5 Quick Observations From the IGHSAU Regional Pairings
Iowa is unique with how the IGHSAU will wait until October to not only make their brackets, but even decide who is in what region. In many other states, the same teams will be in the same region year and…
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Continue ReadingIowa is unique with how the IGHSAU will wait until October to not only make their brackets, but even decide who is in what region. In many other states, the same teams will be in the same region year and after year with no change. For some, it can be unsettling, but for everyone it is exciting to see where the road will go enroute to Cedar Rapids. Here are five quick observations about the regional brackets recently released from the IGHSAU.
Creative Geography in Class 2A
Class 2A is where I first noticed some interesting geography for some of the regional brackets. There are some regions that will be crossing paths as they enter the opposite side of the state. Western Christian and Osage are protected in their regions where Osage especially could have been thrown into a bracket with Clarion-Goldfield-Dows, Hudson, Grundy Center, or even a Beckman. If regionals were purely based on geography that would have easily been the case. Grundy Center (based on seeding) could potentially meet the likes of Underwood, ACGC, or Treynor in a regional final. Logan-Magnolia could face a Clarion-Goldfield-Dows for a regional final. These are some really interesting potential East vs. West matchups that truly will bring the best to state. \
Power-Packed Potential Regional Finals In Class 3A
Class 3A was going to be really interesting with how Eastern Iowa would be separated. With the likes of Assumption, Tipton, and West Liberty, all top five teams and miles apart having them go in different regionals was essential (again, in most states this would not be the case). There are some potential regional finals that are going to be really tough. Region 4 has two teams all too familiar with each other in Dike-New Hartford and Union. If seeding holds, the regional final will be at Grundy Center. In Region 5, the top two teams are New Hampton and Mount Vernon, both state tournament teams from last season. Mount Vernon has a few more losses on their record, but have played a rigorous schedule. Another intriguing potential matchup could be a regional final between Tipton and Nevada. Nevada has been under the radar all season but has a ton of athletes who can really compete.
Splitting The Cedar Valley In Class 1A
The Cedar Valley always has strong volleyball through all classes. Class 1A was going to be interesting with the likes of Janesville, North Tama, Tripoli, Wapsie Valley and then throw in the likes of BCLUW and Gladbrook-Reinbeck (I’m never quite sure on where to draw the border around the Cedar Valley). North Tama and BCLUW will be together in Region 4, Janesville could have a potential match up with GR where these two teams played at state last year, and Wapsie Valley is in the same region as Tripoli. These teams are well seasoned in playing against some top competition, they have to in order to prepare for these types of postseason matchups.
The Depth of Class 4A
Class 4A is really deep with some regionals who have multiple teams who could come out on top and find their way punching a ticket to Cedar Rapids. I look at Region 2 and Winterset are Norwalk (both solid Ragbrai towns this past year) are playing each other in the opening round with a potential matchup with Glenwood and then possibly Lewis Central. Those are all really strong programs. Eastern Iowa could have some really tough potential matchups for a regional final with some of the top teams. Remember, the regional finals are played at the site of the highest-seeded team. Gilbert could potentially have to travel to Xavier and Clear Creek-Amana could potentially have to go to Wahlert. All of these teams are really strong. Again the overall depth of talent across the state makes it tough to crack into the top eight at the state tournament.
Class 5A – New Teams Ready To Ge To Cedar Rapids?
There are some really exciting stories to take a look at in Class 5A. No matter how the cards fall come state tournament times, there are programs that are definitely on the rise. Iowa City Liberty is putting together a storybook season with their first year in Class 5A and as of the last rankings, are sitting at 20-1. Waterloo West has been having a breakout season was able to get out of a region with Cedar Falls, hosting Johnston in their opening round with a potential regional final against Valley. Pleasant Valley has been having a strong season and will be a top seed in their region with a potential region final with Bettendorf or Davenport North. Two potential region finals that will be extremely interesting would be Region 1 where it could come down to Ankeny Centennial and Council Bluffs Abe Lincoln and then in Region 3 with Waukee, Southeast Polk, and Indianola.