“We were ecstatic,” Shay said. “That’s what we were looking at to get when started going about the records last week.”
They’ll play Newton (9-10), the No. 7 seed, Feb. 25 at 8:30 p.m. The winner will face the winner of No. 5 Franklin-Monroe (12-7) and No. 6 Southeastern (11-8). Tri-Village (15-3), the No. 2 seed, likely awaits in the sectional final.
“You’re going to have to play exceptionally well to get through,” Shay said.
The Irish have won seven of their last eight games, and Shay said defense has been the key to the recent performance.
“We’re really starting to click on the defense,” Shay said. “We’re really starting to harp on the kids that defense is what wins us ball games, especially if you have a bad shooting night.”
This week, they’ll be tested with games against Shawnee on Tuesday, Mechanicsburg on Friday and St. Charles Prep on Saturday.
“It really tells you how we’re going to match up and shows you where we’re at,” Shay said.
Tournament injustice: In the other D-IV sectional at Piqua, Mechanicsburg, despite having the second-best record at 12-6, received the No. 6 seed. It’ll play No. 7 seed Fairlawn on Feb. 25 at 7:30 p.m. They’re in the same bracket with top-seeded Jackson Center (19-0).
“It’s what we expected,” said Indians coach Paul Hershberger Jr. said.
Despite being tied for the second-most wins at the D-I tournament draw, Tecumseh (13-5) received the No. 11 seed.
Northmont (13-6), which the Arrows beat earlier this year, received the No. 3 seed, while Centerville (9-9) received the No. 4 seed.
The Arrows play No. 6 Fairborn (11-7) on Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. at Centerville. They could meet No. 5 seed Troy (13-6) in the semifinals and face a possible rematch with Northmont in the sectional final.
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0365.
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