The North Daviess Cougars and the Loogootee Lions advanced to the sectional championship last night by defeating the Barr Reeve Vikings and the Vincennes Rivet Patriots. The Cougars won the rubber match in their cross country rivalry this season with Barr Reeve by a score of 45-41. The Vikings, down by ten at the end of the first quarter, came all the way back before finally succumbing. In the second game of the night, Loogootee toppled the scrappy Patriots of Vincennes, 52-43, in spite of the super game by Kendall Vieke who scored 27 of his team's 43 points.
Tonight the Big Cats go at each other for the championship.
Note: The Sagarin ratings for the four teams that played last night are: North Daviess: 122; Loogootee: 130; Barr Reeve: 166; Vincennes: 184.
It surprised me that Loogootee has been the favorite for the sectional - at least around Loogootee, even though North Daviess has the better record and is playing at home. Of course, the home floor doesn't mean much in Sectional 63, a closely contested tournment down through the years. So, tonight: Expect a hugh cat fight that will last throughout the game and maybe even into overtime. Winner? It's a toss up. My heart is with the Lions but my gut tells me it's going to be the Cougars. Prove me wrong, Lions.
