HCHS girls host Heelan Saturday

 HARLAN -- The pairings are officially set for Harlan Community to make another run at the Girls State Basketball Tournament in Des Moines.
 Bishop Heelan’s 66-40 win over Denison-Schleswig Wednesday night moves the Crusaders (12-10) into Saturday night’s Class 4-A, Region 1 semifinal at 3rd-ranked HCHS (18-2) in Harlan. The game will tip off at 7:00 p.m.
 Saturday’s winner will then play either Spencer (13-7) or Le Mars (10-13) in Tuesday’s 7 p.m. regional final. If the Cyclones beat Heelan, they will also host Tuesday’s game as the highest-seeded team in Region 1.
 HCHS is looking to extend a mini-dynasty in Class 4-A girls basketball after appearing in the last three state championship games and winning back-to-back state titles in 2014 and 2015. The Cyclones dropped two spots in the final 4-A rankings following last Friday’s 43-42 home loss to Lewis Central, but head coach Zach Klaassen is confident that his team will bounce back strong for the start of postseason play.