RVC champs battle for state berth

The Regina Regals left Cascade earlier this month with issues.

Clark Anderson thinks they now have the answers.

"We're operating on a new level now," Anderson said as Iowa City Regina (18-5) prepared for its second, far more important meeting with No. 2 Cascade (24-0). "After that game (a 60-34 loss Feb. 4), we did some soul-searching, re-evaluated some things.

"Now it's like we're a whole different team."

Girls' state basketball berths are on the line Monday with 1A and 2A regional finals. Included are four games involving area teams.In 2A, Cascade and Regina tangle at Tipton Middle School while fifth-rated North Linn (22-1) faces Iowa Valley (20-2) at Tiffin.And in 1A, No. 14 Midland (17-6) meets No. 2 Janesville (22-1) at Independence, and English Valleys (15-8) battles No. 6 Lynnville-Sully (20-3) at Pella Christian.All games tip off at 7 p.m.

Cascade and Regina captured divisional titles in the newly formed River Valley Conference. Cascade was the cream of the conference, running through the league with a 17-0 mark.

"I just know they play as hard or harder than anybody else is able to play," Anderson said. "They're able to sustain that throughout. And when they substitute, they don't lose anything. That was hard for us to deal with the last time we played."

Since then, Anderson has implemented a younger starting lineup. And the Regals have two impressive postseason wins as a result.

Both the Cougars and the Regals reached Des Moines last year -- Cascade was a 3A semifinalist; Regina played eventual 2A runner-up Lawton-Bronson close in the first round.Regina beat North Linn to get there.

It was North Linn's second straight trip to the regional finals; Monday will be the third.

"It's time for us to get over that next hurdle," Lynx Coach Brian Wheatley said after his team beat Maquoketa Valley, 47-45, in Friday's regional semifinal."

Like I told the kids, sometimes it's a process. The last two years, we've come up short. And as great as (the Maquoketa Valley game) was, it would be a disservice if we didn't finish this off.

"Senior Libby Falconer didn't have to stretch her memory to recall the heartbreak after the regional-final defeat."It was horrible," she said. "We didn't feel like we have it our best effort. I remember the feeling that it was over. Just horrible."

Nicole Miller scored 30 points Friday and leads 2A at a 25.8-point clip.Iowa Valley is pursuing its first five-player state berth; the Tigers last advanced in 1984. Midland's last trip was 1994, North Linn's in 1997. 

MONDAY'S REGIONAL FINALS

CLASS 2ANo. 5 NORTH LINN (22-1) vs. IOWA VALLEY (20-2), Region 4When & where -- 7 p.m., at Tiffin

Notable -- By virtue of a thrilling 47-45 win over Tri-Rivers rival Maquoketa Valley, North Linn has reached the regional finals for the third straight year. The two previous shots ended in defeat, including a 43-41 heartbreaker last year against Iowa City Regina. Junior all-stater Nicole Miller scored 30 points in Friday's win and is the top scorer in 2A (and fourth in the state overall) at 25.8 per game. Iowa Valley doesn't have a superstar, but possesses superlative balance. Five players average between 7.8 and 10.7 points per game, led by juniors Lily Seye and Anna Herrmann. The Tigers are the South Iowa Cedar League champions and a step away from their first five-player state berth. They advanced with a 79-55 regional-semifinal pasting of Eddyville EBF.

No. 2 CASCADE (24-0) vs. IOWA CITY REGINA (18-5), Region 5

When & where -- 7 p.m., at Tipton (Middle School)

Notable -- This is a rematch from a Feb. 4 battle between the two divisional champions of the newly formed River Valley Conference. North Division ruler Cascade handled the South Division champ Regals, 60-34, at home Feb. 4. Both teams were state qualifiers last year, with Cascade reaching the 3A semifinals and Regina giving eventual runner-up Lawton-Bronson a stern challenge in the first round. Always one of the state's most unyielding teams defensively, Cascade is allowing 30.6 points per game. The Cougars rallied from a four-point halftime deficit to beat West Branch, 37-29, in the regional semifinals. No such comeback was necessary for Regina, which whipped Highland, 71-37, behind 19 points apiece by Jenna Lehman and Katie Wick. Lehman leads the Regals at 16.0 points per game. Multi-sport star Abbey Meyer stirs the drink for Cascade, averaging 12.4 points, 3.7 assists and 4.5 steals per contest.

CLASS 1A No. 14 MIDLAND (17-6) vs. No. 2 JANESVILLE (22-1), Region 3When & where -- 7 p.m., at Independence

Notable -- Without a doubt, Midland wears the crown for "area's most improved team" in 2013-14. The Eagles were 5-17 last year, and have improved their victory total by a dozen on their way to the Tri-Rivers Conference East Division title. They last reached the state tournament in 1994, their first year of five-on-five, but have an opportunity after handling division rival Bellevue Marquette, 42-21, in the regional semifinals. Briana Schurbon leads a balanced lineup with 9.6 points per game. Janesville earned a state volleyball title in November, and has many of the same athletes starring this winter. The Wildcats are on a 21-game winning streak, and haven't been tested in the postseason.

ENGLISH VALLEYS (15-8) vs. No. 6 LYNNVILLE-SULLY (20-3), Region 5

When & where -- 7 p.m., at Pella Christian

Notable -- These rivals from the South Iowa Cedar League collide for the third time this season, with Lynnville-Sully capturing the first two encounters by scores of 42-38 and 41-38 on the way to a runner-up league finish behind Iowa Valley. A perennially strong program, the Hawkettes are seeking their fourth state-tournament appearance in the past five years. English Valleys is led by juniors Rylee Voss (15.8 points, 10.5 rebounds per game) and Lauren Miller (13.0 ppg). Cassie Cullen leads Lynnville-Sully at 14 points per game. English Valleys was the 1A state runner-up in 2004.