The Western Boone Stars girls basketball team will be the last of the seven Sectional 25 teams to take the court in postseason play.
But when the clock strikes 6 p.m. tonight, the Lady Stars will be more than ready to go.
“I think we are definitely ready to play a game,” Western Boone head coach Rich Schelsky said. “The one negative of drawing the bye is that you sit around for a week without playing when we are in a routine of playing every Tuesday and Friday. I think the kids are antsy to play; they are tired of practicing against each other and ready to get started on our tournament run.”
The Stars will face North Montgomery in the sectional semifinals. Western Boone has already played the Chargers twice this season, winning 50-32 Nov. 19 and 65-34 Jan. 27.
Last year the Stars won twice against the Chargers in the regular season, only to lose in the sectional.
“We just played them two weeks ago to the day,” Schelsky said. “We are really familiar with what they do; we aren’t going to be surprised if they come out and change some things on us. At the same time, we have a good idea of what they are about offensively, who their threats are and what we have to do. We have guarded them very well both games so far. They have had a tough time scoring against us. Hopefully, it all goes to plan and that stays the same. And if it does, we will put ourselves in a good position to win.”
The Stars battled the illness in the final week of the regular season, but Schelsky said they are “back to 100 percent” for Friday.
Schelsky said it will be an advantage to be playing the sectional on Western Boone’s home court.
“Anytime you are in familiar surroundings, any time you get to stay at school to practice, keep doing our normal routine with watching film, pregame stuff, that helps to break the tension that comes along with the tournament pressure,” Schelsky said. “One of my favorite sayings, is ‘there is no pressure like sectional pressure.’ I think some of that cedes a little bit when you are at home.”
Another advantage for Western Boone will be big game experience.
Whether it be the basketball sectional title two seasons ago or this fall’s volleyball sectional title, eight of the 12 Stars have won a sectional title of some sort
“I don’t expect us to have a lot of nerves,” Schelsky said. “I don’t expect us to feel a lot of pressure. I think our kids know if we go out and play, we will have as good of a chance as anybody to win — if we play to our capabilities. Playing in those big game settings, in those big game surroundings, will do nothing but help that.”
Western Boone is 13-6 against North Montgomery since 2000 and have won 10 of the last 11 meetings.
The Stars finished the year ranked No. 8 in the polls and No. 13 in the class (63rd in the state) according to the computers. The Chargers are unranked in the polls and come in 38th in the class (141st in the state) according to the computers.
For more of this story, read Friday’s Lebanon Reporter
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