Franklin and Center Grove appear destined to meet for a third time this season.
Daily Journal file photo
It’s long been said in basketball circles that it’s difficult to beat a good team three times in the same season.
The Franklin girls, ranked second in the state in Class 4A, will likely have a chance to find out.
The 20-1 Grizzly Cubs drew a matchup with Shelbyville in the first round of the Class 4A Franklin Central Sectional next Tuesday evening. If they get past the Golden Bears as expected, a semifinal clash with Center Grove awaits. Those two county rivals have had two battles go down to the wire already this season, with Franklin twice edging the Trojans by three points.
Another county rivalry will take place on the other side of that sectional bracket, with Greenwood and Whiteland meeting for the third time this winter in an opening-round tilt. The survivor of that game will take on the host Flashes in the other Feb. 4 semifinal.
Elsewhere, host Indian Creek will open 3A sectional play next Tuesday with a 6 p.m. game against longtime nemesis Cardinal Ritter. Should the Braves advance, they will face Herron in a Feb. 4 semifinal. Beech Grove, Speedway and Indianapolis Washington are on the bottom half of the bracket.
Greenwood Christian, the defending champion in the Class A Indianapolis Lutheran Sectional, got a first-round bye and will face Tindley in the early semifinal on Feb. 4. A victory would put the Cougars in the final against the host Saints, Central Christian or Providence Cristo Rey.
Also in Class A, Edinburgh drew a matchup against the host Senators in the opening round of the West Washington Sectional next Tuesday evening. If the Lancers can get through that game, they’ll earn a semifinal date with Shawe Memorial.
