The Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) conducts a Sectional realignment every two years to determine what schools will face off in the
post season. The realignment happens because sports teams may vary in class depending on their enrollment and success factor (which involves the performance of teams in the tournament). The new alignment was announced by the IHSAA on April 30, making a number of changes to next year’s football, volleyball, and basketball Sectionals.
“I am very pleased with the IHSAA decision,” said Athletic Director Darek Newkirk.
For the fall season, both the football and volleyball teams will face new opponents in Sectional play.
The football team will now face Eastern Pekin, Crawford County, Tell City, Brownstown Central, Switzerland County, Salem and Clarksville.
“I am excited about our new Sectional alignment. There are some great teams and programs in Sectional 40 in the next couple of years. The crowds and atmosphere should be great,” said Football Coach Neil Dittmer.
The volleyball team’s new Sectional opponents will be Clarksville, Mitchell, Salem, Crawford County, and Eastern Pekin. The team currently does not have a coach but one player is looking forward to the change.
“I am excited to play new teams in Sectional,” said junior volleyball player Keeley Scott.
In the winter season, both the boys and girls basketball teams will face new opponents. The Rams and Lady Rams will face Mitchell, Salem, Crawford County, Providence, and Clarksville. The Rams will also have Eastern Pekin in their Sectional, while the Lady Rams will add Lanesville.
“Paoli is in a location where we can go multiple directions with entire new Sectional opponents,” said Boys Basketball Coach Dusty Cole. “Honestly, all of the Sectionals have good teams and you have to be playing your best basketball to advance in the tournament. So as far as a competition standpoint,
it doesn’t really matter to me. It doesn’t hurt to have a little bit of luck on your side as well.”
Cole sees the realignment as an opportunity to hopefully host Sectional in the future.
“We have great facilities and it is nice to be able to play here at Paoli and not have to travel. With the new alignment, I think we have a great opportunity to host,” said Cole.
With the tournament now playing schools located near Paoli, the Rams will face competition they are more familiar with.
“With most of the teams in our new Sectional field being on our regular season schedule, that allows us to be a little more familiar with our opponents, and that plays a factor in preparation,” said Cole.
