Sectional pairings

Pairings have been announced for the IHSAA boys basketball sectionals.

Greenfield-Central has a rematch with HHC co-champ Pendleton Heights in the opening round of the sectional on March 2. PH won the regular-season meeting. Mt. Vernon and New Palestine both drew byes in their sectional. Host NP will play Hamilton Heights at 6 p.m. Friday, March 4, with MV to play either Rushville or Shelbyville in the following game. Eastern Hancock drew Cambridge City Lincoln -- a team it beat handily in December -- in the opening game Wednesday, March 2. Should the Royals win, they will face either Knightstown or Centerville -- two of the favorites -- in the Friday semifinal.

All championship games at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 5
Class 4A at New Castle
Tuesday, March 1
7 p.m.: Muncie Central (13-6) vs. Richmond (16-5)
Wednesday, March 2
6 p.m.: Anderson (3-15) vs. Connersville (7-14)
7:30 p.m.: Greenfield-Central (8-10) vs. Pendleton Heights (15-4)
Friday, March 4
6 p.m.: New Castle (13-5) vs. Muncie/Richmond winner
7:30 p.m.: Wednesday winners
Defending champ: New Castle
Winner goes to: Marion regional, will face Carroll (Allen) sectional winner (DeKalb, East Noble, Carroll (Allen), FW Northrop, FW Snider) in 11:30 a.m. semifinal. Northrop (14-5) & Snider (13-5) are the favorites.

Class 3A at New Palestine
Tuesday, March 1
7 p.m.: #6 Rushville (17-2)vs. Shelbyville (12-6)
Friday, March 4
6 p.m.: New Palestine (8-9) vs. #9 Hamilton Heights (16-4)
7:30 p.m.: Mt. Vernon (5-13) vs. Rushville/Shelbyville winner
Defending champ: Mt. Vernon
Winner goes to: Shelbyville regional, will face Madison sectional winner (Batesville, Franklin County, Madison, South Dearborn, Greensburg, Scottsburg) in 10 a.m. semifinal. South Dearborn, Greensburg, Batesville all have 12+ wins.

Class 2A at Hagerstown
Tuesday, March 1
6 p.m.: Union County (13-5) vs. Hagerstown (7-13)
7:30 p.m.: Northeastern (11-9) vs. Shenandoah (13-7)
Wednesday, March 2
6 p.m.: Knightstown (9-9) vs. Centerville (13-5)
7:30 p.m.: Eastern Hancock (15-3) vs. Cambridge City Lincoln (2-16)
Defending champ: Centerville
Winner goes to: Connersville regional, will face Triton Central sectional winner (Ritter, Washington, Scecina, Indian Creek, Heritage Christian, #5 Park Tudor, Marshall, Herron, Triton Central). in 10 a.m. semifinal. Park Tudor (17-2, defending state runner-up) is the clear favorite.

The last time a county school won a sectional title:
Eastern Hancock: 2008 (Class 2A). Has won 2 class era sectionals (2003, 2008), 5 overall (1968, 1974, 1981). Has won 1 regional (2003, 2A).
Greenfield-Central: 1998 (Class 3A). Has won 1 class era sectional, 7 overall (1973, 1977, 1982, 1984, 1988, 1993).
Mt. Vernon: 2010 (Class 3A). Has won 2 class era sectionals (1999), 11 overall (1966, 1975, 1983, 1985-87, 1990-92). Has won 2 regionals (1987, 1991).
New Palestine: 2009 (Class 3A). Has won 1 class era sectional, 5 overall (1957, 1980, 1989, 1997).