Their record may not show it, but the Fountain Central girls’ basketball team are playing their best basketball of the season as the sectional draws near.
The Mustangs enter the sectional at 5-17, but won their last regular season game 61-48 over Riverton Parke.
The 61-point effort was their second highest point total of the season, and are averaging 44 points per game since Jan. 7.
“Just like all season, we play hard,” Fountain Central coach Tom Anderson said. “The difference is, we have it figured out. We have been compettive and have a don’t quit attitude.”
Fountain Central will compete in the very competitive Class 2A Sectional at Sheridan, and received the bye to the second semi-final on Friday night at 7:30 p.m.
They await the winner of 8-13 Sheridan and 19-3 Seeger.
The Patriots beat the Mustangs twice during the regular season — 58-13 on Dec. 10 and 65-18 on Jan. 3.
Dakota Borman leads the Mustangs with 14.9 points per game, while Gracie Foxworthy adds seven a contest.
Anderson realizes the Mustangs are familiar with Seeger, their likely opponent, and knows it will be a tough task to knock the Wabash River Conference champions off.
“We are very familiar with a team like Seeger,” he said. “We just need to recognize the shooters and do a better job with our help-side defense. We need to improve on our communication.”
A better offensive attack than the first two meetings will be key for the Mustangs as well.
“Moving the ball and attacking,” Anderson added. “Our guards need to be aggresive and attack.”
On the other side of the bracket, Clinton Prairie (19-3) opens against Central Catholic (16-7), with 11-11 Rossville waiting in the first semi-final.
The two quarterfinal games will take place at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
In the regular season, Central Catholic defeated Clinton Prairie 45-40, while Clinton Prairie beat Seeger 38-34.
Clinton Prairie also defeated the Gophers 65-16 to start the regular season.
