Area basketball teams begin district play next week

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.