
Senior staff writer
Area boys teams will be busy Thursday night and Saturday afternoon.
The Battle of Perry Township unfolds with Perry Meridian (5-10) at Southport (3-11) Thursday. The Falcons snapped a five-game skid against New Palestine 72-66. Southport has captured two of its last three games, including a 49-44 triumph over Franklin Saturday.
More games Thursday find Roncalli (13-5) at Bishop Chatard (1-15) with the Rebels in contention for the Circle City Conference title; Center Grove (10-6) visits Warren Central (14-1), and Greenwood Christian is host to Morristown, all games 7:30 p.m.
Monrovia (8-7) is at Beech Grove (10-5) Saturday at 3:30 p.m. with the Hornets trying to stay in the Indiana Crossroads Conference chase. Beech Grove defeated Lutheran 82-52 Friday and moved to 10-5 on the year and 2-2 in league play.
Also, Saturday, city tourney runner-up Manual (13-3) visits county tourney runner-up North Central (15-3), Franklin Central (8-5) is at home against Terre Haute South (12-5) and Greenwood Christian visits Arlington (9-4), games at 1:30 p.m.
Girls action
Perry Meridian and Southport earned a three-way share of the Conference Indiana championship with Columbus North.
Perry Meridian (13-9) defeated Bloomington South 51-32, and Southport (15-6) downed Terre Haute South 58-51 in final league games Thursday to force the three-way tie.
The Falcons threw the title chase into disarray Jan. 7 by downing 2016 4A state finalist Columbus North 60-48 for their first triumph over the Bulldogs since 2009. Then Southport entered the title picture by winning the Battle of Perry 42-37 in overtime Jan. 20.
The Falcons won the league title outright in 2008-09, their last winning season until now; Southport’s last winning campaign was in 2006-07.
Basketball sectionals continue this week with Southside teams playing at Ben Davis, Martinsville, Chatard, Northwest and Morristown. Semifinals are Friday at 6 and 7:30 p.m., with championship games Saturday at 7:30 p.m.