Forty-nine to forty-eight was the final score of last year’s sectional final between Pike and SHS. In that game as well as in the county semi-final last year, Pike edged out SHS for the win.
This year, SHS will try again to avoid a loss as they play Pike in t he opening round of sectional play.
“We (drew) them, so we play them,” head coach Kyle Simpson said. “But we have moved past (the losses), and… we’ll have to take care of business on our end.”
After last year’s losses to Pike, SHS beefed up their schedule to prepare for a potential rematch. They added games against Merrillville, Arsenal Tech and Lawrence Central. (all top 11 teams as of Feb. 22 according to a coaches poll) These games were put in place to help prepare SHS for tougher competition in the state tournament according to Simpson.
The wear these games have taken on the team shows on their record. This year they have lost twice as many games as they did last year. But according to senior Joey Brunk these tougher games have helped prepare SHS for the sectional rematch against Pike.
“We (went) down to Terre Haute (South) and Evansville (Reitz) and that is good prep for sectionals,” Brunk said.
Against Terre Haute South, SHS clinched a share of the conference title and had the stress of a championship. They ended up winning the game comfortably 79-59. Against Reitz however, they had a closer game. In the end though, they still prevailed by 62-60.
A close game and a game with conference implications aren’t the only games SHS is using to get ready for sectionals. They will close out the regular season with a game against seventh ranked Lawrence Central at home Friday. The following Tuesday SHS will play Pike when it all matters. If they get the same results as last year, it will mean the end of SHS’s season.