Braves angling for top spot in 2A
Undefeated in team competition to this point, the Bellmont Braves will look to solidify themselves as the top team in Class 2A when they compete for an IHSWCA Team State title at Jay County on Saturday.
Their 23-0 record has the Braves ranked first in 2A.
That status allows them to progress automatically to the quarter-finals with a first-round bye.
While they do not know yet who their first opponent of the tournament will be, the Braves could certainly face a tough challenge in the final eight.
One of their potential opponents is 15-10 Maconaquah.
Maconaquah has experienced mixed results against 2A teams this season, going only 6-4 against such clubs to this point.
They have been impressive in Three Rivers Conference action, currently sitting at 5-1 in league competition.
If the scenario of Braves versus Braves (Bellmont Braves versus Maconaquah Braves) does not come to fruition, it will because Bellmont will face Heritage Hills instead.
The 17-3 Patriots are ranked ninth in 2A. They are 5-2 against opponents in their class.
Should Bellmont get by their second-round opponent, whoever that may be, a semi-final showdown with either Rensselaer Central, Monrovia or Western would await.
Wawasee and Oak Hill will square off in the opening round in the bottom-half of the bracket. Hamilton Heights versus New Prairie will complete the first round.
Western, Jay County and Delta are the other three teams in the tournament who received first-round byes.
Terre Haute South is ranked first in Class 3A. The 3A tournament also features Hobart, Roncalli, Mishawaka, DeKalb, Franklin, Floyd Central, East Noble, New Palestine, GreenfieldCentral, Fort Wayne Snider and Columbus East.
Top-ranked Brownsburg is joined in the 4A bracket by Indianapolis Cathedral, Evansville Mater Dei, Avon, Center Grove, Warren Central, Perry Meridian and Crown Point.
The tournament is slated to begin on Saturday at 9:00 a.m. in Portland.