For the first time since Columbus North resumed hosting a girls basketball regional on a rotating basis in 2014, a local team will not be among the entrants.
The host Bull Dogs were involved in 2014 and 2016, winning the regional title on their home floor on their way to a second consecutive Class 4A state finals appearance in 2016. Then in 2018, Columbus East played in the North Regional.
Saturday, however, four teams from different parts of the state will converge on Columbus. The longest traveler, Evansville North, will be back for the second time this week after coming to Memorial Gym to practice on Tuesday.
Franklin Central (15-11) and East Central (22-5) will meet in the 10 a.m. opener. That will be followed by Bedford North Lawrence (19-5) and Evansville North (20-5) squaring off in the second semifinal at around noon. The winners will meet for the regional championship at 7:30 p.m.
Bedford is the clear favorite. The Stars have been ranked in the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association poll for most of the season and have won four consecutive games by at least 30 points. They’re playing in the regional for the ninth consecutive year.
Franklin Central and Evansville North both avenged regular-season losses in their sectional final victories — Franklin Central against Center Grove and Evansville North against Castle. Evansville North had been beaten by Castle twice, the second time by 20 points.
East Central is the unlikliest survivor. The Trojans made the two-hour-plus busride to Bloomington South three times in five days last week, upsetting 4A No. 9 Martinsville and the host Panthers before topping Columbus East in Saturday’s final.
Admission is $8 per session or $10 for both sessions.
Crusaders to host regional
Columbus Christian will once again host the Indiana Christian Schools Athletic Association South Regional next weekend.
The Crusaders will play Madison Christian in the semifinals at around 2 p.m. Feb. 22. Bloomington Lighthouse Christian will meet Evansville Christian in the first semifinal at 12:30 p.m. The regional final will be at 7 p.m. that evening.
Meanwhile, because of a lack of teams in the South Region, the Columbus Christian girls already are slotted into the ICSAA state tournament. The Crusaders will play a regional winner to be determined in the semifinals at 6 p.m. CST (7 p.m. EST) Feb. 28 at LaPorte LaLumiere.
The girls state final is at noon Feb. 29, followed by the boys final at 2 p.m. at LaLumiere.
Jets to hold golf callout
The Hauser boys golf team will hold a callout meeting at 10:36 a.m. Wednesday during resource in the auditorium.
After several years at Clifty Creek, the Jets will be practicing and playing their home matches at Otter Creek Golf Course this year.
Ted Schultz is sports editor for The Republic. He can be reached at tschultz@therepublic.com or 812-359-5628.
