Kenton Ridge was voted the No. 2 seed in the Tecumseh sectional behind top-seeded Tipp, also ranked No. 2 in the D-II state poll. After Tipp placed itself in the upper bracket, Kenton Ridge, No. 3 Eaton and No. 4 Carroll jumped in the lower bracket.
“I even thought (No. 5) Meadowdale might come down,” Kenton Ridge coach Ed Foulk said. “It’s a good draw. It’s about as good of a draw as you’re going to get. When you’re the number one seed people stay way.”
Kenton Ridge (17-4) plays No. 12 Greenon (4-16) in the first round Feb. 21 at Tecumseh High School. If the seeds hold up KR would play Carroll (13-7) in the second round and Eaton (18-3) in the sectional final. Two of Carroll’s losses came to Alter, ranked No. 1 in the state. Tipp and D-I teams Kettering Fairmont, Beavercreek and Tecumseh also beat Carroll.
“Carroll has seven losses but if they were in our league they wouldn’t,” Foulk said.
A potential third KR-Tipp meeting wouldn’t take place until the regional semifinals. Tipp won both meetings.
“I thought we could play with Tipp if we didn’t get in foul trouble. But I can’t guarantee that,” Foulk said. “The first time was a one-point game with 58 seconds to go and Jamari (McDavid) fouled out. If I have my five players I can beat them, in my opinion. Without one of them I can’t beat them. Tipp’s tenacity coming at you and everything else makes it tough.”
Elsewhere in the sectional draw:
Division I: No. 7 Tecumseh (15-6) plays No. 14 Troy (6-13) in the Dayton 3 sectional Feb. 21. That sectional is hosted by Troy, so the game will be moved to Wayne to prevent home-court advantage. No. 2 Centerville (17-3) is in the same bracket. No. 20 Springfield (2-17) took a first-round bye and likely gets Centerville in the second round Feb. 25.
Division II: No. 7 Shawnee (10-11) plays No. 6 Benjamin Logan (15-5) on Feb. 19 in the Tecumseh sectional. No. 8 Urbana (12-9) plays No. 11 Graham (6-14) also at Tecumseh. No. 9 Northwestern (9-12) took a bye and awaits the winner of Eaton and No. 10 Indian Lake (5-16) Feb. 25.
Division III: No. 3 Greeneview (15-6) plays No. 9 Williamsburg (11-7) in the Wilmington sectional Feb. 21.
No. 3 West Liberty-Salem (16-3) awaits the winner of No. 6 Preble Shawnee (12-7) and No. 7 Brookville (8-11) in the Tippecanoe sectional Feb. 24. No. 10 Northeastern (8-12) also has a bye. The Jets play the winner of No. 1 Versailles (16-4) and No. 12 Northridge (2-17) Feb. 23.
Division IV: No. 4 Mechanicsburg (12-7) plays No. 9 Ansonia (8-12) in the Sidney sectional Feb. 21. No. 3 Jackson Center (12-8) awaits the winner. No. 8 Triad (8-11) also plays at Sidney taking on No. 5 Houston (8-12) Feb. 21.
No. 4 Southeastern (15-6) plays No. 9 Twin Valley South (3-17) in the Brookville bracket Feb. 21. Also at Brookville, No. 11 Catholic Central (3-16) plays No. 5 Covington (12-8) on Feb. 21.
At Monroe, No. 8 Cedarville (9-9) plays No. 7 Cin. College Prep (12-5) and No. 11 Yellow Springs (7-12) plays No. 5 Xenia Christian (11-10). Both games are Feb. 21.
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