The Iowa High School Athletic Association has announced the Class 1A and 2A boys’ basketball district pairings and three of the four area schools will open the postseason on Feb. 19. The other, Colfax-Mingo, will play its playoff opener on Feb. 16.
In 2A, both Prairie City-Monroe and Collins-Maxwell/Baxter earned first-round byes.
The Mustangs (14-4) will play in District 11 and will start postseason play against either Davis County (10-8) or Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont (3-17) at Pella Christian on Feb. 19. Tip off has been slated for 6:30 p.m.
Pella Christian (10-6) received a bye on the other side of the bracket and will host either Albia (11-6) or Mid-Praire (1-18) at 8 p.m. on Feb. 19. The district final will be in Oskaloosa on Feb. 24.
In District 12, CMB (8-9) faces the winner between South Hardin (12-6) and East Marshall (2-16) at Des Moines Christian on Feb. 19.
That game tips off at 6:30 p.m. and Des Moines Christian (15-4) will play at 8 p.m. against either North Polk (7-10) or West Marshall (3-16).
The district final will be at 7 p.m. in Nevada on Feb. 24. PCM and CMB could meet in the substate final. The District 11 and 12 winners will hook up on Feb. 28 with the winner advancing to the 2A state tournament. That game will be at 7 p.m. at Bondurant-Farrar.
Colfax-Mingo and Lynnville-Sully will both play in 1A districts.
The Hawks (12-5) began their postseason trek against North Mahaska (6-12) at Moulton-Udell on Feb. 19. Tip off is set for 6:30 p.m. The winner of that game will face the winner between Moulton-Udell (12-6) and Seymour (7-13), which tips at 8 p.m. on Feb. 19.
The District 10 semifinals will be Feb. 24 at Moulton-Udell and the district final is Feb. 26 at a site that has not yet been determined. Other teams in the district include Sigourney (13-3), Wayne (3-15), Moravia (3-15), Keota (10-8) and Twin Cedars (10-8).
The substate game, which features the District 9 and 10 winners, will be in Fairfield on Feb. 28.
The only area team that plays on Feb. 16 is Colfax-Mingo. The Tigerhawks (0-16) travel to Liberty Center to face the Southeast Warren Warhawks (3-15) at 8 p.m. The winner of that game travels to Colo-NESCO to face the No. 3 and undefeated Royals (18-0) at 8 p.m. on Feb. 19. Other teams in the district include Grand View Christian (18-1), Ankeny Christian Academy (15-3), Iowa Christian Academy (14-5) and Pleasantville (12-6).
The District 11 semifinals are in Pleasantville on Feb. 24. The district championship is Feb. 26 at Ankeny Centennial and the substate final pitting the District 11 and 12 champions is Feb. 28 at Johnston.