Boys' basketball notebook: Not all top seeds playing postseason games at home

 MONONA - There's nothing he can do about it. Yelling and screaming might get out some of his obvious frustration, but Eric Dettbarn isn't about to do that.So he just shrugs."It is what it is," he said.The longtime MFL MarMac boys' basketball coach has another really good team this season. The Bulldogs are 13-3 going into their Friday night game against Postville, are in line to at least share another Upper Iowa Conference championship and are seeking a third straight trip to the state tournament.If they accomplish the latter thing, it'll be without playing a home game. Despite being the top seed in District 7, MFL MarMac begins postseason play against either Waterloo Columbus or Sumner-Fredericksburg on a neutral floor at North Fayette Valley.Then it'd be a district final at Oelwein and substate final at Manchester. The Iowa High School Athletic Association released district and substate pairings for Class 1A and 2A Thursday, and they are interesting, as far as where some of these games are being played."At least we don't have to play on someone else's home floor," Dettbarn said. "I understand what they are doing, with some of the travel and stuff. But you'd still like to see 1 and 2 seeds get to play at least one game at home."That's the way it used to be, though the IHSAA now has set up specifications for each potential host site, including having a certain number of seats in the gym. Geography also comes into play.That is why MFL isn't hosting its first game. It's an hour shorter trip for Waterloo Columbus to West Union than Monona.Other interesting pairings tidbits include 1A District 7 top seed Easton Valley not playing any games at home, with that a gym-size issue. District 9 top seed Keota also doesn't have a home game, and Iowa Mennonite, the No. 2 seed in 1A District 8, has to play its district opener at New London.Opening-round - or pigtail, if you will - district games in 1A and 2A will be played Feb. 17. First-round games are Feb. 20, with double-headers at various sites.Class 3A and 4A pairings are expected to be released next week. You can check out all pairings at

www.iahsaa.org.