By GREG MENGELT
North Harrison-Scottsburg, Providence-Southwestern, Borden-Christian Academy and Eastern-Paoli all have a chance to be classics. The other two games have potential to be good, as well. Jeffersonville lost to 13th-ranked Floyd by 24 points in the regular season, but the Red Devils led at the half during their nightmare of a start to the season. At Edinburgh, the No. 7 Lancers are a significant favorite over West Washington, but it took Edinburgh a couple of overtimes to defeat the Senators in the regular season.
Floyd Central (19-4) and Jeffersonville (9-11) are the last two Seymour Sectional champions. Last year, the Red Devils needed three overtimes to keep the Highlanders from repeating as champions. Floyd won 58-34 on Jan. 14, but that’s a result that can be thrown out. Jeff was in the middle of its 2-8 start, which included a suspension to its best player, a couple of Covid pauses, an injury to its starting point guard and its coach, Andrew Grantz, was out with a respiratory illness.
As it has been all year, Floyd is a pretty heavy favorite, but no one would be shocked if the talented Red Devils made it very difficult on the Highlanders.
Class 3A No. 13 North Harrison North Harrison (18-3) beat Scottsburg (16-8) in overtime on its way to a share of the Mid-Southern Conference championship. The Cougars have won 10 in a row, but no team has been playing better than the Warriors. Scottsburg beat 2-time defending 3A state champion Silver Creek 68-60 in overtime in Friday’s second semifinal.
Providence (16-6) and Southwestern (17-7), who will meet for the sectional championship in Hanover, played a 1-point game in the first game of January. That game was played on the Rebels’ homecourt, as well. The Pioneers come into the championship game playing very well, going 5-2 in their last seven games with the losses coming against co-MSC champions North Harrison and Brownstown Central.
Eastern (18-5) and Paoli (15-9) were easily the best teams at the Tell City Sectional. Both teams proved it Friday with comfortable wins. The sides didn’t meet in the regular season, but the Musketeers have the better record and played the far superior schedule this season.
In Class A, 16th-ranked Borden (15-7) pulled off a slight upset in Friday’s semifinal round, beating Rock Creek 46-42. Their opponent in Saturday’s championship, Christian Academy (12-13) won its first two sectional games by a combined 104-53. The Braves beat CAI 59-49 on Jan. 4 in Borden.
West Washington (11-13) will play for its second sectional championship in four years when it faces host and seventh-ranked Edinburgh (21-3). The Senators have won three in a row and five of their last six and beat Shawe and Medora by a combined 125-77 in the first two round.
SECTIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES
SATURDAY
CLASS 4A SEYMOUR SECTIONAL
JEFFERSONVILLE VS. FLOYD CENTRAL
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Lloyd E. Scott Gymnasium, Seymour H.S. (1350 W. Second St., Seymour)
• Records:
Jeffersonville 9-11. The Red Devils have won their last two games and three of their last four.
Floyd Central 19-4. The Highlanders have won their last three and 14 of their last 16.
• Coaches:
Jeffersonville — Andrew Grantz (24-18 in second season at Jeff, 112-60 season overall)
Floyd Central — Todd Sturgeon (141-44 in eighth season at Floyd Central)
• Rankings:
Floyd Central — No. 13 IBCA (single class); No. 13 AP (Class 4A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Jeffersonville — No. 72, No. 47 Class 4A
Floyd Central— No. 11, No. 11 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
Jeffersonville — Defeated Seymour 55-40 (March 4, Class 4A Seymour Sectional semifinal)
Floyd Central — Defeated New Albany 52-39 (March 4, Class 4A Seymour Sectional semifinal)
• Sectionals titles (most recent): Jeff 39 (2021, second in three years); Floyd 15 (2020).
• Regular-season result: Jan. 14 — At Floyd Central 58, Jeffersonville 34.
• Last postseason matchup: March 5, 2021 — Jeffersonville 66, Floyd Central 64 (3 OT) (Class 4A Seymour Sectional semifinal).
• John Harrell prediction: Floyd Central 59, Jeffersonville 50.
• Sagarin projection: Floyd by 11.
• Outlook: If only this game could be as good as last year’s 3-overtime thriller. It could be. Jeff is playing well and may be the sectional’s most talented team. However, the Highlanders have been the sectional’s best team all year.
• Greg’s pick: Floyd Central 66, Jeffersonville 58.
CLASS 3A SALEM SECTIONAL
NORTH HARRISON VS. SCOTTSBURG
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Location: Brooks Memorial Gymnasium, Salem H.S. (700 N. Harrison St., Salem)
• Records:
North Harrison 18-3. The Cougars have 10 straight wins.
Scottsburg 16-8. The Warriors are on a 7-game winning streak.
• Coaches:
North Harrison — Lou Lefevre (54-13 in third season at North Harrison, 319-93 in 18th season overall)
Scottsburg — Eric Richardson (22-26 in second season at Scottsburg)
• Rankings:
North Harrison — No. 13 AP (Class 3A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
North Harrison — No. 56, No. 12 Class 3A
Scottsburg— No. 83, No. 20 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
North Harrison — Defeated Corydon 58-52 (March 4, Class 3A Salem Sectional semifinal)
Scottsburg — Defeated Silver Creek 68-60 (OT) (March 4, Class 3A Salem Sectional semifinal)
• Sectionals titles (most recent): North Harrison 9 (1996); Scottsburg 22 (2005).
• Regular-season result: Jan. 8 — North Harrison 56, at Scottsburg 52 (OT).
• Last postseason matchup: March 6, 2015 — Scottsburg 72, North Harrison 70 (OT) (Class 3A Corydon Central Sectional semifinal).
• John Harrell prediction: North Harrison 54, Scottsburg 52.
• Sagarin projection: North Harrison by 4.
• Outlook: North Harrison has been the favorite in this sectional from the start of the season. Nothing has changed, but the Warriors may be the area’s hottest team. This could be an instant classic.
• Greg’s pick: North Harrison 50, Scottsburg 47.
CLASS 2A SOUTHWESTERN SECTIONAL
PROVIDENCE VS. SOUTHWESTERN
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Location: Delbert O. King Gymnasium, Southwestern H.S. (167 S. Main Cross St., Hanover)
• Records:
Providence 16-6. The Pioneers have won their last two games and five of their last seven.
Southwestern 17-7. The Rebels have won three in a row and 10 of their last 12.
• Coaches:
Providence — Ryan Miller (46-22 in third season at Providence)
Southwestern — Zac Nussbaum (42-15 in third season at Southwestern)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Providence — No. 118, No. 14 Class 2A
Southwestern— No. 121, No. 15 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
Providence — Defeated Switzerland County 56-26 (March 4, Class 2A Southwestern Sectional semifinal)
Southwestern — Defeated Clarksville 57-54 (March 4, Class 2A Southwestern Sectional semifinal)
• Sectionals titles (most recent): Providence 9 (2020); Southwestern 9 (2021, third in four years).
• Regular-season result: Jan. 4 — Providence 49, at Southwestern 48.
• Last postseason matchup: March 5, 2021 — Southwestern 74, Providence 51 (Class 2A Southwestern Sectional championship game).
• John Harrell prediction: Providence 55, Southwestern 53.
• Sagarin projection: Southwestern by 3.
• Outlook: Not that Southwestern can’t win. It certainly can. But it’s become pretty clear over the last month or so that Providence is the best team in this sectional.
• Greg’s pick: Providence 54, Southwestern 45.
CLASS 2A TELL CITY SECTIONAL
EASTERN VS. PAOLI
• Time: 6 p.m.
• Location: Bryan Taylor Sports Arena, Tell City H.S. (900 12th St., Tell City)
• Records:
Eastern 18-5. The Musketeers have won their last two games and three of their last four.
Paoli 15-9. The Rams have won three straight
• Coaches:
Eastern — Chandler Prible (30-18 in second season at Eastern)
Paoli — Dusty Cole (158-77 in 10th season at Paoli)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Eastern — No. 153, No. 21 Class 2A
Paoli— No. 219, No. 43 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
Eastern — Defeated Perry Central 47-39 (March 4, Class 2A Tell City Sectional semifinal)
Paoli — Defeated Tell City 60-51 (March 4, Class 2A Tell City Sectional semifinal)
• Sectionals titles (most recent): Eastern 4 (2015); Paoli 25 (2021, second in three years).
• Regular-season result: Did not play.
• Last postseason matchup: March 6, 2021 — Paoli 32, Eastern 31 (Class 2A Paoli Sectional championship game).
• John Harrell prediction: Eastern 57, Paoli 48.
• Sagarin projection: Eastern by 8.
• Outlook: Eastern is the better team. The Musketeers should take the title. Of all the local sectional finals, this is the one I’m most confident about the winner. That said, the Rams are capable of pulling this off beating Eastern in the championship for the second year in a row.
• Greg’s pick: Eastern 57, Paoli 50.
CLASS A BORDEN SECTIONAL
BORDEN VS. CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Location: Borden Junior-Senior H.S. (301 West St., Borden)
• Records:
Borden 15-7. The Braves have won six of their last eight games.
Christian Academy 12-13. The Warriors are on a 3-game winning streak.
• Coaches:
Borden — Doc Nash (219-156 in 16th season at Borden)
Christian Academy — Hayden Casey (21-30 in second season at CAI)
• Rankings:
Borden — No. 16 AP (Class A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Borden — No. 236, No. 30 Class A
Christian Academy— No. 247, No. 34 Class A
• Most recent game:
Borden — Defeated Rock Creek 46-42 (March 4, Class A Borden Sectional semifinal)
Christian Academy — Defeated South Central 43-25 (March 4, Class A Borden Sectional semifinal)
• Sectionals titles (most recent): Borden 4 (2013); CAI 5 (2020).
• Regular-season result: Jan. 29 — At Borden 59, CAI 49.
• Last postseason matchup: March 5, 2021 — Christian Academy 58, Borden 56 (Class A Borden Sectional semifinal).
• John Harrell prediction: Borden by 5.
• Sagarin projection: Borden 56, CAI 52.
• Outlook: All indications are both teams in this familial showdown are about even. I’ll take Borden because the Braves have been a little more consistent and are playing on their home court.
• Greg’s pick: Borden 58, CAI 56.
CLASS A EDINBURGH SECTIONAL
WEST WASHINGTON VS. EDINBURGH
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Location: Edinburgh H.S. (300 S. Keeley, Edinburgh)
• Records:
West Washington 11-13. The Senators have won three consecutive games and five of their last six.
Edinburgh 21-3. The Lancers have won three in a row and six of their last seven.
• Coaches:
West Washington — Clayton Sullivan (50-49 in fourth season at West Washington)
Edinburgh — Keith Witty (72-49 in fifth season at Edinburgh)
• Rankings:
Edinburgh — No. 7 AP (Class A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
West Washington — No. 300, No. 47 Class A
Edinburgh— No. 178, No. 17 Class A
• Most recent game:
West Washington — Defeated Medora 72-39 (March 4, Class A Edinburgh Sectional semifinal)
Edinburgh — Defeated Crothersville 81-46 (March 4, Class A Edinburgh Sectional semifinal)
• Sectionals titles (most recent): West Washington 5 (2019); Edinburgh 6 (2018).
• Regular-season result: Jan. 8 — Edinburgh 46, at West Washington 45 (2OT)
• Last postseason matchup: None.
• John Harrell prediction: Edinburgh 63, West Washignton 46.
• Sagarin projection: Edinburgh by 19.
• Outlook: Edinburgh should win, but don’t be completely stunned if West Washington gets the upset. The Senators are talented and playing well.
• Greg’s pick: Edinburgh 58, West Washington 49.
LOCAL SECTIONALS
CLASS 4A SEYMOUR SECTIONAL
FIRST ROUND
Tuesday, March 1
Jeffersonville 61, Bedford North Lawrence 48
Floyd Central 61, Jennings County 54 (2OT)
SEMIFINALS
Friday, March 4
Jeffersonville 55, Seymour 40
Floyd Central 52, New Albany 39
CHAMPIONSHIP
Saturday, March 5
Jeffersonville (9-11) vs. Floyd Central (19-4), 7:30 p.m.
CLASS 3A SALEM SECTIONAL
FIRST ROUND
Tuesday, March 1
North Harrison 55, Charlestown 41
Wednesday, March 2
Silver Creek 76, Salem 34
Scottsburg 81, Madison 48
SEMIFINALS
Friday, March 4
North Harrison 58, Corydon Central 52
Scottsburg 68, Silver Creek 60 (OT)
CHAMPIONSHIP
Saturday, March 5
North Harrison (18-3) vs. Scottsburg (16-8), 7 p.m.
CLASS 2A SOUTHWESTERN SECTIONAL
FIRST ROUND
Tuesday, March 1
Switzerland County 52, Austin 50
Southwestern 45, Henryville 37
SEMIFINALS
Friday, March 4
Providence 56, Switzerland County 26
Southwestern 57, Clarksville 54
CHAMPIONSHIP
Saturday, March 5
Providence (15-6) vs. Southwestern (17-7), 7 p.m.
CLASS 2A TELL CITY SECTIONAL
FIRST ROUND
Tuesday, March 1
Paoli 42, Crawford County 36
SEMIFINALS
Friday, March 4
Eastern 47, Perry Central 39
Paoli 60, Tell City 51
CHAMPIONSHIP
Saturday, March 5
Eastern (18-5) vs. Paoli (14-10), 6 p.m.
BORDEN SECTIONAL
CLASS A BORDEN SECTIONAL
FIRST ROUND
Tuesday, March 1
Rock Creek 72, New Washington 44
Christian Academy 61, Lanesville 28
SEMIFINALS
Friday, March 4
Borden 46, Rock Creek 42
Christian Academy 43, South Central 25
CHAMPIONSHIP
Saturday, March 5
Borden (15-7) vs. Christian Academy (12-13), 7 p.m.
EDINBURGH SECTIONAL
CLASS A EDINBURGH SECTIONAL
FIRST ROUND
Tuesday, March 1
West Washington 53, Shawe Memorial 38
Edinburgh 57, Trinity Lutheran 38
SEMIFINALS
Friday, March 4
West Washington 72, Medora 39
Edinburgh 81, Crothersville 46
CHAMPIONSHIP
Saturday, March 5
West Washington (11-13) vs. Edinburgh (21-3), 7 p.m.
