Around the Arena: Girls' Basketball Sectional 2

No, Tya Harmon was not just laying around watching the action though that appears to be exactly what she is doing.

Washington Catholic's Rachel Wichman was the best player on the floor during the 4th quarter of last night's first game between the Cardinals and the Barr Reeve Vikings. Unfortunately, it was way too late for her team as the Vikings handily won by a score of 56 to 30.

The Shoals Jug Rox came into the game riding an eight game winning streak and their best season ever but were sent home by the sterling Vincennes Rivet team, that juggernaut from the west. Kelsey Meeks gets an easy two in the photo above which includes four other pretty good ball players: Shaelin Adams, Ashley Taylor, Rachel Harder and Danielle Turpin.

Hillary Fox, one of Barr Reeves' three towers (Horton and Doyle are the other two), seemed to be everywhere all the time out on the court. She also has a scrappiness that belies her size and should be the envy of all the other players on the court.

So, we're now down to the Vikings and the Patriots, which is exactly what everybody would have bet their house on, going head to head for the sectional crown on Monday night. Predictions? Well, a whale of a game for sure. I like Barr Reeves' size and their three point shooting ability and those long arms of Hillary. And I like the intense pressure of the Patriots and their depth - they can run all day and all night with all those excellent athletes they have on the floor and on the bench - Elizabeth Keller, their first substitute, would be the star on many teams. But they substitute in waves and continually. And, for me, that will be decisive. Rivet advances. Either team will make an outstanding run for the state title.