By GREG MENGELT

HANOVER — Isaac Hibbard had 25 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and two steals to help Hanover edge Mount St. Joseph 73-67 in Sunday’s Heartland Conference Tournament quarterfinal at John Collier Arena.

The former New Albany star went 10 for 20 from the field and made three of his six 3-point attempts as the 20-4 Panthers advance to the semifinal round Friday against Transylvania (16-8). The Pioneers defeated Anderson 66-65 in its quarterfinal Sunday. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Collier Arena.

The HCAC regular-season champion Panthers have won five of their last six games. The one loss came against Transylvania, 86-81 own Feb. 15.

Sophomore guard Max Greenamoyer (Zionsville/University) added 19 points and six rebounds and junior forward Ty Houston (Union, Ky./Cooper) finished with 18 points and 10 boards for Hanover, which went 3-0 against the Lions this season.

Senior Devin Young, who leads Mount St. Joseph in every statistical category, gave the Lions a 66-64 lead with a jumper with 3:11 left. Greenamoyer scored five straight Panther points and Houston’s layup with 26 seconds left sealed the victory.

Young (Crestwood, Ky./South Oldham) finished with 27 points, eight rebounds and five steals as the Lions season ends at 10-15.

By GREG MENGELT

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Josh Jefferson and the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders won their sixth straight game and moved 2 1/2 games ahead of second-place Western Kentucky in Conference USA’s East Division with a 77-59 blowout win over UTEP on Monday at the Murphy Center.

Jefferson, a senior guard, who has twice set his season high scoring total during the winning streak, finished with 14 points, five rebounds and three assists in Monday’s victory. He went 6 for 10 from the field and 2 for 5 from behind the 3-point line.

Senior guard Donavan Sims went 7 for 10 from the field and was perfect in three attempts from deep and led the Blue Raiders with 17 points. Sophomore guard Camryn Weston finished with 12 points off the Middle Tennessee bench.

The win is the Raiders’ 20th of the season. They’re now 20-7 overall and 11-3 in Conference USA.

UTEP (16-11, 9-6) was led by junior guard Souley Boum, who had game highs of 24 points, nine rebounds and three steals.

Jefferson and the Raiders can clinch one of Conference USA’s top seeds with a win Saturday at home against Western Kentucky (17-11, 9-6). That game will air on ESPN Plus.

By GREG MENGELT

The IHSAA had its draw for the 2022 boys’ basketball postseason, which begins March 1 with sectional quarterfinals, on Sunday for 64 sectionals across the state.

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

By GREG MENGELT

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Josh Jefferson continued his hot shooting and helped lead Middle Tennessee to an 87-79 win at Florida Atlantic on Saturday.

Jefferson, who’s the Blue Raiders leading scorer at 14.6 points per game, went 7 for 11 from the field and finished with a game-high 26 points. He made three of his four 3-point attempts and was 9 for 14 at the free throw line. He also had three rebounds and two assists as Middle Tennessee improved to 19-7 overall and 10-3 in Conference USA.

The Raiders, who’ve won six straight, are now two games ahead of second-place Western Kentucky (17-11, 9-6) in the East division of Conference USA. Jefferson, a senior, has scored in double figures in those six games. He’s averaging almost 21 points per game during that stretch.

Sophomore guard Eli Lawrence and junior Deandre Dishman scored 14 apiece for Middle Tennessee. Florida Atlantic (15-12, 8-6) was led by freshman guard Alijah Martin, who finished with 22 points and six rebounds.

Jefferson and the Raiders host Marshall (10-17, 3-11) and star guard Taevion Kinsey on Thursday. Tipoff is schedule for 7 p.m. and the game can be seen on ESPN Plus.

By GREG MENGELT

LARAMIE, Wyo. — Former Floyd Central star Jake Heidbreder had 11 points and four rebounds but it wasn’t enough as his Air Force Falcons were beaten 75-67 at Wyoming on Saturday at Arena Auditorium.

The Wyoming duo of senior guard Hector Maldonado and sophomore forwards Graham Ike combined for 56 points to hand the Falcons their seventh straight defeat. Maldonado finished with 29 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, while Ike was 11 for 11 from the floor and had 27 points and 12 boards. The Cowboys are 22-4 and 11-2 in the Mountain West Conference, a half-game behind first-place Boise State.

Heidbreder, an Air Force freshman, was 4 for 7 from the field. He made one of his three 3-point attempts and both of his free throws. Classmate Lucas Moerman led Air Force (10-15, 3-1 MWC) with 15 points and six rebounds. Senior guard A.J. Walker scored 14.

Heidbreder and the Falcons host Fresno State (16-10, 6-7) and junior star Orlando Robinson on Tuesday. Tipoff is scheduled for 9 p.m.

By GREG MENGELT

OAKLAND CITY — Poor shooting cost IU Southeast a chance for a win in its regular-season finale. The Grenadiers made just 22 of their 60 field goal attempts in a 55-53 home loss to Oakland City on Saturday.

IU Southeast (14-16, 11-7 RSC) led 30-26 at halftime but scored just 23 points in the second half.

Junior guard Glenn Hill Jr. (Louisville/Southern) was standout for the Grenadiers, who have lost their last two games on the heels of an 8-game winning streak. Hill went 7 for 10 from the field and had a team-best 18 points. The rest of the team was a combined 15 of 50 (30 percent).

Sophomore guard Ahmad Price (Louisville/Valley) added 12 points, six rebounds, two steals, two blocks and an assist in the loss. The Mighty Oaks (13-17, 10-8) were led by junior guard D.J. Redding (Evansville/North), who had 12 points and nine rebounds.

IU Southeast will participate in the RSC Tournament beginning Wednesday. The tourney schedule has not yet been released.