JEFFERSONVILLE — The sectional pairings have been set for the 102nd IHSAA state boys’ basketball tournament.

Now, it is my turn to either make people happy, jinx players and teams or just flat out tick some people off with my sectional predictions.

My message to the players and coaches that I will snub — enjoy the bulletin-board material, guys.



CLASS 4A SEYMOUR SECTIONAL

• Pairings: first-round games — New Albany (13-7) vs. Floyd Central (10-12); Jeffersonville (17-3) vs. Seymour (6-14); first-round byes — Bedford North Lawrence (11-9), Jennings County (11-11).

• Analysis: No question, the Red Devils are the favorites to capture the sectional crown at Scott Gym. They have the best record, have played well throughout the season and have the best draw.

Jeff should get past Seymour and will benefit playing on a neutral court against Jennings in the semifinals.

I expect New Albany and Floyd Central to have another nailbiter like they did in their overtime matchup in the regular season, which the Bulldogs won 58-57. But I give New Albany the edge because the Bulldogs seem to have gotten their act together since they lost that debacle at Providence on Feb. 3. Since its 50-20 spanking by the Pioneers, New Albany has won four of the last five games.

As for the Highlanders, they have been up and down all year, so I don’t know what to expect from them.

The Bulldogs should plan on another physical battle with Bedford North Lawrence in the semifinals. But I think they will be motivated to pay back the Stars, who won at The Doghouse on Feb. 17 50-44.

In the championship, I expect New Albany to have the same strategy that it did in its 51-46 loss to Jeff in the regular season. The Bulldogs will not run with the Red Devils and try to keep the score in the 50s.

But in the end, Jeff has too many weapons and New Albany will have a tough time containing each of them.

• Picks: first round — New Albany over Floyd Central, Jeff over Seymour; semifinals — New Albany over Bedford, Jeff over Jennings County; championship — Jeff over New Albany.



CLASS 3A SALEM SECTIONAL

• Pairings: first-round games — Salem (11-9) vs. North Harrison (11-9), Silver Creek (13-7) vs. Brownstown (19-2), Charlestown (10-10) vs. Corydon (11-10); bye — Scottsburg (3-17).

• Analysis: Which area team got the toughest draw in the opening round?

Without a doubt, it’s Silver Creek.

The Dragons will have a much-anticipated rematch with Class 3A No. 5 Brownstown in the first round on Wednesday. On Jan. 13, Silver Creek pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the season, knocking off Brownstown at home 72-63. That victory helped the Dragons share the Mid-Southern Conference title with the Braves and Clarksville.

But on Wednesday, the rematch will be on a neutral floor. And even though, Silver Creek enters the sectional on a six-game winning streak, Brownstown has been playing some good ball, too. Before the Braves got upset at Orleans on Friday, they had won nine in a row.

I’m going with Brownstown, which should be angry after Friday’s loss and will be looking to get some revenge on the Dragons.

The Charlestown-Corydon matchup is a toss-up. Both teams have had similar seasons, as each squad started off slow but have been playing better down the stretch.

The Panthers defeated the Pirates on Feb. 4 at Corydon, 70-54. But I think Charlestown avenges that setback because Kendall Thompson has been playing well all season and the Pirates have Aaron Daniel back.

Even though I think Charlestown will get past Corydon, I think the Pirates’ season will end in the semis against Brownstown. The Braves will then defeat host Salem and Charlestown graduate Hank Weedin, the Lions’ head coach, in the final.

• Picks: first round — Salem over North Harrison, Brownstown over Silver Creek, Charlestown over Corydon; semifinals — Salem over Scottsburg, Brownstown over Charlestown; championship — Brownstown over Salem.



CLASS 2A PAOLI SECTIONAL

• Pairings: first round — Henryville (9-11) vs. Paoli (8-12), Providence (17-3) vs. Eastern (8-12); byes — Clarksville (18-2), Crawford County (18-3).

• Analysis: Henryville is a team I cannot figure out. The Hornets handed Class A No. 3 Borden its only loss of the season, but they lost to mediocre teams like Lanesville, Eastern and West Washington. Plus Henryville is 3-6 in true road games this season and it will have another road affair on Tuesday against host Paoli.

It will be a rough Class 2A debut for the Hornets.

But I hope those Henryville kids do one thing on Tuesday, win or lose — play their butts off for their head coach, Perry Hunter.

Hunter announced last week that he is resigning after the sectional and no one coaches with more passion and loves Indiana high school basketball more than him. Perry will be missed because he is one of the good guys in Southern Indiana high school basketball.

I’m a firm believer that defense wins championships, and no team plays better defense in Indiana than Providence.

The Pioneers are the second-best defensive team in the state, allowing 37.3 points per game. Along with giving superior effort, they also are smart and disciplined on the defensive end of the court.

Therefore, I think Providence will roll past Eastern, setting up a town rivalry matchup with Clarksville in the semis.

I am not taking anything away from the Generals. Head coach Jason Connell has done a fantastic job this season, helping Clarksville post an 18-2 record, collect a piece of the MSC title and reach the top 10 in The Associated Press Class 2A poll.

But since the Generals beat Providence 40-38 on Jan. 6 at Clarksville, the Pioneers have held nine opponents to less than 35 points. Those foes include Crawford County and New Albany.

Sorry, Clarksville fans — but Providence’s defense will be too tough to handle. Plus the rematch will be on a neutral floor this time around.

I expect the Pioneers’ defensive prowess to carry over in the sectional final, as they will upend Crawford County.

• Picks: first round — Paoli over Henryville, Providence over Eastern; semifinals — Crawford County over Paoli, Providence over Clarksville; championship — Providence over Crawford County.



CLASS A BORDEN SECTIONAL

• Pairings: first round — Borden (19-1) vs. Lanesville (8-12), Christian Academy of Indiana (10-10) vs. South Central (5-15); byes — Rock Creek Community Academy (9-12), New Washington (1-20).

• Analysis: After downing Lanesville on Tuesday, sectional favorite Borden should get past defending sectional champion Rock Creek in the semis. The Lions miss sharpshooter Keontez Malone and other key role players from last year’s squad.

I expect Christian Academy to snap out of its late-season slump by defeating South Central in the opening round and New Washington in the semis.

But in the title game, the Warriors’ season will end against another solid Borden team constructed by head coach Doc Nash.

The Braves have a sound leader in senior guard Brandon Beam and execute the fundamentals with great efficiency.

Borden should win the sectional and has an outstanding chance to make a deep run in the Class A state tournament.

• Picks: first round — Borden over Lanesville, CAI over South Central; semifinals — Borden over Rock Creek, CAI over New Washington; championship — Borden over CAI.