Columbus North, Columbus East Set for High-Stakes Sectional Opener; Hauser Aims for Deep Run

The IHSAA Boys Basketball Sectional Draw has set the stage for an electric postseason, and Columbus North and Columbus East will waste no time reigniting their fierce rivalry. The two teams will meet in the first round of the Class 4A Sectional 14 tournament, hosted at Columbus East on Tuesday, March 4, at 7 p.m.

This matchup is one of the most anticipated of the postseason, as North (18-3) enters with an 11-game winning streak, while East (12-9) looks to avenge their 59-42 loss to the Bull Dogs in December. The winner will advance to the sectional semifinals on Friday, March 7, against Franklin (7-13).

Meanwhile, Hauser (19-3), the No. 3-ranked team in Class A, received a favorable sectional draw, taking on Shawe Memorial (7-14) on March 4 at 6 p.m. in the Milan Sectional. If they advance, they’ll face the winner of Trinity Lutheran (7-15) and Jac-Cen-Del (6-15) in the semifinals on March 7 at 6 p.m.

With sectional championships set for March 8, teams are eager to fine-tune their play as they approach postseason basketball. The Columbus East sectional winner will face the Bloomington South sectional champion, while the Milan sectional champion will battle the Indianapolis Lutheran sectional winner.

But before the tournament tips off, each of these teams has one last regular-season test. Columbus East will host Greensburg on Tuesday night, a game you can hear live on 1010 WCSI, 98.1 FM, and online at 1010wcsi.com. Hauser welcomes Greenwood Christian on Thursday in another broadcasted showdown, while Columbus North will travel to Center Grove on Thursday for its final tune-up before sectionals.