Area girls basketball teams learn playoff draws

Playoff basketball is almost here for Union area girls teams. The regional brackets for Classes 1A-3A we released Thursday, shaping the paths to Casey’s Center for the 2026 Iowa High School Girls Athletic Union State Basketball Tournament.

The first round of the Class 3A Region 5 bracket will feature an all-area matchup between Washington and Fairfield. The Demons and Trojans will face off for a third time after Washington swept the regular season series 2-0. Should Washington win again, it could face a rematch against Tipton, which it lost to 48-40 on Jan. 19.

Tipoff between Washington and Fairfield is set for 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Washington High School. The winner will travel to Tipton to face the winner between the Tigers and South Tama County.

Mid-Prairie was drawn into the 3A-3 regional as the No. 2 seed. The Golden Hawks will host Albia on Saturday and will get another home game if they win against either Pella Christian or Chariton.

Cardinal will compete in Class 2A Region 6. The Comets play against Pleasantville on Saturday, with the winner heading to No. 2 seed Mount Ayr.

Columbus and Van Buren County will square off Saturday in the first round of the 2A Region 8 bracket, with the winner advancing to face No. 2 seed Regina Catholic. VBC won 47-41 over Columbus in the regular season and beat the Wildcats 62-37 in the SEISC Shootout.

In Class 1A, Highland will host Southeast Iowa Super Conference North rival Winfield-Mt. Union in the first round of the Region 6 bracket. The winner will face either Keota or Hillcrest Academy. Both games are set for 7 p.m. Thursday.

Should the Huskies and Eagles advance they’ll face off Feb. 17 at Highland. Keota beat Highland 73-51 at the 4 Corners Shootout to open the 2025-26 campaign, handing the Huskies one of just three losses this season.

The 1A-6 bracket features another area matchup between Pekin and WACO. The Panthers will host the Warriors on Thursday, with the winner then taking on No. 1 seed Dunkerton.

New London will compete in the 1A Region 4 bracket. The Tigers travel to play Lone Tree at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Mt. Pleasant will learn its playoff draw Feb. 12 when the pairings for Classes 4A and 5A are released. The 4A and 5A playoffs begin Feb. 18.