Cedar Valley Christian seeks first girls' basketball regional semifinal

There's no Shelby Hembera on this roster, no Candace Wilson.

But, Cedar Valley Christian girls basketball coach Ron Slagle said, 'We're probably a better team than we've been in the past. We have more weapons.'

And Tuesday night, the Huskies will try to go where they've never gone before.

A first-round winner for the third time in five years, Cedar Valley Christian (9-13) plays at Belle Plaine (15-6) at 7 p.m. in a Class 1A regional quarterfinal.

'It's a team I feel we can compete with,' Slagle said. 'If we play loose, we can have some success.'

The Huskies are coming off a 58-42 first-round win over Iowa Valley.

In the past, this program has been reliant on one player. This squad has more balance, with four players averaging at least 7 points per game. All four are juniors.

'Our biggest player is 5-foot-7, so Belle Plaine will be quite a bit bigger than us,' Slagle said. 'Our conference (the Tri-Rivers) is so strong. We got pounded earlier this season. We took our lumps and got stronger because of it.'

Three of the top five teams in 1A are from the Gazette area, and all begin regionals Tuesday. Top-ranked Springville (19-2), the defending state champion, hosts HLV (8-14). No. 2 Turkey Valley (18-2) entertains Mason City Newman (11-11) and No. 5 Lansing Kee (15-4) hosts Starmont (9-13).

Springville is allowing 26.7 points per game, best in the state in any class.

Class 2A fifth-ranked North Linn (21-1) faces a bracket of unfamiliar opponents. The Lynx open at home against Waterloo Columbus (11-11).

'That's the way it is sometimes,' Lynx Coach Brian Wheatley said. 'We're doing all we can to get information.'

Led by junior Ashley Tull and freshmen Grace and Abby Flanagan, the Lynx have had six different players lead them in scoring this season.

'We've been shooting the 3-pointer well this season, and our defense has really improved,' Wheatley said.

Iowa City Regina has been the top-ranked 2A team all season. The Regals (22-0) host Tipton (7-15).

No. 8 Cascade (19-3) plays host to MFL MarMac (9-10); No. 14 Maquoketa Valley (18-4) entertains Wilton (13-9).

TUESDAY'S CLASS 2A REGIONAL QUARTERFINALS

(All games 7 p.m.)

Region 5

Waterloo Columbus (11-11) at North Linn (21-1)

Sumner-Fredericksburg (18-4) at Grundy Center (18-2)

Central Springs (14-8) at Rockford (18-3)

Lake Mills (14-8) at West Fork (15-6)

Region 6

North Mahaska (16-6) at Pella Christian (12-8)

Conrad BCLUW (10-12) at Montezuma (15-6)

MFL MarMac (9-10) at Cascade (19-2)

Wapsie Valley (9-14) at Clayton Ridge (17-4)

Region 7

Tipton (7-15) at Iowa City Regina (22-0)

Wilton (13-9) at Maquoketa Valley (18-4)

Calamus-Wheatland (8-13) at Bellevue (15-6)

North Cedar (9-13) at West Branch (13-8)

Region 8

Pleasantville (7-15) at Central Decatur (21-0)

Van Buren (16-6) at Pekin (16-4)

Danville (13-9) at Highland (14-7)

Mediapolis (16-6) at Sigourney (17-4)

TUESDAY'S CLASS 1A REGIONAL QUARTERFINALS

(All games 7 p.m.)

Region 3

Mason City Newman (11-11) at Turkey Valley (18-2)

Northwood-Kensett (4-18) at West Hancock (18-3)

North Tama (7-15) at Colo-Nesco (17-5)

Tripoli (16-6) at Ackley AGWSR (17-4)

Region 4

Starmont (9-13) at Lansing Kee (15-4)

East Buchanan (7-15) at Elkader Central (10-11)

Gladbrook-Reinbeck (2-20) at Janesville (21-0)

Hudson (2-19) vs. Don Bosco (5-16), at Dunkerton

Region 5

Central City (10-13) at Bellevue Marquette (18-3)

Cedar Valley Christian (9-13) at Belle Plaine (15-6)

English Valleys (7-15) at Lynnville-Sully (19-2)

Mormon Trail (11-10) at Wayne (11-10)

Region 6

Clinton Prince of Peace (1-20) at Easton Valley (13-7)

WACO (7-15) at Lone Tree (17-5)

Fort Madison Holy Trinity (11-11) at Burlington Notre Dame (16-6)

Moravia (10-11) at Seymour (18-2)

Region 7

HLV (8-14) at Springville (19-2)

BGM (8-14) at Garwin GMG (13-8)

Ankeny Christian (10-11) at Grand View Christian (18-4)

Lamoni (15-6) at Murray (18-5)

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