Cougars fall to PH

Greenfield-Central dropped its sectional opener tonight to the Pendleton Heights Arabians by a 41-16 score.

The Arabians jumped out early, leading 10-2 after a quarter, with a late 3 being the shot that pushed the lead up. PH built that lead despite leading scorer and Butler recruit Kellen Dunham being held scoreless for the first eight minutes. The second quarter was an even one -- PH's lead was 21-10 -- but the Arabians pulled away in the third. Dunham hit two 3s, including one at the buzzer -- as the Arabians had a 14-2 edge in the period. PH outscored the Cougars 20-6 after halftime.

Dunham led all scorers with 14 points -- six in the second and eight in the third. Ryan Albers was also in double-figures for PH, which hit nearly 60 percent of its shots. Jordan Keener led the Cougars with nine points, and was the only G-C player to score more than two.

G-C finishes its season with a 9-12 mark -- its best season and most wins since the 2003-04 season. The Cougars graduated a handful of seniors -- including leading scorer Josh Mayes and a strong inside player in Jordan Conley -- but coach Josh Johnson and his crew has a lot coming back.

PH (17-5) will advance to play Connersville, which beat Anderson in OT tonight, in Friday's second semi. The first semi will pit host New Castle against Richmond.

Eastern Hancock improved to 18-3 with a 63-33 sectional-opening win over Cambridge City Lincoln (2-19) at Hagerstown. The Royals next meet Centerville, which beat Knightstown 46-34 earlier this year, in Friday's 7:30 p.m. semifinal at Hagerstown. Friday's first game will feature Shenandoah and Union County. EH beat Centerville 55-51 in the season opener waaaay back in November.

Here's our broadcast schedule for Friday night, from New Palestine:
5:35 p.m.: Pregame show
6 p.m.: New Palestine (9-11) vs. #4 Hamilton Heights (17-4)
7:30 p.m.: Mt. Vernon (7-13) vs. Shelbyville (14-7)
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN LIVE!

We will be trying to get updates from the Eastern Hancock game and will follow the Royals' efforts live on our broadcast during the second game.

Here is the schedule from Hagerstown
6 p.m.: Union County (16-5) vs. Shenandoah (15-8)
7:30 p.m.: Centerville (15-6) vs. Eastern Hancock (18-3)

Championship games will be at 7:30 p.m. Saturday night. If a Hancock County team is playing, we will be broadcasting! If either NP or MV win and EH wins, we'll be at NP and provide updates from the Royals' game. If the Royals win and both the Marauders and Dragons fall on Friday, we'll be broadcasting the Royals' sectional championship game from Hagerstown on Saturday night.