After nearly three months of regular-season play, the postseason is almost here.
The IHSAA boys sectional pairings were announced Sunday afternoon, highlighted by a Class 3A quarterfinal clash between Central and Delta in the Central Sectional at Muncie Fieldhouse. The postseason kicks off March 3.
With teams in each sectional already set, coaches such as Central’s Jeff Holloway had already identified the favorites, so matchups didn’t particularly matter. As Holloway pointed out, teams that hope to reach a regional will have to get through the best teams eventually — whether it’s in the quarterfinal, semifinals or final.
“With us, it didn’t matter who we drew,” Holloway said by phone Sunday evening. “I think Hamilton Heights and Yorktown are the two favorites in our sectional, and you’ll have to play them anyway.
“Delta is playing better, too. It didn’t matter who we’re playing, you have to play good teams.”
Yorktown (16-5) got the favorable draw as it is matched up with Blackford (0-22) in one semifinal. The winner of Central (9-11) and Delta (7-15) will meet Hamilton Heights (16-7) in the other semifinal. Hamilton Heights hasn’t squared off against any local teams.
Central defeated Delta 72-61 on Dec. 20, but Holloway, in his first season at Central, doesn’t put too much stock into that game since it was so long ago — especially considering Delta center Matt Norris didn’t play because he was suspended.
“Delta is playing better basketball,” Holloway said. “I remember they play hard and have a couple good guards who can shoot it. Matt Norris didn’t play, and he gives them added size, so it’ll be a different game. We’ll have to prepare a little differently.”
The Bearcats have won two of the last three sectionals, taking down Yorktown in the final last season. Hamilton Heights won the title two years ago.
Central is hoping its challenging schedule has it prepared for the postseason. The Bearcats have lost their last four games, and they could close the season with a fifth straight loss as they play at Frankton (20-1) on Tuesday night. The Eagles are ranked third in Class 2A.
The Bearcats are paced by junior guard Phillip Corthen III, the team’s leading scorer, and junior forward Andre Jones.
Delta has lost five of six, though it hosts Blackford on Friday. Despite Delta’s recent struggles, Holloway isn’t discounting the Eagles.
“Anyone can win one game, so throw the records out,” he said. “I know it’s cliché, but you play that game and throw the rest out. There’s no tomorrow if you lose that game.”
Yorktown used its typically stingy defense to beat Blackford 50-26 on Jan. 10, one of seven times the Tigers have held an opponent below 30 points this season.
In Class 2A, Wapahani (12-7) and Burris (7-13) will meet again in the Lapel Sectional. The Raiders won the first battle, 67-45 on Jan. 31. The winner advances to the semifinals to face Frankton, which defeated Wapahani by 28 on Dec. 23. Winchester (12-9) will look to beat Shenandoah for a second time this season in the other quarterfinal.
Monroe Central (11-10) got a bye into the semifinals of its own Class A sectional and will face either Cowan (7-11) or Southern Wells (3-17). Liberty Christian (17-3) is the favorite and plays Wes-Del in the quarterfinals and could see Daleville (3-17) in the semifinals.
Also in Class A, all that stands between host Blue River (10-11) and a trip to the final is two 3-16 teams: Randolph Southern in the quarterfinals and Union in the semifinals.
Jay County (16-6) takes on host Fort Wayne Wayne (3-16) in a 4A sectional, with a possible clash against Homestead (20-2) in the final.
New Castle (8-10) got a challenging draw in its 4A sectional at New Castle Fieldhouse as it will face Richmond (19-3) in the quarterfinals.
Contact high school sports features reporter Ryan O’Gara at (765) 213-5929. Follow him on Twitter @RyanOGaraTSP.