By Kevin Leibrock
With the regular season now complete all six Hendricks County girls’ basketball teams are looking forward to next week’s sectional tournament.
Two county rivals will square off at Indianapolis Manual, where Brownsburg (16-5) will open against Avon (7-14) at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
The Bulldogs defeated the Orioles 61-44 in the teams’ previous match-up on Jan. 18. Brownsburg’s 16 wins on the season are the most it’s had since 2004.
The inside presence of Stephanie Mavunga has been a major factor in the Bulldogs’ success. Mavunga averages a team-high 11.1 points and 7 rebounds per game. Other top contributors for Brownsburg are Ryne Carr (9 ppg), Erika Lesch (8.3 ppg), and Lindsey Dall (8 ppg).
Avon is entering the postseason looking to snap a three-game losing skid. The Orioles advanced to the second round of sectionals last season before falling to Decatur Central.
Class 2A No. 14 Tri-West (17-3) begins its quest for a sectional title at 6 p.m. Wednesday when it travels to North Putnam to take on the host Cougars. The Bruins are looking to erase the sour memories of last year’s tournament run, which ended with a 57-56 overtime loss to Covenant Christian in the sectional title game.
The Bruins’ top two offensive weapons are senior Sam Ricks (17.5 ppg) and fellow starter Megan Bennett (10.3 ppg). Tri-West has beaten every team in its sectional during the regular season.
Plainfield (11-11) enters the postseason on a hot streak, having won its last four games. The Quakers receive a first-round bye and play either Mooresville or Martinsville at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Terre Haute South. The Quakers are seeking their first sectional title since 2005.
Cascade (9-11) also plays in the North Putnam sectional, taking on Monrovia at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
The Cadets are led by senior Alex Morgan (16.9 ppg, 9.9 rpg) and Brittany Sallee (5.4 apg). Cascade is seeking its first postseason win since 2006, when it won its last sectional title.
Danville (4-15) opens the tournament at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Southmont, taking on the host Mounties. The Warriors defeated the Mounties 31-25 in the team’s previous match-up Dec. 11.
kevin.leibrock@flyergroup.com
