williamsburg (10-7); Monticello could welcome Monroe PCM (13-5).

Class 2A

First round: Feb. 10

Quarterfinals: Feb. 13

Semifinals: Feb. 16

Finals: Feb. 21

REGION 1

Three-time defending state champion Dike-New Hartford (16-2) is the lone ranked squad here. One of the top early-round matchups is a quarterfinal between Sumner-Fredericksburg (10-8) and Upper Iowa Conference champion MFL MarMac (13-6), which will be contested an Monona, with the winner getting their shot at the mighty Wolverines in the semifinals. Aplington-Parkersburg (13-4) and Jesup (13-4) headline the bottom half of the draw.

REGION 4

Traditional River Valley Conference powers Iowa City Regina (No. 6, 14-4) and Cascade (12-4) weren’t scheduled in the regular season, so why not an regional-final encounter when the stakes are highest? Regina probably will have to get through always-challenging Maquoketa Valley (12-7) in a regional semifinal, while Cascade could face tricky Dyersville Beckman (5-13) right away, then Northeast (13-5) in a semifinal.

Class 1A

First round: Feb. 8

Quarterfinals: Feb. 13

Semifinals: Feb. 16

Finals: Feb. 21

REGION 1

No. 1 North Linn (18-1) is a good bet to advance to its sixth consecutive state tournament. This bracket is predominantly Tri-Rivers and Upper Iowa contestants, and the bottom half should be highly entertaining. Likely quarterfinals are East Buchanan (12-6) at Edgewood-Colesburg (16-4) and Elkader Central (12-6) at Lansing Kee (15-5).

REGION 2

Pencil in No. 2 Newell-Fonda for a seventh straight state appearance. The high-energy Mustangs should sail to the regional finals, where No. 13 Coon Rapids-Bayard (14-3) is the likely opponent. The top area teams in this bracket are Meskwaki (9-7) and HLV (8-7), who are projected to meet in the second round.

REGION 3

The lone area team in this region is Sigourney (12-4), and the Savages could be a factor. They are 6-0 since the holiday break and have moved into first place in the SICL East Division. Sigourney would run into the top seed, No. 3 Martensdale-St. Marys (16-0), in the semifinals. No. 12 Fremont-Mills (18-0) is the class of the bottom bracket.

REGION 7

If there is a good area team that got a bracket break, it’s Springville. Yes, the Orioles (14-6) are in a region with two ranked teams — No. 7 Calamus-Wheatland (19-1) and No. 11 Lynnville-Sully (16-3) — but they avoided roadblock North Linn. Tri-Rivers interdivision rivals Springville and Cal-Wheat did not meet in the regular season. Another potential dark horse is Lone Tree (18-2).

REGION 8

Winner of 15 consecutive games, No. 8 Montezuma (17-2) has elevated to role of top seed in its region. The Bravettes appear to be headed toward a regional-final showdown with No. 9 Anita CAM (17-2).

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com