A pair of Tri-Eastern Confernce contests highlight the coming week of boys basketball action as the four Wayne County rivals meet on the hardwood.
Northeastern (1-0) is a Centerville (0-2) as the two schools face each other for a TEC boys-girls doubleheader on Friday, while on the same night Lincoln (2-1) visits Hagerstown (2-0).
“We definitely don’t have anytime to relax,” Centerville Head Coach Seve Beach said after his team fell 66-58 at home to Seton last Saturday. “They are going to run pressure at us and we’ve got to handle the ball and knock down shots.”
Northeastern Head Coach Brent Ross will be very aware of the first contest of the evening as the two girls squads square off as his daughter, Merissa Ross, suits up for Centerville.
“I’m going to enjoy watching my daughter play the first game as it is her last time to play in this rivalry game,” he said.
The Knights, who were ranked No. 2 in the Class 2A boys pre-season poll, opened the season with an 83-76 overtime win at Monroe Central.
“As far as both games go you can throw the records out and who is supposed to be favored because when it comes to Centerville-Northeastern anything can happen,” the Northeastern mentor said. “It should be a great night of basketball.”
In addition to the Seton contest, Centerville dropped its season opener 50-35 at Eastern Hancock.
Lincoln has won two straight as the Golden Eagles are coming off a 63-51 victory over Muncie Burris in the Holiday Hoopla championship last Saturday. Hagerstown began the season last week with a 72-43 win at Randolph Southern.
There are four other games on Friday. Union County (0-1) entertains Knightstown (1-0) and Union City (2-0) is at home against Randolph Southern (0-2) with Tri (0-2) traveling to Blue River (0-2).
After a successful football season, Winchester (0-0) opens the season with a trip to Wapahani (1-0). The Falcons have rescheduled their postponed games. Winchester will play on two straight Tuesday nights at Delta on Dec. 22 and at Jay County on Dec. 29. The Falcons will entertain Randolph Southern on Thursday Feb. 25.
Other Contests
The first games of the week start on Tuesday. Seton (2-0) is at Union County and Union City goes to Wes-Del (2-0).
On Saturday, Franklin County (1-0) is at Centerville in the finale for the week in the only matchup of the day.