Girls basketball regional preview capsules

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Updated: March 18, 2012 8:19AM

Class 1A

Caston Regional

Saturday’s schedule — Morgan Township (13-10) vs. Oregon-Davis (20-4), 9:30 a.m.; West Central (18-5) vs. Fort Wayne Canterbury, 21-2), 11:30 a.m.; Championship at 7 p.m.

Radio: 88.5-FM (first game)

Outlook: Based on Sagarin ratings, this regional has two of the top four teams in 1A — Canterbury is No. 1 while Oregon-Davis is No. 4 — and West Central is 13th. On the other hand, Morgan is 30th as a true Cinderella story compared to the other three teams. It’s not impossible for the Cherokees to win a game, or even two, but they’ll have to put forth their best effort ... twice. Morgan and O-D last met in 2002 when the Cherokees lost 63-51 in the sectional.

Next: Winner of the Tri-Central Regional in the Plymouth or Warsaw Semistate on Feb. 25

Class 2A

Rochester Regional

Saturday’s schedule — Bowman Academy (18-6) vs. Winamac (18-5), 9 a.m.; Fort Wayne Bishop Luers (18-5) vs. Fremont (15-9), 11 a.m.; Championship at 7 p.m.

Radio: None

Outlook: Like in Class 1A, this regional has the No. 1 team in its class in the Sagarin ratings (Bishop Luers). So Bowman’s path to its first girls regional title won’t be easy, especially with a good Winamac squad that survived a tough sectional bracket. Bowman’s enormously tough schedule gives the Eagles a slight advantage, but that won’t matter very much against Luers if they reach the final. This will be the first time Winamac and Bowman have played.

Next: Winner of the Tipton Regional in the Plymouth or Warsaw Semistate on Feb. 25

Class 3A

Rensselaer Regional

Saturday’s schedule — Western (17-6) vs. Knox (13-11), 10 a.m.; South Bend St. Joseph’s (17-6) vs. Griffith (18-6), noon; Championship at 7:30 p.m.

Radio: 1350-AM (first game)

Outlook: After a 2-10 start, Knox truly is a Cinderella story in just getting to the regional. To matriculate through this bracket, though, will take a monster effort. Griffith, on the other hand, has been here before — each of the last three years to be exact. The Panthers’ defense always seems to keep them in games, even against more talented opponents. That might be true of St. Joseph’s, but don’t count out Griffith in winning its second regional title in the last three years.

Next: Winner of the Bellmont Regional in the Plymouth or Warsaw Semistate on Feb. 25

Class 4A

Valparaiso Regional

Saturday’s schedule — Penn (23-1) vs. Michigan City (18-6), 9:30 a.m.; Elkhart Memorial (20-5) vs. East Chicago (17-6), 11:30 a.m.; Championship at 7:30 p.m.

Radio: 95.9-FM (first game)

Outlook: Don’t let the records fool you. Yes, Penn is ranked No. 2 in every state poll and has lost only once (a 52-50 loss at Warsaw on Jan. 18), but Michigan City isn’t so far apart from a talent standpoint that the Wolves shouldn’t be given a chance in the first semifinal, let alone the whole regional. With Toni Murphy, Mikal Miller and KeShyana Cooper all playing well in the postseason, the Wolves can definitely give Penn all it can handle. Same goes in the second semifinal as East Chicago is talented enough to beat Elkhart Memorial.

Next: Winner of the Kokomo Regional in the Plymouth or Warsaw Semistate on Feb. 25

— By Steve T. Gorches