By KENZIE WINSTEAD
Content Editor
The Class 4A Seymour Sectional is back to normal, and now everyone believes they have a chance.
Romeo Langford and Sean East — who helped New Albany secure a stranglehold on the sectional — have graduated. During their four years, the Bulldogs went 100-10, including one state championship and two regional titles.
With some normalcy back, Floyd Central will try to do something it hasn’t in 30 years — win a sectional of its own.
The fourth-ranked Highlanders (20-2), winners of 11 straight, certainly have the resume and they have the sectional’s best player in Indiana State signee Cobie Barnes.
Floyd Central coach Todd Sturgeon has confidence in his group. “I’m not surprised by it,” he said of the 20-win regular season. “I think our guys are hungry, motivated and excited. (But) it will be a challenge.”
The Highlanders are led by Barnes and guard Jake Heidbreder. They’ve got plenty of seniors but those seniors didn’t have a lot of varsity experience before this season, other than Barnes.
Floyd Central drew Jennings County (8-14) in the first round. If they advance, the Highlanders would take on county rival New Albany (16-6).
Although they’ve won 11 of their last 12 games, the Bulldogs lost one of their best players in Julien Hunter, who was recently sidelined with a broken foot.
“We haven’t had much time to sulk,” said New Albany coach Jim Shannon. “I felt bad for Julien because he’s one of the nicest kids I’ve been around.”
On the top side of the bracket, awaits Jeffersonville (15-5), co-champions of the Hoosier Hills Conference with Floyd Central.
In fact, Jeff beat Floyd Central 46-43 on Jan. 11.
Jeff’s only conference loss came at Bedford North Lawrence, a team the Red Devils likely will play in the semifinals.
The Red Devils are led by a trio of solid juniors Tre Coleman (16.9 ppg), Darin Starks (12.9 ppg) and Jacob Jones (11.1 ppg) and Will Lovings-Watts, one of the best freshmen in the state.
Jeff coach Joe Luce said the key to his team’s success is Jones, his point guard. “When he’s on and his mind is right, we’re tough to beat,” he said.
KENZIE’S FAVORITE: Floyd Central. The Highlanders are one of the best defensive teams in the state and they’ve got a solid Division I player in Barnes, certainly an Indiana All-Star candidate. Floyd Central is allowing just 43 points a game.
KENZIE’S CONTENDER: Jeff. If they can stay out of foul trouble and keep its five starters on the floor, the Red Devils are as good as anyone. They own wins over their two biggest rivals, Floyd and New Albany (60-49) and Louisville Ballard (77-73).
KENZIE’S DARKHORSE: New Albany. Even with the absence of Hunter, the Bulldogs have showed they can still win by beating BNL and Evansville Central. New Albany now must lean on Derrick Stevenson and Chris Johnson.
SEYMOUR SECTIONAL
Gym capacity: 8,110
Defending champion: New Albany
Tuesday: Jeffersonville (15-5) vs. Seymour (3-17), 6 p.m. Jennings County (8-14) vs. Floyd Central (20-2), 7:30 p.m.;
Friday: Jeff-Seymour winner vs. Bedford North Lawrence (12-9), 6 p.m. Jennings-Floyd winner vs. New Albany (16-6), 7:30 p.m.
Saturday: Final.
