Despite all their accomplishments this season, the Tipton Lady Cardinals will not be satisfied unless the district trophy ends up in their trophy case.
Tipton, the No. 1 seed at the Class 2, District 8 tournament, opens against No. 8 Belle at 4 p.m. Monday at Russellville. The winner faces either No. 4 Russellville or No. 5 Linn in the semifinal round at 6 p.m. Feb. 25. The championship final is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Feb. 27 at Russellville.
Barring any upsets, the Lady Cardinals will likely face No. 2 New Bloomfield in the finals. Tipton rallied to beat New Bloomfield, 57-53, to win its own tournament in December.
The Lady Cardinals, who improved to 23-0 after winning last week's Kaysinger Conference Tournament, were ranked No. 4 in last week's Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Class 2 state poll.
Class 2, District 8 boys tournament
Two area teams will do battle in a good opening-round matchup at Russellville. Tipton, the No. 3 seed, faces the host Indians, seeded sixth, at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. The winner advances to play either No. 2 Linn or No. 7 Calvary Lutheran at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26. The championship final is set for 6:30 p.m. Feb. 28.
Class 1, District 9 girls tournament
Although No. 1-seed Tuscumbia will be tough to beat, No. 2 Prairie Home and No. 3 Jamestown hope for the chance. Prairie Home opens against No. 7 Bunceton at 8:30 p.m. Monday, while the Lady Eagles begin with No. 6 St. Elizabeth at 7 p.m. Monday. If both teams win, Prairie Home and Jamestown would meet in the semifinal round at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 25. The championship final is scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 27. All games will be played at Jamestown.
Class 1, District 9 boys tournament
With the title seemingly up for grabs, No. 3-seed Jamestown and No. 4 Prairie Home should be in the mix. Prairie Home opens against No. 5 Chamois at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, while Jamestown plays No. 6 St. Elizabeth at 7 p.m. Tuesday. The semifinals are scheduled for 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26, with the final at 6 p.m. Feb. 28. All games will be played at Jamestown.