Andy Amey: Last weekend could still provide some drama
Feb. 22—It's the last weekend of regular-season high school basketball in Indiana (and the second and third of three straight nights of excitement for Terre Haute South's Braves).
With sectionals starting four days from now for approximately half the teams in the state, is there anything left to play for? And how about those Illinois tournaments? You have questions, we pretend to have the answers.
I had to fudge a little to get a top 10.
—10. Teutopolis at Newton — Would you prefer chocolate or peanut butter? The Eagles should win this Class 2A regional, just to reward the school for hosting tournament games almost every night this week (girls on Tuesday and Thursday, boys on Wednesday and Friday).
—9. Dugger Union at Evansville Day — A pre-sectional tuneup for the Bulldogs, who get to play Bloomfield for the first time in 10 seasons next week.
—8. Shakamak at Owen Valley — The Lakers have had a good season. Exactly how good will be determined next week.
—7. Seeger at North Vermillion — Any list of Coach-of-the-Year candidates has to include Cody Wright of the Falcons.
—6. Linton at North Central — The Miners expect to wrap up at second straight unbeaten season in the SouthWestern Indiana Athletic Conference, but the T-Birds might have something to say about that.
—5. Clay City at Riverton Parke — The Eels, playing for the second night in a row (as are the Panthers) are looking to have their most victories since 2015, then would like to fry considerably bigger fish starting next week.
The Panthers face a ranked team in this game and one that should be ranked in their next one.
—4. Tuscola at Casey — If the Warriors are healthy (and they haven't been often this season) this Class A regional final could be a great game. The first meeting between the two was, as I recall.
—3. Robinson vs. Flora at Vandalia — Mack Thompson's Maroons are apparently playing the best they have all season, and maybe he's not quite ready to leave the sidelines until Robinson wins a Class 2A regional once more.
—2. Terre Haute North at Evansville North — The Patriots did win this matchup of the Norths last season, but they haven't won at Darmstadt since this series began in 2019, including a five-overtime battle four years ago. Braden Walters' Linton team also lost at Evansville North in 2022 (in a measly one overtime), so there's plenty of incentive to go around.
—1. Terre Haute South at Parke Heritage, Columbus North at Terre Haute South on Saturday — Fortunately for the Braves, they don't have a sectional game on Tuesday and will have plenty of time to rest up for the sectional. For the Wolves, another text against a bigger opponent as they look toward the postseason.
For me? Another look at the Wabash Valley's best high school basketball pressbox.
Friday
Terre Haute South (11-10 or 10-11) at Parke Heritage (18-5), 7:30 p.m.
Terre Haute North (20-3) at Evansville North (11-11), 8 p.m., 7 p.m. CST
Clay City (17-5) at Riverton Parke (3-19), 7:30 p.m.
Linton (17-4, 6-0) at North Central (10-11, 2-4), 7:30 p.m.
Shakamak (12-9) at Owen Valley (7-14), 7:30 p.m.
Seeger (13-8, 4-2) at North Vermillion (13-9, 3-3), 7:30 p.m.
Dugger Union (5-15) at Evansville Day (7-15), 6 p.m., 5 p.m. CST
Tuscola (27-5) at Casey (16-14) in Class A Casey Regional, 8 p.m., 7 p.m. CST
Robinson (11-19) vs. Flora (18-13) at Class 2A Vandalia Regional, 7 p.m., 6 p.m. CST
Teutopolis (21-10) vs. Newton (21-10) at Class 2A Newton Regional, 8 p.m., 7 p.m. CST
Saturday
Columbus North (7-13 or 6-14, 0-4) at Terre Haute South (1-3 Conference Indiana), 5:30 p.m.
I I I
—Golf notice — Golfers 55 and older are welcome and encouraged to join the Mark's Par 3 Monday Men's Senior League. Persons interested are invited to contact Kevin Stepp at 812-786-6598 or at kevinstepp1960@gmal.com.
Andy Amey can be reached after 4 p.m. at 812-231-4276 or 812-231-4277; by email at andy.amey@tribstar.com; or by mail at P.O. Box 149, Terre Haute, IN 47808. Follow TribStarAndy on the X.
