Rivalry Saturday: Biggest yet; maybe the best

CEDAR RAPIDS — The 12th edition of Rivalry Saturday has the potential to be one of the best.

Surely, it will be the biggest.

The girls' basketball showcase at the U.S. Cellular Center is expanded to eight games this year from the usual six. The event begins at 9:15 a.m. and will run for about 13 hours.

'The year we had four No. 1 teams (2009), that's hard to beat,' said Scot Moenck, event director and coach at Maquoketa Valley. 'But this might be a close second.

'The caliber of teams is very high. We have elite players, and every team will be well-coached. You can see all eight games for $6. That's a steal.'

All of the 16 participating teams are above .500, and 12 are ranked. Five are unbeaten, and three — Ballard (Class 4A), Nevada (3A) and Springville (1A) are ranked No. 1 in their respective classes. Nevada is the defending 3A state champion.

The field has a combined record of 118-28 for a winning percentage of .808.

Eight teams will make their Rivalry Saturday debut, including 1A third-rated Turkey Valley (11-0), which faces Springville (9-0) at 12:25 p.m. in the lone battle of unbeatens.

'We're looking forward to the challenge. It's nice to have the opportunity to play somebody from outside our region and see where we're at,' said Orioles Coach Nate Sanderson. 'I've only seen Turkey Valley once on tape, but they appear to be very aggressive defensively. They play full-court man-to-man and will come right after you.'

The matchup features two of the top ball hawks in the state in Springville's Rylee Menster and Turkey Valley's Shelby Reicks, both of whom average 6-plus steals per game.

For the second straight year, Rivalry Saturday will conclude with a clash between Linn-Mar (6-2) and Marion (6-3). The Lions claimed last year's encounter, 52-48.

Saturday's finale is scheduled for 8:20 p.m.

'I think it's a good thing that we've renewed this rivalry,' said Marion Coach Corby Laube. 'The fact that we're able to play it at the Cellular Center, it's a good thing for the kids.

'Both teams have high expectations for this season. We've had a little trouble getting over the hump. I feel we're doing all the right things, but we haven't been able to show it with wins and losses. But we're knocking on the door. We're so close.'

Linn-Mar's Amanda Ollinger has signed to play at the University of Iowa next season. So has Makenzie Meyer, whose Mason City squad faces Iowa City West at 3:35.

Western Dubuque's Megan Maahs will play at UNI. The Bobcats, 9-0 and 4A state runners-up each of the last two years, battle Spirit Lake at 6:45.

RIVALRY SATURDAY

At U.S. Cellular Center

9:15 p.m. — Iowa City Regina (2A No. 2, 8-0) vs. Benton Community (5-4)

10:50 a.m. — Ballard (4A No. 1, 9-0) vs. Fairfield (4A No. 13, 6-4)

12:25 p.m. — Springville (1A No. 1, 9-0) vs. Turkey Valley (1A No. 3, 11-0)

2 p.m. — Maquoketa Valley (7-2) vs. Alburnett (7-3)

3:35 p.m. — Iowa City West (7-1) vs. Mason City (4A No. 4, 5-4)

5:10 p.m. — Nevada (3A No. 1, 8-1) vs. Waverly-Shell Rock (4A No. 15, 8-3)

6:45 p.m. — Western Dubuque (4A No. 3, 9-0) vs. Spirit Lake (3A No. 5, 7-1)

8:20 p.m. — Linn-Mar (5A No. 11, 6-2) vs. Marion (4A No. 6, 6-3)

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