MP boys learn Substate grouping

The Iowa High School Athletic Association released the Class 3A substate groupings on Friday, and Mt. Pleasant has some familiar faces in their bracket.

Although the seedings aren't out yet, the Panthers know all other teams that will be competing for a spot at the state tournament. Mt. Pleasant was grouped with No. 6 Oskaloosa, No. 9 Fairfield, Washington, Keokuk, Ft. Madison, South Tama and Centerville.

The district coaches will vote on how each team should be seeded before the brackets are released to the public. Mt. Pleasant does have the third best record, as well as the third best score on BCMoorerankings.com, which means the Panthers have a good shot at drawing the No. 3 seed behind probable top-two seeds Oskaloosa and Fairfield.

It seems as though Mt. Pleasant is on a collision course with another SEC opponent in the first round. Washington, Keokuk and Ft. Madison are all possible first-round opponents for the Panthers.

The Panthers will likely play at Oskaloosa or Fairfield. The top two seeds in the substate usually get to host two quarterfinals and a semifinal, with the substate final taking place at a neutrall site.

The substate tournament will begin on Feb. 18. Official pairings for both Class 3A and 4A are set to be released on the second week of February.