The girls’ state basketball tournament opens this morning in Veterans Auditorium with the opening round in class 1A. Englsh Valleys is top ranked in 1A and 27-0. The Bears and coach Brian O’Neil are making their second straight appearance in the tournament.O’Neil says the Bear’s have been playing tough defense and it’s been a great run so far. He says it’s a relief to get back, but they want to play a few more games.The Bear’s take on 13th rated Fort Madison Aquinas in this afternoon’s fourth 1A first round game. O’Neil says having played in last year’s tournament is a plus for his team. He says it just gives them confidence, as he says he had lots of questions himself about what he was supposed to do.
