Never mind March Madness.

We have a February Frenzy on our hands.

The Butler County area — including outlying schools Union, A-C Valley and Grove City — combines to put 25 varsity boys and girls basketball teams on the floor. As many as 18 of those may be involved in postseason play this month.

A number of them may enter the playoffs as championship teams.

On the boys side, Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic is a section champion. Mars and Freeport entered play this weekend with a chance at section crowns as well.

Karns City and Moniteau’s boys are legitimate threats to win the District 9 title and Grove City could claim a District 10 crown.

On the girls side, Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic has won its section and Slippery Rock has won the Region 5 title in District 10. Karns City and Moniteau’s girls could very well meet each other for the District 9 championship.

Area basketball fans should relish the next few weeks.

Odd men out?

There is a price to be paid for playing in a deep section. Quality teams don’t get an invitation to the postseason party.

Count Knoch and Central Catholic among them — and maybe Seneca Valley or Butler. These are playoff-caliber, hard-working teams.

Unfortunately, there’s just not room for everyone.

Dream teams

I’ve been around here long enough to piece together my all-time best among basketball players I’ve watched play in this county.

For a girls team, how about Olivia Bresnahan of Butler and Jence Rhoads of Slippery Rock at guard, Sam Breen of CW North Catholic at center, Lily Grenci of Mars and Courtnay Rattigan of Karns City at forward?

For a boys team, Tyler Callihan of Karns City and Nate Snodgrass of Butler at guard, Robby Carmody of Mars, Tyrell Sales of Butler and John Castello of Mars at forward.

There are many notable names excluded from that list, but I’d take my chances with those two lineups.

Our biggest dynasty

There can be no question — Butler High School bowling.

Since that program debuted a few years ago, the girls compiled a 50-match win streak and won a state championship. While the boys haven’t succeeded that way at the state level yet, stay tuned.

This year’s boys team has five bowlers averaging above 180 and two above the 190 mark. And the girls have yet another solid lineup.

Credit the youth program in town, the coaching, whatever ... Butler bowling has been a dominant program since the day it was formed and it’s not going away anytime soon.

Knoch, Mars and Seneca Valley have put together quality bowling programs as well. Butler has set the bar they are striving to reach.