NORTH MANCHESTER – Mark Underwood didn’t waste any time saying how he really felt. Manchester High School’s varsity girls basketball coach is happy with the draw his Lady Squires got for this week’s Class 2A sectional at Wabash. “I’m not gonna beat around the bush, I’ll just come out and say it, I’m happy with the draw we got,” said Underwood, whose team is trying to win the program’s first sectional title since 2007. “That’s no disrespect to any of the other teams, but we’re happy with the draw. By the same token, I know Lewis Cass and North Miami are happy with the draw too.” The seven-team sectional field features four teams with winning records – Northfield, Oak Hill, Southwood and Wabash. There are three teams with losing records – Lewis Cass, Manchester and North Miami. With the way the draw came out, a team with a losing record is guaranteed to advance to Saturday’s sectional championship game. Manchester and Lewis Cass open postseason play when they square off Tuesday at 7 p.m. On Wednesday, Wabash and Southwood will battle at 6 p.m., followed by Oak Hill and Northfield at approximately 7:30 p.m. In Friday’s first semifinal game, North Miami will play either Manchester or Lewis Cass, while Wednesday’s winners will square off in the other semifinal. The championship game is set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, with the winner advancing to the Lapel Regional. “Because of the draw, North Miami, Lewis Cass and ourselves have a chance that maybe we wouldn’t have if the draw was different,” said Underwood. “I’m not saying North Miami, Lewis Cass or ourselves couldn’t get to the sectional championship, but now one of us is guaranteed to be playing Saturday night. And it may be cliché, but on any given night any team can beat another team.” Though Underwood is cautious, saying both Lewis Cass and North Miami have improved, Manchester has defeated both teams they would face prior to Saturday’s sectional final. The Lady Squires beat Lewis Cass 43-40 on Nov. 26 and beat North Miami 62-56 on Jan. 5. Underwood, in his typical humble manner, was quick to point out both those wins came in North Manchester, and both games were close. “We were able to beat both those teams, but we also understand it’s been a while,” said Underwood. “Both games were very close, and both games were on our court. We have to play on a neutral court this time around, and both Lewis Cass and North Miami have improved. There are no gimmes. Those teams are just as happy with the draw as we are.” Oak Hill is 6-0 against the rest of the sectional field, which consists of Three Rivers Conference schools except for Oak Hill and Lewis Cass. Southwood went 7-0 in the TRC. Wabash is the defending sectional champion and his playing on its home floor. So, who is the favorite? “It’s pretty much wide open,” said Underwood. “I think it’s a toss-up between those four teams as for who the favorite is. I think you could play that side of the bracket four times and you might get four different winners. I think you’d probably have to look at Southwood going 7-0 in the TRC and Wabash playing on its home court. Southwood and Wabash might be slight favorites.” For the Lady Squires to make any noise, Underwood said they’re going to have to play defense. “It may sound cliché, but they say offense wins games, and defense wins championships,” said Underwood. “We only average about 41 points per game, so we’re going to have to hold teams under 41 points. We’re going to have to play good defense.” Kayla Flack leads Manchester’s offense with 13 points per game, while Bekah Brunn, Autumn Brewer and Tabby DeWitt all score about six points per game.
