Rivalry Saturday goes to 8 games in 2016

Rivalry Saturday is expanding in 2016.

Director Scot Moenck released the schedule for next winter's girls' basketball event - Jan. 9, 2016 at the U.S. Cellular Center, and it will consist of eight games, instead of the normal six.

The event tips off at 9:15 a.m. with a matchup between Iowa City Regina and Benton Community, one of seven non-conference battles. The only conference game is the 2 p.m. contest between Maquoketa Valley and Alburnett.

The biggie is the 8:20 p.m. finale between Marion and Linn-Mar, which will meet downtown for the second straight year.

Linn-Mar's Amanda Ollinger is one of two future Iowa Hawkeyes who will be in attendance. She joins Makenzie Meyer, whose Mason City team faces Iowa City West at 3:35 p.m.

Last year's Class 3A state champion, Nevada, will be in attendance. So will a pair of 2015 state runners-up - Springville (Class 1A) and Western Dubuque (4A).

The schedule:

9:15 a.m. - Iowa City Regina vs. Benton Community

10:50 a.m. - Ballard vs. Fairfield

12:25 p.m. - Springville vs. Turkey Valley

2 p.m. - Maquoketa Valley vs. Alburnett

3:35 p.m. - Mason City vs. Iowa City West

5:10 p.m. - Waverly-Shell Rock vs. Nevada

6:45 p.m. - Western Dubuque vs. Spirit Lake

8:20 p.m. - Marion vs. Linn-Mar

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