Patriots draw Delta (02/19/07)

INDIANAPOLIS - In its quest for a fourth sectional title in five seasons, Jay County's boys basketball team will open against the only squad to break their streak. South Adams will start against the only team it has beaten in tournament play since 2000.

Both area teams will begin sectional play Tuesday, Feb. 27 - the Class 3A No. 7 Patriots (15-3) against Delta (7-12) at Blackford at 7:30 p.m., and the Starfires (9-8) on their home floor versus Adams Central (4-13) in Class 2A action.

Jay County's contest will be the second of the opening round at Blackford, following the host Bruins (5-14) against Tipton (10-8) at 6 p.m.

The winners of the two opening games will meet in the semifinal round Friday, March 2 at 6 p.m. The other semifinal game will be between Mississinewa (9-10) and Elwood (5-15), both of which drew first-round byes.

The second opening-round game at the South Adams sectional will be Heritage (10-9) against Class 2A No. 3 Harding (15-3). The winner of that contest will meet the South Adams/Adams Central winner in Friday's semifinal round at 6 p.m. The teams which drew first-round byes, Bluffton (13-6) and Woodlan (8-9), will play in the other semifinal contest at 7:30 p.m.

Championship games at Blackford and South Adams will be Saturday, March 3, at 7:30 p.m.

Jay County, which suffered its only sectional loss since 2002 against Delta in the 2005 championship game, holds a perfect 6-0 record against sectional teams this year. It defeated Delta 47-44 Feb. 8, having led the game by double digits before the Eagles hit four 3-pointers in the final minute.

The Patriots, who went all the way to the state finals before losing to New Castle last season, also have defeated Blackford 57-39 and 52-31, Elwood 57-37, Tipton 52-40 and Mississinewa 57-40. Tipton has the next-best record against sectional opponents at 2-1, followed by Mississinewa and Delta (both 1-2), Blackford (1-3) and Elwood (1-4).

South Adams, which earned its only tournament win since 2000 by a 64-42 score over Adams Central in 2005, topped the Jets 63-57 Friday. The Starfires are 2-3 this season against sectional opponents overall, adding a 56-53 win over Bluffton and losses of 52-46 to Heritage, 51-48 to Bluffton and 58-51 to Woodlan.

Harding holds the best record against sectional opponents at 2-0. Woodlan is next at 3-2, followed by Heritage (4-3), Bluffton (3-3) and Adams Central (1-4).[[In-content Ad]]