(This story will appear in Friday’s Gazette … it’s also posted on iowaprepsports.com)
Yeah, Springville has hit its in postseason stride.
The defending state champion, top-ranked Orioles (22-1) have allowed just 44 points in their first two regional girls’ basketball games. In a 69-15 triumph over Lone Tree on Tuesday, they outscored the Lions, 50-3, through the final three quarters.
“Our defense is really starting to come around,” said Springville Coach Brian O’Donnell. “It’s back to where it was last year at tournament time. I think we’re quicker to the ball, and our post defense has been phenomenal.”
Class 1A and 2A regionals hit the semifinal round Friday. The Orioles meet Keota (13-9) at Cedar Rapids Prairie. Tipoff is 7.
Four area 1A teams and six area 2A squads are still alive. Friday’s survivors will play for state-tournament berths Monday.
O’Donnell feels a strong late-season schedule is paying dividends.
“The last three weeks, we’re seen everything you can see,” he said. “We’ve seen quickness, we’ve seen size. It has helped us a lot.”
Two ranked teams will meet in a 1A showdown at Oelwein: No. 9 Valley Community (20-2) tangles with No. 14 Wapsie Valley (19-5). Wapsie won a regular-season battle, 47-35.
Tri-Rivers Conference foes Maquoketa Valley (17-6) and Cascade (19-3) tangle in a 2A encounter at 8 p.m. at Monticello. Cascade swept the two regular-season games.
The Cougars traditionally play a smothering zone defense, and this year is no exception. They are allowing 29.9 points per game.
“They always have a bunch of 5-9, 5-10 kids with long arms, and that makes it tough,” said Maquoketa Valley Coach Scot Moenck. “We’ll have to knock down shots and get some rebounds. One way to beat a zone is to beat it down the floor.
“There’s no magic remedy. We just have to make shots.”
MFL MarMac (22-1), the top-rated 2A team, hosts Turkey Valley (17-5) in the other 2A Region 7 game. In Region 8, No. 7 Tipton (22-1) hosts Northeast (16-7) while Iowa City Regina (19-4) meets No. 11 Mediapolis (22-1) at West Liberty.
February 19, 2009 at 8:49 pm |
Just a clarification…The Springville vs Keota game is tomorrow night, but the Oriole men play in an opening round tourney game at Highland Riverside tonight.
February 19, 2009 at 8:56 pm |
You’re right. I forgot to date it correctly in this copy. It’s fixed now. Thanks.
February 19, 2009 at 10:09 pm |
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February 20, 2009 at 3:53 pm |
Will you be at the game? Ryan and I have it.
February 20, 2009 at 4:23 pm |
I was going to do Maquoketa Valley-Cascade until I learned it was an 8 p.m. start. With the forecast and the deadline, I’m gonna do Springville-Keota instead.
February 20, 2009 at 6:55 pm |
Cool…we’ll look for you and your mad keyboarding skills! If you see a weirdo in a furry orange hat waving at you, it’s not me……
February 20, 2009 at 7:53 pm |
I won’t be keyboarding on site tonight. Just covering the game and getting back to the office to write.