The four area high school girls’ basketball teams learned their state tournament path on Sunday evening during the Indiana High School Athletic Association’s draw for the upcoming 46th annual state tourney that starts next week.
Fortunately, for Crawfordsville, Fountain Central, North Montgomery, and Southmont — all four teams at this moment will be eligible for the tournament. The Athenians will return from a COVID-19 pause just in time for their first round matchup.
3A Sectional No. 25
Crawfordsville and North Montgomery will play in the Class 3A Sectional No. 25 at Tri-West.
The Athenians (5-10) will open with Danville (9-10) in the second of two quarterfinal games on Wednesday, Feb. 3.
In the regular season the Warriors beat Crawfordsville 75-13 back in late November, but the Athenians were not at full strength. Overall, Crawfordsville owns a 1-2 record against sectional opponents, beating Monrovia 60-45 on Jan. 16.
The winner of Crawfordsville and Danville will play the winner of Greencastle (9-9) and Tri-West (12-6), who will play in the first quarterfinal on Wednesday, Feb. 3. The two teams did not meet in the regular season.
North Montgomery (3-12) received the bye and will play the winner of Frankfort (2-15) and Monrovia (7-9) in the first semifinal on Friday, Feb. 5.
The Chargers own an overall record of 1-3 against the sectional field, beating Frankfort 47-39 on Jan. 18. North Montgomery has losses to Danville, Greencastle, and Tri-West. Monrovia and Frankfort did not meet in the regular season.
Danville is the defending champion of the sectional. The Warriors have won four sectional titles in a row, and five of the last six. Tri-West, who on paper is the sectional favorite, last won a title in 2014. The Bruins beat the Warriors 56-49 in the regular season. Crawfordsville last won a sectional title in 2009, while North Montgomery, who has never won a Class 3A sectional title, last won a Class 2A title in 2007.
Game times for this sectional are to be announced.
2A Sectional No. 44
Southmont will play in the Class 2A Sectional No. 44 at South Putnam.
The Mounties (11-3) received the bye and will play the winner of Riverton Parke (3-13) and South Putnam (11-1) in the second of two semifinals on Friday, Feb. 5. Southmont owns a 2-0 record against sectional opponents, beating Riverton Parke 56-31 on Jan. 5 and North Putnam 76-63 in late November.
On the other side of the bracket, the Cougars (9-11) received the bye and will play the winner of Parke Heritage (11-6) and Cloverdale (3-17).
The Eagles, who are ranked No. 7 in Class 2A, are 5-0 against sectional opponents and are the favorite on paper. South Putnam beat Cloverdale 71-31, North Putnam 86-42 and 80-45, Parke Heritage 61-32, and Riverton Parke 84-30.
Southmont’s regular season games against Parke Heritage and South Putnam were both canceled.
South Putnam is the defending sectional champion. The Eagles have won three sectional titles in the last four years. Southmont last won a sectional title in 2014.
Game times for this sectional are to be announced.
2A Sectional No. 38
Fountain Central will host the loaded Class 2A Sectional No. 38.
The Mustangs (11-6) will play Seeger (13-2) in the second quarterfinal game on Tuesday, Feb. 2. The Patriots have a pair of wins over Fountain Central, defeating the Mustangs 61-22 on Dec. 12, and 51-39 on Dec. 30. Overall, Fountain Central is 0-3 against sectional opponents, losing to Clinton Prairie 58-28 in early December.
The Fountain Central/Seeger winner will play Sheridan (9-3) in the second semifinal on Friday. Feb. 5. On the other side of the bracket, Clinton Prairie (16-2) awaits the winner of Rossville (5-13) and Central Catholic (12-2).
The Gophers are a perfect 4-0 against sectional opponents, and own wins over Fountain Central, Rossville (54-30), Seeger (38-30) and Sheridan (53-22). Central Catholic, who is ranked No. 4 and was last year’s sectional winner, has not played a sectional opponent this season. The Knights have won three-straight sectional titles. Clinton Prairie, who is ranked No. 6, last won a sectional title in 2005, while Fountain Central last cut the nets in 2015.
Game times for this sectional are to be announced.
