By KENZIE WINSTEAD
Content Editor
At just about every turn he takes, Floyd Central senior standout Cobie Barnes hears about the Highlanders’ 30-year sectional drought.
Floyd Central hasn’t won a sectional since 1989, when the Highlanders went all the way to a one-class final four. They fell to Kokomo 73-70 at Market Square Arena.
Barnes, who has signed with Indiana State University and is a logical choice to make the Indiana All-Star team, said the Highlanders won’t make the mistake of overlooking any team.
“That will get you beat,” he said. “If you do that on Tuesday, you won’t be playing on Friday. If you do that Friday, you won’t be playing Saturday night.”
Barnes and the Highlanders (20-2) will start their postseason march Tuesday night in the Seymour Sectional against Jennings County (8-15). If Floyd Central wins, they will face Floyd County rival New Albany (17-6) in the second semifinal Friday night.
As sectional week begins, Floyd Central is riding an 11-game winning streak. Barnes has done his part, averaging 27.3 points an outing.
Still, Barnes said the Highlanders have sights on a deep run in the state tournament in his last go-around.
“It’s bittersweet,” Barnes said of his final season at Floyd Central. “We haven’t had the success that we’ve wanted for this team.
“We want to change the narrative (of Floyd Central basketball),” he said.
Barnes said the Seymour Sectional is loaded with talented players.
“It’s not going to be easy,” he said. “We’re going to get tested every game. It (winning the sectional) is important to everyone, not just us.”
The Highlanders have lost just four times in the last two seasons.
One of Floyd Central’s losses came at Jeffersonville on Jan. 11. The Red Devils prevailed 46-43.
“They’re a very talented team,” Barnes said of Jeff. “When they’re shooting it well, they can really shoot it.”
Jeff is led by Tre Coleman, who Barnes said is his “best friend.”
Barnes said the Highlanders don’t get a lot of credit because “our style of basketball isn’t flashy. We just play hard and get after it at both ends of the court.”
