By MIKE HUTSELL
If an anticipated rematch between top-10 girls’ basketball powers becomes reality, Jeffersonville and Floyd Central would matchup in the semifinals of the Class 4A Floyd Central Sectional on Friday, Feb. 12.
When the IHSAA announced the official draw for the 2010 tournament on Monday night live from Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, it showed the host Highlanders and the No. 3 Red Devils, who got a first-round bye, paired in the same side of the bracket. Floyd will open the tournament next Tuesday night against Jennings County.
A win would pit Floyd against Jeff (19-1) in a rematch of the Dec. 19 game that the Highlanders won in overtime, 58-57.
“There’s not a lot you can do now. You play the teams that are put in front of you,” said Floyd Central coach Joe Voelker. “We’re not allowing ourselves right now to anticipate anything. We’ve got work to do just to get to that situation.”
The tournament will tip off next Tuesday night with Bedford North Lawrence (13-5) meeting Seymour (14-5) in the opening round with the winner of that contest advancing to play New Albany (9-10) in the first semifinal on the 12th. The championship will be at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 13.
The No. 2 Highlanders (19-0) will face Jennings for the second time in a two-week span in the second game Tuesday. Floyd defeated the Panthers (3-16) last Thursday, 59-44.
Floyd, which is ranked nationally in the USA Today poll, is bringing a heavy load into tournament play, according to Jeffersonville coach Chad Gilbert.
“The bull’s-eye is definitely on Floyd Central,” Gilbert said. “Not only are they a team having a great situation, but they’re playing at home and they’ll be carrying all the expectations going in.
“We’ve been in situations like the one Floyd Central is in before. It’s not easy to coach in or to play in. There are moments when the ball seems a lot bigger and the rim seems a lot smaller.”
Voelker, though, says Jeff — the defending sectional champion — carries a distinct advantage entering tourney play.
“In girls’ basketball, that bye can mean a whole lot,” Voelker said. “Three games in a week is very tough and we’ll be preparing for Jennings because they gave us everything we could want last week.”
CLASS 3A SILVER CREEK SECTIONAL
Host Silver Creek (8-11) will play in the semifinals against either North Harrison (6-12) or Crawford County (8-10).
Charlestown (11-8) will open tourney play a week from Wednesday against Salem (12-6) with the winner of that game playing either Corydon Central (4-13) or Mitchell (2-16) in the semifinal round.
CLASS 2A BROWNSTOWN SECTIONAL
Clarksville (3-15) will play in next Tuesday’s opening-round game against Paoli (16-2) with the winner of that game meeting Providence (6-12) in the semifinal on Friday, Feb. 12.
In the other half of the bracket, Austin (18-2) will meet West Washington (2-16) and Pekin Eastern (11-6) will face the host Braves (16-3) in first-round action on Wednesday, Feb. 10.
CLASS A NEW WASHINGTON SECTIONAL
New Washington (11-7) will open sectional play next Tuesday against Christian Academy of Indiana (6-14) with the winner taking on two-time defending sectional champion South Central (11-8).
A week from Wednesday in the first round, Borden (6-11) will play Henryville (8-12), while Rock Creek Christian (0-17) will battle Lanesville (10-10).
