Jeff Linder

Here are five Gazette-area 5A, 4A and 3A high school softball regional-quarterfinal games to watch Thursday.

High school softball: A series of doubles puts No. 8 Lisbon in front, then Emma Pleasant’s grand slam puts it to bed. Lions dust Northeast, 11-4, in a 2A regional quarterfinal.

Here are five Gazette-area 2A and 1A high school softball regional-quarterfinal games to watch Wednesday.

Women’s basketball: Convinced that Iowa’s culture would remain the same after the Bluder-to-Jensen coaching change, Addie Deal reaffirmed her commitment.

Women’s basketball: Hannah Stuelke, Audi Crooks earn AmeriCup gold with Team USA.

High school softball: Despite an 8-14 regular-season record, it would be foolish as always to discount Iowa City Regina.

The Gazette’s 2025 Male Athlete of the Year finalists: Mason Bechen of North Linn, Tiernan Boots of Lisbon, Ryker Dengler of West Liberty, Rayce Heitman of Williamsburg and Mason Woods of Iowa City West.

The Gazette’s 2025 Female Athlete of the Year finalists: Libby Dix and Chloe Meester of Mount Vernon, Libby Fandel of Cedar Rapids Xavier, Jayden Kuper of Monticello and Noelle Steines of Tipton.

Softball notes: Tracking the conference softball races, and saluting the champions. The MVC Mississippi Division race should become more clear tonight. Meanwhile, Lisbon, Williamsburg, Mount Vernon and Sigourney have extended lengthy title strings.

Area softball Super Ten and standings (July 3): Linn-Mar has narrowed the gap, but Cedar Rapids Xavier remains at No. 1.

High school softball: Hayden Gookin’s 10-strikeout three-hitter pushed Mount Vernon to the Wamac Conference East Division championship.

High school softball: Mallory Wulf is perfect through 6 2/3 innings, finishes with a no-hitter in West Liberty’s RVC South-clinching win over Durant.

Women’s basketball: Forget the position numbers. Iowa’s Ava Heiden wants to be ‘interchangeable’ as a power forward and as a center.

High school softball: Class 4A No. 1 Cedar Rapids Xavier, 5A No. 2 Linn-Mar split an important Mississippi Valley Conference twinbill.

High school softball: IGHSAU has released regional pairings. The postseason begins July 7.