Both Ankeny Centennial and Ankeny may have to beat one of their CIML Conference rivals in order to qualify for this year’s girls’ state basketball tournament.
The Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Union announced the Class 5A regional pairings on Wednesday. Fourth-ranked Centennial (13-7) is the top seed in Region 4, while 14th-ranked Ankeny (9-12) is the No. 2 seed in Region 3.
After receiving a bye, the Jaguars will host a regional semifinal on Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. They will meet the winner of a game between Marshalltown (8-13) and Des Moines East (3-18).
Thirteenth-ranked Southeast Polk (9-11) will host Ottumwa (13-7) in the other semifinal. The highest remaining ranked team will host the regional final on Feb. 25 at 7 p.m.
Centennial and Southeast Polk could play three times in a span of 19 days. The Jaguars posted a 62-47 victory at Southeast Polk last Friday and will host the Rams in their regular-season finale on Friday.
Ankeny, meanwhile, will host Sioux City East (14-5) in a regional semifinal on Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. After receiving a bye, third-ranked Waukee Northwest (16-4) will host Sioux City West (13-6) or Council Bluffs Jefferson (0-20) in the other semifinal.
The highest remaining ranked team will host the regional final on Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. The Hawkettes dropped a 70-49 decision at Northwest on Jan. 3, but then battled the Wolves to the wire before losing the rematch, 54-51, on Feb. 3 at Ankeny.
