It was a tough decision tonight on where to go because there were so many good competitive sectional championships throughout the state tonight. When it comes down to it, traditional powers and rivals, Jeffersonville v. New Albany at Seymour for a title was too good to pass up. Jeff came in with 2 strong games with wins over host Seymour and Floyd Central while New Albany won two really close games against Bedford and Jennings County. Tonight, thr Red Devils flexed their muscles from the opening tip. New Albany simply did not have an answer for 6'8  junior all star candidate Tre Singleton. He went to work early drawing 2 quick fouls on New Albany junior, Chris Lampkins. Combine that with classmate Michael Cooper on fire from the outside the Red Devils looked near unstoppable. New Albany mounted mini- runs throughout the game but Jeff answered every attempted comeback. The Bulldogs got it within single digits in the 3rd but Jeff was too big, too deep, and too much for New Albany coming away with a 75-58. Nobody came with 15 points of the Red Devils this entire sectional and proved they are a force to recken with going into regionals.

● 6'4 junior 2 guard Michael Cooper showed up in a big way tonight. When the double came down on Tre, Michael was there for a spot up 3 which he knocked down consistently tonight. Throughout the year Michael's confidence has grown and so has his stock for the next level. He has recently gotten a look from Division 1 Southern Indiana and he's looking every bit of that level. He's got great potential with his combination of size and shot making ability. A few NAIAs have reached out as well and I expect a few offers to come his way this summer with Indiana Elite. Cooper is not just one dimensional as he can get to the basket against his defender as well. Tonight he was just too big for a Bulldog team that plays a handful of smaller guards. Michael ended with a game-high 24 points.

● 6'8 junior big Tre Singleton did what Tre does for Jeff. He backed his way inside against a smaller New Albany team. He got good position down low and went to work. Tre has also gotten better and more assertive throughout the season. This is the 1st sectional title for this much heralded 2025 class and Tre's development is a big reason why. Tre is growing into his role as a prime time player in southern Indiana and is a junior all star lock come June. I still believe he has another level he can go to going into next year.

● 6'2 junior Jordan Treat had one of his better games I've seen from him in a Bulldog uniform. He is another kid in a really strong 2025 class in this area that will be making even more noise next year for what should be an even better New Albany team next year. Treat is a very good ball handler and 3 point shooter. He is a hard nosed kid that can handle a press and lead a team. Tonight he finished with 15

● 6'4 New Albany Jr. Chris Lampkins had made huge strides this season. For a kid that got cut from his 8th grade team he has grown miles. On a court full of athletes Chris may have been the best one. He is just now scratching the surface of what he can become. His jumpshot is a work in progress but after a strong summer of playing with a high level Indiana 3SGB aau team, he should come into next season as one of the better players in the southern Indiana area. There were a couple times where Chris drove it right into Tre Singleton and finished. He is a little quicker laterally than Tre and just needs to tighten up his handles. With a 7th and 8th grade New Albany group that only lost 1 game combined in the last few years, help is on the way for the Bulldogs. As strong as this class of '25 group is for Jeffersonville, New Albany's '28 and '29 classes are even better at the same age. Except this rivalry to continue for the foreseeable future and both teams come into next year's as top 10 teams in the state.

Jeffersonville moves onto the regional and probable favorites to advance to semi state whil New Albany ends their season 16-8.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR