By GREG MENGELT
Earlier that season, the Highlanders beat Jennings 49-46 in overtime. Last year, Floyd held off the Panthers for a 55-52 victory. Earlier this season, the Panthers took the Highlanders to overtime before Floyd Central prevailed 67-58 en route to the Hoosier Hills Conference championship and a perfect record against the Seymour Sectional field.
The 12th-ranked Highlanders (17-4) and Jennings County (14-8) meet again in tonight’s Hoosier Hills Hoops Game of the Night as the HHC rivals play the nightcap in a doubleheader to open the sectional at the famed Lloyd E. Scott Gymnasium.
“They’ve matched up well against us,” Floyd Central coach Todd Sturgeon said. “They present a lot of challenges on offense and they have the size to match up with us that a lot of teams don’t. They have size and shooters. They have a good team.”
Floyd could play rival New Albany (11-11) in Friday’s semifinal and defending champion Jeffersonville (7-11) or host Seymour (15-6) in Saturday’s championship game, but Sturgeon is confident his favored Highlanders won’t overlook the Panthers.
“We are not,” he said. “That would be a grave error on our part.”
Jeffersonville battles Bedford North Lawrence (11-11) in the first game of the sectional Tuesday evening. The Red Devils won last year’s sectional but started the 2021-22 season 2-8. Jeff has looked much better in the second half of the season, including a 44-42 victory over the Stars on Feb. 10. The Jeff-BNL winner faces the host Owls in Friday’s first semifinal. This is Seymour’s winningest team since the 2004-05 Owls, who lost to Jennings County 54-52 in the sectional championship that year.
There’s only one game at the Class 3A sectional at Salem on Tuesday. That pits sectional-favorite North Harrison (16-3) team against a Charlestown (8-14) squad that has won three of its last four games. The No. 13 Cougars beat Charlestown 61-32 on Feb. 5 and went 6-0 against the sectional field in 2021-22.
The second round of quarterfinals will be played Wednesday with a strong possibility of a great semifinals featuring North Harrison against 14-8 Corydon Central and Scottsburg (14-8) against 4-time defending champion Silver Creek (11-12). The Dragons have won the sectional seven times in the last eight years.
At Southwestern, the host Rebels (15-7) will be heavily-favored against Henryville (8-14), although the Hornets have played well down the stretch, winning four of their last six regular-season games. The winner gets Clarksville (7-15) in Friday’s second semifinal.
In the first semifinal of the 2A sectional, Austin (6-14) will try to avenge an earlier 68-64 loss at Switzerland County (10-13). Co-favorite Providence (15-6) awaits the Austin-Switzerland County winner.
There are two interesting games at Borden on Friday. First, Rock Creek (13-8) faces New Washington (6-17). The Lions went 5-0 against the sectional field, 8-0 against Class A competition and are clearly the frontrunners at Borden. However, all six teams have to feel like they can win the title, including New Wash, which took a 68-60 loss to Rock Creek on Feb. 19. The winner will face No. 15 Borden (14-7) in Friday’s first semifinal.
In the other semi, defending champion Lanesville (6-17) will try to beat Christian Academy (10-13) for a second time. The Eagles defeated CAI 59-55 on Jan. 14 and 61-49 in last year’s sectional championship. Fresh off its 65-58 upset of Corydon Central, South Central (8-15) will await the winner in Friday’s second semifinal.
West Washington (9-13) opens the sectional at Edinburgh against Shawe Memorial (8-12) on Tuesday. The Senators, who have won three sectionals in the last seven years, appear to have a clear path to the championship game, where the host Lancers (19-3) will likely be the opponent. With an expected win Tuesday, West Washington will play Medora (4-19) in Friday’s first semifinal. In Tuesday’s second quarterfinal, Edinburgh faces a Trinity Lutheran (9-14) team it beat 54-44 on Feb. 15. The winner gets Crothersville (3-19) in Friday’s second game at Edinburgh.
In the other local sectional, the only local team, No. 14 Eastern (17-5), doesn’t play until Friday’s semifinal round when the Musketeers will face Perry Central (12-10) in the Class 2A Tell City Sectional. In Tuesday’s only game at Tell City, Paoli (13-9) will battle Crawford County (3-19) with the winner getting the host Minutemen (2-21) in Friday’s second semifinal.
GAME OF THE NIGHT
CLASS 4A SEYMOUR SECTIONAL
FLOYD CENTRAL VS. JENNINGS COUNTY
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Lloyd E. Scott Gymnasium, Seymour H.S. (1350 W. Second St., Seymour)
• Records:
Floyd Central 17-4. The Highlanders have lost two of their last three games.
Jennings County 14-8. The Panthers have lost their last two games.
• Coaches:
Floyd Central — Todd Sturgeon (139-44 in eighth season at Floyd)
Jennings County — Josh Land (66-77 in sixth season at Jennings)
• Rankings:
Floyd Central — No. 13 IBCA (single class); No. 12 ICGSA (Class 4A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Floyd Central — No. 11, No. 11 Class 4A
Jennings County— No. 33, No. 27 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
Floyd Central — Defeated Columbus East 56-33 (Feb. 23)
Jennings County — Lost at Franklin 79-67 (Feb. 25)
• Sectionals titles (most recent): Floyd 15 (2020); Jennings 10 (2005).
• Regular-season result: Jan. 21 — At Floyd Central 67, Jennings County 58 (OT).
• Last postseason matchup: March 7, 2020 — Floyd Central 70, Jennings County 33 (Class 4A Seymour Sectional championship).
• John Harrell prediction: Floyd 61, Jennings 52.
• Sagarin projection: Floyd by 7.
• Outlook: It’ll be easier for Floyd this time around.
• Greg’s pick: Floyd Central 60, Jennings County 50.
JEFFERSONVILLE VS. BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE
• Time: 6 p.m.
• Location: Lloyd E. Scott Gymnasium, Seymour H.S. (1350 W. Second St., Seymour)
• Records:
Jeffersonville 7-11. The Red Devils have lost two of their last three games.
Bedford North Lawrence 11-11. The Stars have lost two of their last three.
• Coaches:
Jeffersonville — Andrew Grantz (22-18 in second season at Jeff, 110-60 in seventh season overall)
BNL — Jeff Hein (40-32 in third season at BNL, 335-238 in 25th season overall)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Jeffersonville — No. 88, No. 55 Class 4A
BNL— No. 99, No. 59 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
Jeffersonville — Lost to Castle 57-55 (Feb. 25)
BNL — Lost at Jasper 52-33 (Feb. 24)
• Sectionals titles (most recent): Jeff 41 (2021); BNL 18 (2001).
• Regular-season result: Feb. 10 — At Jeffersonville 44, BNL 42.
• Last postseason matchup: March 6, 2021 — Jeffersonville 57, BNL 53 (Class 4A Seymour Sectional championship).
• News & notes: Jeff’s Will Lovings-Watts hit a game-winning floater at the buzzer in the regular-season matchup.
• John Harrell prediction: Jeff 56, BNL 51.
• Sagarin projection: Jeff by 2.
• Outlook: Jeff got an advantageous draw and I expect the Devils to get to Saturday’s championship game.
• Greg’s pick: Jeffersonville 59, BNL 41.
CLASS 3A SALEM SECTIONAL
NORTH HARRISON VS. CHARLESTOWN
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Location: Brooks Memorial Gymnasium, Salem H.S. (700 N. Harrison St., Salem)
• Records:
North Harrison 16-3. The Cougars are on an 8-game winning streak
Charlestown 8-14. The Pirates have won three of their last four.
• Coaches:
North Harrison — Lou Lefevre (52-13 in third season at North Harrison, 317-93 in 18th season overall)
Charlestown — Matt Lynch (8-14 in first season at Charlestown, 77-64 in sixth season overall)
• Rankings:
North Harrison — No. 13 ICGSA (Class 3A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
North Harrison — No. 56, No. 11 Class 3A
Charlestown— No. 282, No. 78 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
North Harrison — Defeated Paoli 53-38 (Feb. 22)
Charlestown — Lost to Southwestern 78-58 (Feb. 22)
• Sectionals titles (most recent): North Harrison 9 (1996); Charlestown 9 (2008).
• Regular-season result: Feb. 5 — North Harrison 61, at Charlestown 32.
• Last postseason matchup: Feb. 28, 2018 — North Harrison 61, Charlestown 46 (Class 3A North Harrison Sectional first round).
• John Harrell prediction: North Harrison 65, Charlestown 37.
• Sagarin projection: North Harrison by 26.
• Outlook: What the Pirates have done over the last month has been impressive, but North Harrison is much better.
• Greg’s pick: North Harrison 58, Charlestown 42.
CLASS 2A SOUTHWESTERN SECTIONAL
AUSTIN VS. SWITZERLAND COUNTY
• Time: 6 p.m.
• Location: Delbert O. King Gymnasium, Southwestern H.S. (167 S. Main Cross St., Hanover)
• Records:
Austin 6-14. The Eagles won their final two regular-season games.
Switzerland County 10-13. The Pacers won their last two regular-season games.
• Coaches:
Austin — Randy Edwards (41-76 in fifth season at Austin)
Switzerland County — Travis Wrightsman (13-34 in second season at Switzerland Co., 277-193 in 19th season overall)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Austin — No. 309, No. 75 Class 2A
Switzerland County— No. 296, No. 69 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
Austin — Won at Crothersville 91-55 (Feb. 25)
Switzerland County — Defeated Madison 53-49 (Feb. 24)
• Sectionals titles (most recent): Austin 8 (2018); Switzerland County 7 (2013).
• Regular-season result: Nov. 27 — At Switzerland County 68, Austin 64.
• Last postseason matchup: March 6, 2015 — Switzerland County 61, Austin 56 (Class 2A South Ripley Sectional semifinal).
• John Harrell prediction: Switzerland County 61, Austin 57.
• Sagarin projection: Switzerland County by 3.
• Outlook: Austin is better. I’ll be surprised if the Eagles don’t advance.
• Greg’s pick: Austin 68, Switzerland County 58.
HENRYVILLE VS. SOUTHWESTERN
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Delbert O. King Gymnasium, Southwestern H.S. (167 S. Main Cross St., Hanover)
• Records:
Henryville 8-14. The Hornets have lost two of their last three games.
Southwestern 15-7. The Rebels have lost two of their last three.
• Coaches:
Henryville — Jared Hill (99-90 in eighth season at Henryville)
Southwestern — Zac Nussbaum (40-15 in third season at Southwestern)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Henryville — No. 291, No. 66 Class 2A
Southwestern— No. 126, No. 18 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
Henryville — Lost at Clarksville 51-46 (Feb. 22)
Southwestern — Won at Charlestown 78-58 (Feb. 22)
• Sectionals titles (most recent): Henryville 2 (2005); Southwestern 9 (2021).
• Regular-season result: Did not play.
• Last postseason matchup: March 5, 2021 — Southwestern 56, Henryville 41 (Class 2A Southwestern Sectional semifinal).
• John Harrell prediction: Southwestern 65, Henryville 43.
• Sagarin projection: Southwestern by 23.
• Outlook: Henryville may make this a game for a while, but Southwestern should win going away.
• Greg’s pick: Southwestern 66, Henryville 48.
CLASS A BORDEN SECTIONAL
ROCK CREEK VS. NEW WASHINGTON
• Time: 6 p.m.
• Location: Borden Junior-Senior H.S. (301 West St., Borden)
• Records:
Rock Creek 13-8. The Lions are on a 4-game winning streak.
New Washington 6-17. The Mustangs have lost three straight.
• Coaches:
Rock Creek — Chris Brown (361-289 in 26th season at Rock Creek)
New Washington — Kyle Brown (15-32 in second season at New Wash)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Rock Creek — No. 204, No. 21 Class A
New Washington— No. 330, No. 61 Class A
• Most recent game:
Rock Creek — Defeated Clarksville 52-50 (Feb. 25)
New Washington — Lost at Switzerland County 60-46 (Feb. 23)
• Sectionals titles (most recent): Rock Creek 2 (2016); New Wash 5 (2017).
• Regular-season result: Feb. 19 — Rock Creek 68, at New Washington 60.
• Last postseason matchup: Feb. 28, 2017 — New Washington 49, Rock Creek 47 (Class A New Washington Sectional first round)
• John Harrell prediction: Rock Creek 62, New Washington 46.
• Sagarin projection: Rock Creek by 18.
• Outlook: The Mustangs going to hang in this one. They’re too tough and talented not to, but the Lions are too big for New Wash.
• Greg’s pick: Rock Creek 49, New Washington 39.
CHRISTIAN ACADEMY VS. LANESVILLE
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Borden Junior-Senior H.S. (301 West St., Borden)
• Records:
Christian Academy 10-13. The Warriors lost two of their last three regular-season games.
Lanesville 6-17. The Eagles lost their last two regular-season games.
• Coaches:
Christian Academy — Hayden Casey (19-30 in second season at CAI)
Lanesville — Mikel Miller (293-226 in 22nd season at Lanesville)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Christian Academy — No. 263, No. 38 Class A
Lanesville— No. 325, No. 60 Class A
• Most recent game:
Christian Academy — Won at Northeast Dubois 58-53, OT (Feb. 25)
Lanesville — Lost to Austin 63-51 (Feb. 22)
• Sectionals titles (most recent): CAI 5 (2020); Lanesville 6 (2021).
• Regular-season result: Jan. 4 — Christian Academy 63, at New Washington 47.
• Last postseason matchup: March 6, 2021 — Lanesville 61, CAI 49 (Class A Borden Sectional championship)
• John Harrell prediction: CAI 59, Lanesville 47.
• Sagarin projection: CAI by 10.
• Outlook: Don’t be stunned if Lanesville pulls off the upset, but I’m taking CAI in a close one.
• Greg’s pick: CAI 65, Lanesville 60.
CLASS A EDINBURGH SECTIONAL
WEST WASHINGTON VS. SHAWE MEMORIAL
• Time: 6 p.m.
• Location: Edinburgh H.S. (300 S. Keeley, Edinburgh)
• Records:
West Washington 9-13. The Senators have won three of their last four games.
Shawe Memorial 8-12. The Hilltoppers are on a 3-game losing streak.
• Coaches:
West Washington — Clayton Sullivan (48-49 in fourth season at West Washington)
Shawe — Dan Hambrick (18-45 in third season at Shawe)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
West Washington — No. 300, No. 50 Class A
Shawe— No. 384, No. 87 Class A
• Most recent game:
West Washington — Defeated Shoals 53-41 (Feb. 25)
Shawe — Lost at Rising Sun 65-32 (Feb. 23)
• Sectionals titles (most recent): West Washington 5 (2019); Shawe 5 (2011).
• Regular-season result: Jan. 29 — Canceled.
• Last postseason matchup: March 2, 2021 — West Washington 77, Shawe 29 (Class A West Washington Sectional first round)
• News & notes: West Washington has eliminated Shawe in each of the past three postseasons.
• John Harrell prediction: West Washington 60, Shawe 39.
• Sagarin projection: West Washington by 19.
• Outlook: It’s going to be all Senators.
• Greg’s pick: West Washington 66, Shawe 35.
