Here are the IHSAA boys basketball sectional pairings for SW Indiana

Kyle Sokeland and Treasure Washington, Evansville Courier & Press

EVANSVILLE — The first stage of Hoosier Hysteria could be a fun week in Southwestern Indiana.

The boys basketball sectional pairings were announced via the blind draw on Sunday. The state tournament begins in full on February 27 and concludes at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on March 30.

What are the takeaways for teams in the Evansville area? Let’s dive in.

More: How Evansville Christian boys basketball became a potential state championship contender

Sectional 16 should have good matchups every night. Castle vs North and Jasper vs Reitz in the opening rounds is a solid start. No. 14 Harrison and Central drew the semifinal byes. Whoever survives this field may simply be a case of who gets hot at the right time.

The odds of a good draw were low in Sectional 31 considering the depth of the field. What it yielded was still eye-opening. No. 3 Heritage Hills vs No. 16 Princeton is the headliner. Southridge vs North Daviess and Washington vs Pike Central could also be competitive first-round matchups. Get to Princeton next week if you can.

Sectional 32 is more straight forward. Memorial and Bosse, the only current teams with winning records, both drew byes on opposite sides. This sectional usually provides drama, so nothing is guaranteed. A couple of interesting semifinal matchups are possible with this draw.

More: Gibson Southern girls took another step as a program with Class 3A semistate victory

The draw for Sectional 48 sets up well for the only two teams with winning records. North Posey and Forest Park find themselves on opposite sides of the draw. A potential sectional championship rematch from last year.

No. 1 Evansville Christian received a deserved bye in Sectional 64. Interestingly, ECS could see Northeast Dubois in the semifinal. The Jeeps upset the Eagles in the championship last year. The other team to watch is possibly Wood Memorial.

Harrison’s Shane Sims (3) takes a shot over North’s Bryson Chapman (30) as the Harrison Warriors play the North Huskies Friday, Jan. 5, 2024.
Harrison’s Shane Sims (3) takes a shot over North’s Bryson Chapman (30) as the Harrison Warriors play the North Huskies Friday, Jan. 5, 2024.

Top first round matchups

Castle vs North (4A): This will be the seventh postseason meeting in nine years between the Southern Indiana Athletic Conference rivals. A win results in a positive boost ahead of a semifinal against Harrison.

Jasper vs Reitz (4A): Quite possibly the most underrated matchup in the area. Two different teams but both capable of making the championship game. This is another rematch from last year’s final.

Heritage Hills vs Princeton (3A): Consider this exhibit A for anyone clamoring to burn the blind draw. The Patriots and Tigers have been among the best in the area, let alone this sectional, for much of the season. They’ll play on Tuesday to decide the Pocket Athletic Conference title.

Southridge vs North Daviess (3A): The 14-win Cougars have been a surprise after graduating almost its entire varsity roster from the past two years. The 14-win Raiders are also in a good spot, which includes a recent victory at Heritage Hills, in year one under Ryan Haywood.

Mount Vernon vs Gibson Southern (3A): The Wildcats are flying under the radar and could have a winning record by sectional. The Titans, led by high-scoring guard Brodey Lamb, are always competitive in March under Mark Rohrer.

Evansville Christian’s Santanna Williams (24) steals from Princeton’s Jaylin Price (11) as the Evansville Christian Eagles play the Princeton Tigers in the Bosse Winter Classic at Bosse high School Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023.
Evansville Christian’s Santanna Williams (24) steals from Princeton’s Jaylin Price (11) as the Evansville Christian Eagles play the Princeton Tigers in the Bosse Winter Classic at Bosse high School Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023.

IHSAA boys basketball sectional pairings

Class 4A at North

Game 1: Castle (11-8) vs. North (11-10)

Game 2: Jasper (12-9) vs. Reitz (8-10)

Game 3: Harrison (17-4) vs. Game 1 winner

Game 4: Central (6-13) vs. Game 2 winner

Game 5: Championship

Class 3A at Princeton

Game 1: Southridge (14-6) vs. North Daviess (14-8)

Game 2: Pike Central (11-11) vs. Washington (12-8)

Game 3: Heritage Hills (18-4) vs. Princeton (15-6)

Game 4: Vincennes Lincoln (10-12) vs. Game 1 winner

Game 5: Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner

Game 6: Championship

Class 3A at Boonville

Game 1: Mater Dei (8-13) vs. Boonville (5-16)

Game 2: Mount Vernon (11-11) vs. Gibson Southern (8-13)

Game 3: Memorial (14-5) vs. Game 1 winner

Game 4: Bosse (11-10) vs. Game 2 winner

Game 5: Championship

Class 2A at Paoli

Game 1: Sullivan (17-4) vs. Paoli (15-5)

Game 2: South Knox (8-12) vs. Mitchell (11-10)

Game 3: Eastern Greene (4-16) vs. North Knox (7-13)

Game 4: Linton-Stockton (16-4) vs. Game 1 winner

Game 5: Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner

Game 6: Championship

Class 2A at Forest Park

Game 1: Forest Park (14-8) vs. Tell City (2-20)

Game 2: South Spencer (5-16) vs. North Posey (16-4)

Game 3: Crawford County (5-16) vs. Game 1 winner

Game 4: Perry Central (6-15) vs. Game 2 winner

Game 5: Championship

Class 1A at Loogootee

Game 1: Shoals (9-12) vs. Orleans (19-2)

Game 2: Washington Catholic (1-18) vs. Barr-Reeve (18-2)

Game 3: Springs Valley (13-8) vs. Loogootee (13-7)

Game 4: Vincennes Rivet (5-14) vs. Game 1 winner

Game 5: Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner

Game 6: Championship

Class 1A at Tecumseh

Game 1: Cannelton (1-19) vs. Northeast Dubois (11-10)

Game 2: Tecumseh (5-15) vs. Wood Memorial (11-9)

Game 3: Evansville Christian (20-2) vs. Game 1 winner

Game 4: Day School (6-15) vs. Game 2 winner

Game 5: Championship

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: IHSAA boys basketball sectional pairings for SW Indiana

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