It’s Monticello. It’s regionals. It’s on the road.

But Cascade Coach Mike Sconsa is reasonably relaxed. Or at least diplomatic.

“There are no perfect systems, and if I throw a fit, the girls will throw a fit,” Sconsa said. “We just have to get ready. It’s another game, and we’re going to be playing tough teams.”

Maggie Reiter and her Cascade teammates are two wins away from a return trip to the girls' state basketball tournament. They face postseason nemesis Monticello on Friday. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)

No. 1 Cascade (22-1) travels to Tri-Rivers Conference rival Monticello (18-6) in a Class 2A regional semifinal.

Tipoff is 7 p.m. Friday.

There’s a history here, and not a pleasant one for Sconsa.

Cascade was taken out in regionals by Monticello in 2007 and 2008 before breaking through and advancing to the state final last year.

“This is a different group, a different mentality,” Sconsa said. “Monticello is always very tough come February, so we’re going to have to play very well.”

The Cougars swept Monticello in regular-season play and have won 22 straight games.

Another Tri-Rivers team, Central City is enjoying its best 5-on-5 season ever. The Wildcats carry a 12-11 record into their 1A regional semifinal with No. 9 Valley Community (21-2) at Oelwein.

Central City is 10-1 against 1A competition.

“It’s our staff’s second year, and we’ve gotten the girls to buy into our system,” said Coach Cody Ratliff. “The kids have worked hard and gotten a little confidence.”

Ratliff acknowledged that depth will be on Valley’s side.

“We play six kids consistently, so they’ll outnumber us,” he said. “They have an excellent girl in the post (Shantel Lehmann), but I think we match up well with her, and if we handle their half-court pressure, we can compete.”