Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

The field for the girls state tournament is nearly set.

Of the 40 state tournament berths up for grabs 24 have been earned with teams in Classes 5A, 4A and 3A securing spots at the state tournament scheduled to run from March 2-7 at Casey’s Center in Des Moines.

The final 16 spots will be determined on Wednesday with regional finals in Classes 1A and 2A.

Before games tip off on Wednesday here is a look at the Class 2A regional final between Regina and Grundy Center.

Class 2A, Region 8

No. 7 Grundy Center (21-2) vs. No. 8 Regina (18-5)

When: Wednesday, 7 p.m.

Where: Benton Community High School in Van Horne

Statistical leaders: Regina – Addie McLaughlin, 5-5, Soph., 22.3 ppg., 6.3 apg., 6.2 rpg., 5.1 spg.; Adalee Klein, 6-2, Jr., 11.2 ppg., 6.3, rpg., 1.3 bpg. Grundy Center – Ava Mundt, 5-10, Jr., 10.2 ppg., 11.9 rpg. 2 bpg, 1.9 spg; Karlee Lynch, 5-7, Sr., 10 ppg., 4.9 rpg., 2.3 apg., 2.3 spg.

About the Regals: Regina is appearing in the regional title game for the seventh consecutive season and is seeking its fourth state tournament appearance in the past five seasons after reaching the 2A semifinals last season.

The Regals are unbeaten against Class 2A competition this season with all five losses coming to ranked teams from larger classes.

Regina enters the regional title game having won five of its last six games with its lone loss in that stretch a one-point road loss at 3A No. 12 Mid-Prairie.

The Regals rolled to the Region 8 title game outscoring Van Buren and Danville by a combined score of 129-57 in two postseason games.

Three Regals are averaging in double figures led by sophomore point guard Addie McLaughlin with 22.3 points per game.

Junior Adalee Klein averages 11.2 points and a team-high 6.3 rebounds per game and freshman Jada Wiltz is averaging 10.7 points per game.

Junior Nora Wade averages 5.4 points per game and senior guard Ella Keune is averaging 4.8 points per game.

About the Spartans: Grundy Center has been among the most consistently successful small school programs in the state over the last decade plus, posting its sixth 20-win season in the past 11 years.

The Spartans have been .500 or better each of the past 16 seasons and haver reached the state tournament four times during that stretch that includes 10 seasons with at least 19 wins.

Grundy Center is seeking a second state tournament appearance in the past three seasons after reaching the 2A quarterfinals in 2024 before falling in regional semifinals last season.

Both losses this season for Grundy Center have come to top-10 ranked opponents in 1A eighth-ranked Gladbrook-Reinbeck and 2A fourth-ranked Denver.

The Spartans have three players averaging in double figures and five players that average better than six points per game.

Junior Ava Mundt leads the Spartans averaging a double-double with 10.2 points and 11.9 rebounds per game to go with 2 blocked shots per contest.

Senior Kali Aldrich averages 10 points and 2.5 steals per game and senior Karlee Lynch is averaging 10 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.

Who to watch: Regina – Few players in the state fill the stat sheet better than Regina sophomore guard Addie McLaughlin.

The 5-foot-5 McLaughlin is averaging 22.3 points, leads 2A with 6.3 assists per game and adds, 6.2 rebounds and 5.1 steals per game.

McLaughlin has done it all while being efficient on the offensive end, shooting 48 percent from the floor, including 37 percent from 3-point range and 70 percent from the free throw line.

The sophomore point guard has scored in double figures in all 23 games and has two triple doubles and seven double-doubles on the season.

Grundy Center – Junior forward Ava Mundt is the key for the Spartans on both ends of the court.

The 5-foot-10 Mundt averages a team-best 10.2 points per game and ranks second in Class 2A with 11.9 rebounds per contest including 5 offensive rebounds per game.

Mundt is just as important on the defensive end of the court as she is on offense, leading the Spartans with 2 blocked shots per game.

Look for Grundy Center to took to establish Mundt on the offensive end early in the game and keeping her off the glass, especially the offensive glass will be a key for Regina.

What to watch: The first quarter is always big in postseason games that often come with large crowds and a charged environment.

The first eight minutes could be especially telling in this game.

Regina has led just once after the opening quarter in its five losses this season but was dominant in the opening quarter of two postseason wins.

The Regals outscored Van Buren and Danville by a combined total of 49-12 in the first quarter of its two Region 8 wins.

A strong start will be crucial for Regina which is dangerous when playing with a lead due to its strong back court led by McLaughlin.

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