(WAND) - Just a single game is all that stands between the surviving girls' basketball programs and the IHSA state semifinals.

The postseason began with all teams qualifying for a chance to advance through regionals. Now, following a grueling sectional round, just 5 teams from across our area remain with hopes of reaching the Final Four - Mt. Pulaski, Pleasant Plains, Teutopolis, Glenwood, and MacArthur.

Here's what to know about each program taking the floor in Monday's super-sectionals.

1A Arcola Super-Sectional - Mt. Pulaski (31-1) vs. Edwards County (29-5)

Mt. Pulaski's lone loss of the season came on Feb. 9, against Clinton, who earned a #2 seed in the 2A Macomb sectional. The Hilltoppers have been, otherwise, dominant every step of the way this season. Only three of their victories were decided by a single-digit scoring margin. This includes their sectional title victory over Cumberland, which came down to a missed last second shot by the Pirates. Led by the guard-play of senior Alyson Murphy and junior Addy Brown, Mt. Pulaski has now won a regional in 3 of the last 5 seasons. With a win over Edwards County, the Hilltoppers could return to the state finals for the second time in program history. In 2012-13, they finished as state runners-up with a 29-5 record.

2A Pleasant Plains Super-Sectional - Pleasant Plains (29-2) vs. Tri-Valley (31-2)

Thanks to a combination of shot-making and impeccable defense, Pleasant Plains has not yet been tested this postseason. Through 4 playoff games including both the regional and sectional rounds, the Cardinals have not allowed opponents to score more than 23-points. Offensively, the team is contributing to an effort averaging 55.5 ppg through that same stretch. This could soon change, however, as the Cardinals and Vikings rank #4 and #8 in 2A according to the Associated Press. The Pleasant Plains program is no stranger to success. In its 38-year history the school has won 17 regional titles, 6 sectional championships, and a 2A state championship to conclude the 2019-20 season. 

2A Benton Super-Sectional - Teutopolis (27-6) vs. Breese Central (29-3)

Following a tough stretch in January where Teutopolis fell in four-straight games, the Wooden Shoes have found the ability to win games in a variety of ways. They've won low-scoring affairs like their 32-20 regional title over Robinson, but have also been in shootouts. In order to return to a top-4 finish in state, however, T-Town will need to best a tough Breese Central team who beat them by 20-points on Jan. 31. Head Coach Laurie Thompson knows what it takes to get to Normal. Since taking over the program before the 2006-07 season, she's led the team to a second or third place finish 5 times. Shoes fans are getting antsy though, as they haven't made a trip to the Final Four since 2019. With program pedigree, any year - including 2026, could be a breakthrough.

3A Chatham Super-Sectional: Glenwood (28-4) vs. MacArthur (26-6)

One of two CS8 conference teams will make the bus trip to Normal for a chance to win a state championship. For Glenwood, there are reasons to be confident. The Titans have home court in Chatham and bested the Generals in the regular season 58-36 on Dec. 19. Should they win, it'd be their 2nd trip to the semifinals in 3 seasons, with hopes of improving on their runners-up finish in 2023. 

Meanwhile, MacArthur is having a magical season and has come a long way since their trip to Chatham in December. The team fought their way to their first sectional title in program history, in a low-scoring nail-biter with Lincoln last Thursday. While the Titans may have a size advantage, the Generals defense has gone toe-to-toe with any opponent all season. Leaning on their play from guards and small forwards, scoring strategies for both teams may differ. If they start hot shooting, MacAthur can be a danger to any team.

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