By GREG MENGELT
That includes six local sectionals, at Seymour (Class 4A), Salem (3A), Southwestern (2A), Tell (City), Borden (A) and Edinburgh (A).
Here’s a quick look at each local sectional:
CLASS 4A SEYMOUR SECTIONAL
This year’s Seymour Sectional seems more balanced than since its inception in 1998. While sixth-ranked Floyd Central (16-4) is certainly the favorite, at least four teams have to be considered potential threats to win the sectional, putting extra emphasis on the draw.
While the Highlanders were unbeaten against the sectional field in 2021-22, they were pushed to overtime by first-round opponent Jennings County (14-6) on Jan. 21. If Floyd gets by Jennings, it will face New Albany (11-10), which drew a first-round bye, in Friday’s second semifinal. The Highlanders beat their rivals 57-26 on Dec. 10.
Defending champion Jeffersonville (6-10) had to like its draw. The Red Devils will face Bedford North Lawrence (10-10) in the sectional’s first game Tuesday. The Red Devils, who’ve won four of their last six games, beat BNL 44-42 with a Will Lovings-Watts shot at the buzzer 10 days ago.
The Red Devils beat the Stars 57-53 to win last year’s sectional championship. If they can get past BNL again, it would face Seymour (13-6), which has had its best season in years. The Owls beat the Red Devils 55-47 on Dec. 10. Seymour hasn’t won a sectional since 1992 and is 6-25 in sectional games in the class era (1998-present).
CLASS 4A SEYMOUR SECTIONAL
FIRST ROUND
Tuesday, March 1
Jeffersonville (6-10) vs. Bedford North Lawrence (10-10), 6 p.m.
Floyd Central (16-4) vs. Jennings County (14-6), 7:30 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
Friday, March 4
Seymour (13-6) vs. Jeffersonville/BNL winner, 6 p.m.
New Albany (11-10) vs. Floyd Central/Jennings County winner, 7:30 p.m.
CHAMPIONSHIP
Saturday, March 5
Semifinal winners, TBA
CLASS 3A SALEM SECTIONAL
Three-time defending champion Silver Creek (10-11) and sectional favorite North Harrison (15-3) are on opposite sides of the bracket at Salem.
North Harrison is going for its first sectional championship since 1996. The Cougars, who are 6-0 against sectional opponents, will open the sectional next Tuesday night against Charlestown (8-13) in Tuesday’s lone quarterfinal game. Charlestown has won its last three games.
Silver Creek, which beat North Harrison 44-41 to win last year’s sectional championship en route its second state championship in as many years, will open play Wednesday against Salem (4-15) with Madison (6-15) and Scottsburg (12-8) playing in the second game Wednesday. Wednesday’s winners play in the Friday’s second semifinal.
Corydon Central (14-7), which had its 8-game winning streak snapped by Silver Creek on Friday, will be the opponent for the North Harrison-Salem winner in Friday’s first semifinal. North Harrison beat rival Corydon 65-41 on Dec. 3, but the Panthers have been a different team the second half of the season.
North Harrison, Silver Creek, Scottsburg and Corydon all have to be considered contenders.
CLASS 3A SALEM SECTIONAL
FIRST ROUND
Tuesday, March 1
North Harrison (15-3) vs. Charlestown (8-13), 7 p.m.
Wednesday, March 2
Salem (4-15) vs. Silver Creek (10-11), 6 p.m.
Madison (6-15) vs. Scottsburg (12-8), 7:30 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
Friday, March 4
Corydon Central (14-7) vs. North Harrison/Charlestown winner, 6 p.m.
Salem/Silver Creek winner vs. Madison/Scottsburg winner, 7:30 p.m.
CHAMPIONSHIP
Saturday, March 5
Semifinal winners, TBA
CLASS 2A SOUTHWESTERN SECTIONAL
Last year, Providence and Southwestern played a classic in the sectional championship game. Looks like the Pioneers and Rebels could be on a crash course for the title game again next week.
Defending champion Southwestern will face Henryville (8-13) in the opening round Tuesday and would face Clarksville (6-14) by beating the Hornets. Southwestern beat Clarksville 67-44 on Dec. 14.
No. 16 Providence (16-4) drew a first-round bye. Austin (4-14) and Switzerland County (8-13) will play for the right to advance to the semifinals to face the Pioneers. Providence beat Austin 60-40 on Dec. 3.
CLASS 2A SOUTHWESTERN SECTIONAL
FIRST ROUND
Tuesday, March 1
Switzerland County (8-13) vs. Austin (4-14), 6 p.m.
Southwestern (14-7) vs. Henryville (8-13), 7:30 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
Friday, March 4
Providence (14-6) vs. Switzerland County/Austin winner, 6 p.m.
Clarksville (6-14) vs. Southwestern/Henryville winner, 7:30 p.m.
CHAMPIONSHIP
Saturday, March 5
Semifinal winners, TBA
CLASS 2A TELL CITY SECTIONAL
The 5-team sectional at Tell City appears to be a 3-team race.
Defending champion Paoli (12-8) faces Crawford County (3-18) in Tuesday’s only quarterfinal matchup. With a win, the Rams would face 2-19 Tell City in Friday’s semifinals.
Eastern (16-4) will battle Perry Central (11-9) in the best opening-round game at Tell City.
Last year, Paoli beat the Eastern 32-31 in last year’s championship game, but the Musketeers defeated the Rams 39-22 on Jan. 15.
TELL CITY SECTIONAL
CLASS 2A TELL CITY SECTIONAL
FIRST ROUND
Tuesday, March 1
Paoli (12-8) vs. Crawford County (3-18), 7 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
Friday, March 4
Eastern (16-4) vs. Perry Central (11-9), 6 p.m.
Tell City (2-19) vs. Paoli/Crawford County winner, 7:30 p.m.
CHAMPIONSHIP
Saturday, March 5
Semifinal winners, TBA
CLASS A BORDEN SECTIONAL
Favorite Rock Creek (11-8) and host Borden (14-6) are in the same half of the bracket. The Lions open the sectional Tuesday against New Washington (6-15) with the Braves facing the winner in Friday’s semifinals.
Rock Creek beat New Wash 68-60 on Saturday and earlier won at Borden, 57-42.
South Central (7-14) drew the other bye at Borden. The Rebels will play the winner between Christian Academy (9-12) and defending champion n Lanesville (6-16). The Warriors will be looking for revenge. The Eagles upset CAI 59-55 on Jan. 14.
BORDEN SECTIONAL
CLASS A BORDEN SECTIONAL
FIRST ROUND
Tuesday, March 1
Rock Creek (11-8) vs. New Washington (6-15), 6 p.m.
Christian Academy (9-12) vs. Lanesville (6-16), 7:30 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
Friday, March 4
Borden (14-6) vs. Rock Creek/New Washington winner, 6 p.m.
South Central (7-14) vs. Christian Academy/Lanesville winner, 7:30 p.m.
CHAMPIONSHIP
Saturday, March 5
Semifinal winners, TBA
CLASS A EDINBURGH SECTIONAL
West Washington (8-12) has a clear path to the sectional championship game. The Senators will open with 8-10 Shawe Memorial on Tuesday, and with a win, would face Medora (4-18) in Friday’s semifinal round. West Washington didn’t face either the Hilltoppers or the Hornets during the regular season, but it will be big favorites against either team.
Should West Washington advance to Saturday’s championship game. awaiting West Washington in the championship game will be No. 4 Edinburgh (18-3), which opens the sectional Tuesday against defending champion Trinity Lutheran (8-14).
The Lancers, who are 4-0 against the sectional field, defeated the Senators 48-47 in double overtime on Jan. 8 and won at Trinity 54-44 last Tuesday.
EDINBURGH SECTIONAL
CLASS A EDINBURGH SECTIONAL
FIRST ROUND
Tuesday, March 1
Shawe (8-10) vs. West Washington (8-12), 6 p.m.
Trinity Lutheran (8-14) vs. Edinburgh (18-3), 7:30 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
Friday, March 4
Medora (4-18) vs. Shawe/West Washington winner, 6 p.m.
Crothersville (3-18) vs. Triitny Lutheran/Edinburgh winner, 7:30 p.m.
CHAMPIONSHIP
Saturday, March 5
Semifinal winners, TBA
