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The slates will be wiped clean when tournament time rolls around. But that doesn't mean everything teams have done up to that point won't matter. While some bright jewels seem to be fading with season's end, some less-than-gleaming gems have been polishing up their act late in the season. In the first of four articles in a series, we cover the 4A teams that could prove to be spoilers for the sectional favorites.
Sectional 1 - Lake Central Former Lake Central great Leslie (Rossa) Iwema experienced the Indians program in its heyday, when Iwema, Kristina Divjak, Denise Szany and Jessica Mitchuson brought home a state championship during a blinding snowstorm in 1994. She also watched as Kelly Komara, Kelly Kuhn and Lori Moore carried on the winning tradition of the LC program under head coach Tom Megyesi in the years that followed. So when Iwema picked up the lead reins for the
Sectional 7 - Lafayette Jeff Head coach and Hall of Famer Jan Conner is an experienced warrior in IHSAA tournament battles and she completely understands the value of a strong finish. After a 5-7 start through the first half of the season, Conner has the Bronchos turning things around with a 5-2 record since the first of the new year. One of those two losses was a one-point heartbreaker to Hamilton Southeastern on the road just last week. But being in it at the end against a quality opponent like the Royals is good stuff. The question is whether or not the Bronchos can put together the perfect game against sectional favorite Kokomo (13-5), who handled Jeff in a 16-point victory earlier this month. A lot will depend on how Jeff finishes out their regular slate, which includes Noblesville and Clinton Prairie, both with losing records. If the Broncs play down to their opponents' level or prove to themselves that they can dominate will carry a lot of meaning into the sectional schedule.
Sectional 8 - Greenfield-Central and Pendleton Heights If either Donna Keck's Cougars of Greenfield-Central or Shari Doud's Arabians of Pendleton Heights have anything to say about it, Sectional 8 is definitely not a lock for favorite Connersville (17-2). Entering late December with a 7-4 record, an overtime consolation win against Huntington North in the Hall of Fame Classic seemed to be the turning point for Greenfield-Central, with only a loss to 2A power Heritage Christian putting a blemish on their last eight games. The Cougars will finish with games against 3A Muncie South (2-16) and 1A Morristown (5-12), which should have them rolling right into Sectional 8. Pendleton Heights, after a 4-3 start, has racked up 10 wins in their past 12 games, with one of those victories a solid 57-45 win over Greenfield-Central back in early December. The Arabians are 3-2 against sectional opponents, including a stunning 62-31 loss to sectional upstart Anderson in early November. But today's Arabians are not the Arabians of November, and with two probable wins against 3A New Palestine (7-11) and 2A Elwood (6-12) Pendleton Heights will be riding high in the saddle come February. Connersville better hope that these two teams with momentum are on the opposite side of the bracket.
Sectional 10 - Indianapolis Arlington After a 4-6 start, the Golden Knights are threatening to spoil the party in Sectional 10 for several teams who might consider themselves strong contenders for a sectional championship. Lawrence North (15-3), North Central (13-4) and up-and-down Cathedral (10-9) are probably considered the frontrunners, but head coach Stephanie Keller has her team showing their winning ways with seven victories in their last nine outings. One of those losses was to 2A Heritage Christian (89-47) and the other to sectional foe Cathedral by one point. Home court advantage could go a long way for the Knights and all three sectional front-runners will be hoping to avoid a first-round matchup with Arlington. The Knights finish with 1-17 Manual next week, which should provide them an opportunity to fine-tune a few things before sectional play.
Sectional 11 - Perry Meridian Sectional 11 has five teams with similar records entering the tournament season, but Franklin (13-6) and Greenwood (12-7) carry bragging rights as the top two at the current moment. However, who can deny the string of seven straight wins that Perry Meridian has put together since late December? After a bleak 4-6 start, head coach Mike Armstrong and his Falcons are feeling good about their chances in this sectional. Wins over tough Bloomington South (14-3) tonight and Roncalli (9-8) next week, would have the Falcons riding a wave of success that no one else in this sectional could match.
Sectional 12 - Avon Can anyone really be Giant killers in this sectional? Ben Davis, with only one loss this season, is considered the all-out favorite in Sectional 12, as well as in the southern half of the state bracket. But then there is quietly improving 12-7 Avon, who will be hosting the sectional for the first time since 2003. Head coach Steve Drabyn endured some rocky games with his Orioles early in the season, including a triple-overtime loss to Brownsburg in the Hendricks County Tournament last November. Avon was 6-5 before gaining a consolation win in the Decatur Central tournament at the end of December. Since then, the Orioles have picked up six wins in their last eight outings, including a payback win over Brownsburg. But can home court advantage really give Avon a chance against the Giants? Didn't seem to make a difference last week when Ben Davis invaded the nest and hatched a 29-point win over the Orioles. Avon will have to put together its best game of the year to have a chance.
Sectional 14 - Columbus East The teams in this sectional are somewhat neck and neck, but Columbus East is putting its best stuff together toward the finish line. Head coach Danny Brown was probably glad to see Baby New Year in January, because after a 6-1 start, the Olympians dropped four games during a one month stretch. Since the second week in the new year, however, East has racked up five straight wins, including a huge five-point victory over sectional favorite Bloomington South (14-3). Games against tough Southwestern (Hanover) and Floyd Central complete the regular season for the Olympians, but running the table heading into the sectional schedule could go a long way for Columbus East on its home court come tournament time.
Sectional 15 - Good question... Seymour? With all six teams in this sectional holding winning records, perhaps the title of dark horse doesn't apply to any one of them. But Beth DeVinney's 14-3 Seymour Owls might be considered the team with the most momentum. Seymour is 10-1 since early December, with only an 11-point loss to sectional opponent Jeffersonville (14-5) this month. A big game against sectional leader Bedford North Lawrence (13-4) looms at the end of the month and could make or break the Owls' confidence heading into sectional competition.
Other 4A teams riding the sectional dark horse with momentum:
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