CLASS 1A BASKETBALL LAUNCHES ITS DISTRICT BATTLES ON MONDAY

With Class 2A district basketball action already under way, area 1A schools will get things started Monday.

Delta earned No. 1 seeds in both the boys and girls brackets, but both Scott County Central squads might have something to say about that.

A look at the area 1A districts:

Boys Class 1A, District 2

Delta (18-7) is the top seed and proved that with an impressive victory over Scott County Central (12-12) in the regular-season finale for both teams Friday night.

The district championship, hosted by Oran and played Thursday at 8 p.m., will likely come down to those two teams. Delta has a bye to Tuesday's semifinals while the second-seeded Braves open action Monday at 5:30 p.m. against seventh-seed Zalma (4-19).

Two of the hotter squads in the seven-team field face each other in another of the three first-round matchups Monday.

Fourth-seed Richland (11-11) struggled for most of the season before winning five of its final six games. The Rebels play fifth-seed Oran (13-11) at 8:30 p.m. The Eagles have won three of their last four games.

Third-seed Bell City (12-12) ended the season on a five-game losing skid, playing a rugged schedule in the final weeks. The Cubs face No. 6 Advance (8-17) at 7 p.m.

Girls Class 1A, District 2

Delta (17-7) is the top seed, but you might have a hard time convincing second-seed Scott County Central (13-11).

The Lady Braves closed the regular season Thursday by beating the Lady Bobcats at Delta after the district bracket was already drawn. But the second seed might prove to be an advantage for the Lady Braves with only three teams in this district.

Scott Central will get a chance to tune-up for the title game with a preliminary game Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. against tourney host and No. 3 seed Oran. The Lady Eagles have won just two games this season.

Barring an upset, Scott County will meet Delta in the title game Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

Boys Class 1A, District 3

Defending-champion Valle of Ste. Genevieve enters this district hosted by Meadow Heights as the overwhelming favorite.

Valle, the smallest school in the Mineral Area Athletic Association, won the regular-season conference title over several 4A, 3A and 2A schools with a 9-1 record. Overall the Warriors are 19-5.

Second-seed Marquand (17-9) might pose the only challenge to Valle, but the Tigers fell on the road to the Warriors this week 70-52. Marquand opens boys action Monday at 5 p.m. against seventh-seed Oak Ridge (3-19). Valle follows at 6:30 p.m. against eighth-seed Lesterville.

No. 4 Bunker and No. 5 Leopold (5-17) complete Monday's action at 8 p.m. South Iron, the third seed, and No. 6 Meadow Heights (5-17) complete first-round action Tuesday at 8 p.m.

The championship game will be played Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Girls Class 1A, District 3

Bunker is the top seed in this four-team district hosted by Meadow Heights.

South Iron is the second-seed followed by Valle of Ste. Genevieve and Lesterville.

The title game will be held Friday at 6 p.m.