INDIANAPOLIS — The last time the Mt. Vernon boys basketball team played Connersville, the visiting Spartans needed four overtimes to squeak by with an 88-85 road victory.
The Marauders will get another crack at the 14th-ranked Spartans on Tuesday, Feb. 28, as they look to settle the score on neutral ground when they open the Class 4A Sectional tournament at New Castle Fieldhouse.
The rematch was set on Sunday night as sectional pairings for 399 teams from across the state were determined through a blind draw conducted by the Indiana High School Athletic Association in Indianapolis.
Mt. Vernon (12-8), which is riding a three-game winning streak, will face Connersville (22-1) at 6 p.m. in the first round, while Greenfield-Central (11-11) will play Pendleton Heights (17-5) in the evening’s second game at 7:30 p.m.
The winner between Mt. Vernon and Connersville will advance into the first semifinal game at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 3, against Richmond (2-21), which drew the bye along with New Castle.
The host Trojans (15-5) will welcome the winner between Greenfield-Central and Pendleton Heights in the second semifinal game on March 3 at 7:30 p.m. The championship game is Saturday, March 4 at 7:30 p.m.
In Class 3A, New Palestine (5-16) kicks off Sectional 27 at Brebeuf Jesuit on Feb. 28 against Indianapolis Marshall (6-11), a team the Dragons defeated 74-44 on Jan. 7.
The winner will move on to the first semifinal game on March 3 at 6 p.m. against Bishop Chatard (2-18). The championship game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on March 4.
Class 2A Eastern Hancock (12-8) drew Irvington Preparatory Academy (17-3) at 6 p.m. in the first round of Sectional 42 at Triton Central on Feb. 28
The winner will play in the first semifinal game on March 3 at 6 p.m. against Shenandoah (16-4), which received the bye along with Knightstown.
The championship game is March 4 at 7:30 p.m.
Admission is set at $6 per session and $10 for all sessions.
