By GREG MENGELT
There are significant storylines at all five local sectionals. The stories of the sectionals at North Harrison and New Washington are about teams with chances to do something very special in February.
At North Harrison, defending Class 3A champion Silver Creek (20-1) faces a tough field, while Class A No. 2 Lanesville (21-1) is a heavy favorite at New Wash.
The field at North Harrison is tough. Fortunately for Silver Creek, the other serious contenders in the field are on the other side of the bracket. Corydon Central (18-2), which has won seven straight games, will face Charlestown (16-5), which has won six in a row. The Panthers beat the Pirates in overtime in Dec. 21 in Charlestown.
The winner of that game gets Class 3A powerhouse Salem (10-8), which has been a little inconsistent this season but should still be considered a contender, in Friday’s first sectional semifinal. Both Charlestown and Corydon edged the Lions in the regular season.
North Harrison (9-10) and Madison (10-7) will meet in Wednesday’s first quarterfinal contest at 6 p.m. The winner plays Silver Creek in Friday’s second semifinal. The regular-season game between the Lady Cats and Cubs was canceled.
Lanesville, which has won 17 consecutive game since its only loss of the season Nov. 13, opens the sectional at New Washington against Rock Creek (7-8), which has had a resurgent season but lost to the Eagles 58-18 on Jan. 13. In fact, Lanesville outscored it sectional opponents 334-70 this year. The 40-point win over Rock Creek was the closest of those games.
Before Lanesville-Rock Creek, Christian Academy (6-13) will battle South Central (1-12) in the first game Tuesday. The Warriors beat South Central 44-28 on Dec. 29.
Borden (12-8) will play the Lanesville/Rock Creek winner in Friday’s first semifinal, followed by the host Mustangs (11-9) against either South Central or CAI.
In the 4A sectional at Jeffersonville, it appears that favorites Bedford North Lawrence (18-2) and Jennings County (16-4) are headed for a crash course in the championship game. However, the host Red Devils (9-7) will get the first shot at BNL on Tuesday evening following New Albany (5-17) vs. Seymour (9-9) at 6 p.m.
New Albany and Seymour play Thursday in their regular-season finale before meeting again next Tuesday. BNL beat Jeff 53-31 but that was all the way back on Nov. 20.
Jennings will face the winner of New Albany/Seymour, while the BNL-Jeff winner gets Floyd Central (7-13) in Friday’s other semifinal matchup.
In the 2A sectional at Crawford County, defending champion Eastern (11-10) will face Henryville (8-11) in the sectional opener at 6 p.m. Tuesday. That game will be followed by Clarksville (3-17) vs. Austin (6-10). Austin won 65-18 at Clarksville on Dec. 16.
Providence (6-12) drew a bye and will get the Eastern/Henryville winner in Friday’s first semifinal. Crawford County (9-11) has won five of its last six games and appears to be the top contender to the Musketeers’ throne. The host Wolfpack will play the winner of Clarksville and Austin in the second semi. Eastern beat Crawford County 41-28 on Nov. 6 in Pekin.
The Class A sectional at West Washington is a 5-team field with only one game Tuesday evening. That will feature the host Senators (12-7) vs. Edinburgh (8-7). West Washington beat the Lancers 44-40 on Jan. 8.
In Friday’s semifinals, favorite Trinity Lutheran (13-7) will battle Crothersville (3-11) before Shawe Memorial (8-9) faces the West Washington/Edinburgh winner.
CLASS 4A JEFFERSONVILLE SECTIONAL
FIRST ROUND
Tuesday, Feb. 1
New Albany (5-17) vs. Seymour (9-9), 6 p.m.
Bedford North Lawrence (18-2) vs. Jeffersonville (9-7), 7:30 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
Friday, Feb. 4
Jennings County (16-4) vs. New Albany/Seymour winners, 6 p.m.
Floyd Central (7-13) vs. BNL/Jeff winner, 7:30 p.m.
CHAMPIONSHIP
Saturday, Feb. 5
Semifinal winners, 7:30 p.m.
CLASS 3A NORTH HARRISON SECTIONAL
FIRST ROUND
Tuesday, Feb. 1
Charlestown (16-5) vs. Corydon Central (18-2), 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 2
North Harrison (9-10) vs. Madison (10-7), 6 p.m.
Silver Creek (20-1) vs. Scottsburg (10-9), 7:30 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
Friday, Feb. 4
Salem (10-8) vs. Charlestown/Corydon winner, 6 p.m.
North Harrison/Madison winner vs. Silver Creek/Scottsburg winner, 7:30 p.m.
CHAMPIONSHIP
Saturday, Feb. 5
Semifinal winners, 7:30 p.m.
CLASS 2A CRAWFORD COUNTY SECTIONAL
FIRST ROUND
Tuesday, Feb. 1
Eastern (11-10) vs. Henryville (8-11), 6 p.m.
Clarksville (3-17) vs. Austin (6-10), 7:30 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
Friday, Feb. 4
Providence (6-12) vs. Eastern/Henryville winner, 6 p.m.
Crawford County (9-11) vs. Clarksville/Austin winner, 7:30 p.m.
CHAMPIONSHIP
Saturday, Feb. 5
Semifinal winners, 7:30 p.m.
CLASS A NEW WASHINGTON SECTIONAL
FIRST ROUND
Tuesday, Feb. 1
South Central (1-12) vs. Christian Academy (6-13), 6 p.m.
Lanesville (21-1) vs. Rock Creek (7-8), 7:30 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
Friday, Feb. 4
New Washington (11-9) vs. South Central/CAI winner, 6 p.m.
Borden (12-8) vs. Lanesville/Rock Creek winner, 7:30 p.m.
CHAMPIONSHIP
Saturday, Feb. 5
Semifinal winners, 7:30 p.m.
CLASS A WEST WASHINGTON SECTIONAL
FIRST ROUND
Tuesday, Feb. 1
West Washington (12-7) vs. Edinburgh (8-7), 7 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
Friday, Feb. 4
Trinity Lutheran (13-7) vs. Crothersville (3-11), 6 p.m.
Shawe Memorial (8-9) vs. West Washington/Edinburgh winner, 7:30 p.m.
CHAMPIONSHIP
Saturday, Feb. 5
Semifinal winners, 7:30 p.m.
