Hagerstown sectional filled with good game potential

Of the 401 teams entered in the 2012 IHSAA boys basketball tournament, no one sectional is more important to Union County than this year’s Class 2A sectional at Hagerstown, and it will play out in this manner...

Eastern Hancock (10-8) vs. Hagerstown (10-8), 7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 28.

Northeastern (9-9) vs. Union County (16-2), 6 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 29.

Centerville (5-4) vs. Knightstown (1-17), 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 29.

Cambridge City Lincoln (10-9) drew the bye and will take on the EH, Hagerstown winner at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 2. The winner advances to the championship game.

The NE, Union County winner will play the Centerville, Knightstown winner at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 2. The winner moves on to the championship game.

The championship game will be played on Saturday, March 3, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

“As far as the sectional goes, really only one team can say they got the “best” draw possible and that is Lincoln,” Union County coach Mark Detweiler said. “That’s because they are the team that got the bye and only have to play two games to win it.”

The Patriots’ draw will be a rematch of the game played two weeks ago, when Union County defeated the Knights, 68-45 to become the sole owner of the 2012 Tri-Eastern Conference boys basketball crown.

“I really don’t care who we play, since we are so familiar with everyone in the field. If we hadn’t seen a team during the regular season, then I might have a different opinion regarding the draw,” Detweiler said. “All teams will be very familiar with each other, which makes for some great games. We are just looking forward to getting into tournament play ,and playing our best basketball.”

2011 Sectional

Union County advanced to the semi-finals in last year’s sectional with a thrilling 51-49 victory over Hagerstown on Andrew Strait’s 30-ft. 3-point buzzer beater.

The 16-5 Patriots went on to mesmerize the crowd in a 64-61 double overtime victory over Shenandoah to take on Centerville in the championship game.

Centerville won last year’s Class 2A sectional 41 with a 63-59 overtime victory over Union County.