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Cherokee Today
By the People, for the People
Iowa Girls Basketball: Regional Finals Set In 1A, 2A
Defending champions Council Bluffs St. Albert and Hinton advance to title games
Published on Feb. 21, 2026
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The Iowa girls high school basketball postseason has reached the regional finals in Class 1A and 2A, with the state tournament bids on the line. Defending 1A champion Council Bluffs St. Albert will face Coon Rapids-Bayard, while reigning 2A titleholder Hinton takes on Earlham. The games will be played at neutral sites to accommodate larger crowds.
Why it matters
The regional finals represent the final hurdle before the highly anticipated state tournament, where the best teams in Iowa compete for the coveted championship titles. These matchups feature some of the top programs in their respective classes, setting the stage for exciting and hard-fought battles.
The details
In Class 1A, Council Bluffs St. Albert will look to defend its state title against Coon Rapids-Bayard in Harlan. In 2A, Hinton will face off against Earlham in Denison. Other regional final matchups include GTRA vs. Exira-EHK in Carroll, Saint Ansgar vs. Gladbrook-Reinbeck in Charles City, and George-Little Rock vs. Newell-Fonda in Cherokee.
- The regional final games will be played on Wednesday, February 25.
- The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union State Basketball Tournament is scheduled for March 2-7.
The players
Council Bluffs St. Albert
The defending Class 1A state champion, looking to return to the state tournament.
Hinton
The reigning Class 2A state champion, aiming to defend its title.
Coon Rapids-Bayard
The challenger facing off against the defending 1A champions, Council Bluffs St. Albert.
Earlham
The opponent for the 2A defending champions, Hinton, in the regional final.
What’s next
The winners of the regional final games will advance to the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union State Basketball Tournament, which takes place from March 2-7 at the Casey's Center in Des Moines.
The takeaway
The regional finals represent the final hurdle before the highly anticipated state tournament, where the best teams in Iowa compete for the coveted championship titles. These matchups feature some of the top programs in their respective classes, setting the stage for exciting and hard-fought battles to determine who will advance to the state tournament.
