FARMERSBURG, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Linton Head Coach Joey Hart joins Grant, Nicole, and Jack for this week’s show as the Miners prepare for sectionals next week.
The Miners have won eight of the last ten sectionals they’ve competed in, but Hart said this year poses a new challenge.
“There are three sectional champs in this one with Sullivan and Paoli being added,” Hart said. “So it’s tough for all of us right away. I feel like the four best teams, or the four most experienced teams play each other right away.”
Hart also spoke about the return of the 2013 team to Linton over the weekend; the team was honored before the Saturday game and were able to catch up with one another and reminisce on the first Linton semi-state championship in the school’s history.
Hart said his son, Joey, was a second grader at the time and saw the bond that ’13 team had; a bond that has made all the teams to follow hungry for a state title.
“They’ve always looked up to them,” Hart said, referencing younger players to the ’13 team members. “It would be awesome if the ’23 team could make a run, you know, kind of represent all these past teams.”
Hart gave insight during the interview into his relationship with his father, local coaching legend Joe Hart, and Joey, who plays his senior night game on Friday.
Going beyond basketball, Hart talked about the Miner pride and support of the community, along with traditions he has on game days and a special routine he goes through during the National Anthem that’s tied to his late mother.
Linton will face off against Paoli on March 1 at 7:30 p.m. at the North Knox sectional.
Below are the IHSAA sectional matchups for our area teams:
4A BOYS BASKETBALL SECTIONAL AT PLAINFIELD
TH SOUTH VS AVON, 7PM ON 2/28
TH NORTH VS BROWNSBURG, 6PM ON 3/3
GM 1 VS PLAINFIELD, 7:30PM ON 3/3
CHAMPIONSHIP, 7:30PM ON 3/4
3A BOYS BASKETBALL SECTIONAL AT NORTHVIEW
OWEN VALLEY VS NORTHVIEW, 7PM ON 2/28
SOUTH VERMILLION VS BROWN COUNTY, 6PM ON 3/1
EDGEWOOD VS WEST VIGO, 7:30PM ON 3/1
INDIAN CREEK VS GM 1 WINNER, 6PM ON 3/3
GM2 VS GM3 WINNER, 7:30PM ON 3/3
CHAMPIONSHIP, 6:30PM ON 3/3
3A BOYS BASKETBALL SECTIONAL AT WASHINGTON
SOUTHRIDGE VS HERITAGE HILLS, 7:30PM ON 2/28
PRINCETON VS LINCOLN, 6:30PM ON 3/1
PIKE CENTRAL VS NORTH DAVIESS, 8PM ON 3/1
G1 WINNER VS WASHINGTON, 6:30PM ON 3/3
G2 VS G3 WINNER, 8PM ON 3/3
CHAMPIONSHIP, 7PM ON 3/4
2A BOYS BASKETBALL SECTIONAL AT SOUTHMONT
GREENCASTLE VS PARKE HERITAGE, 7PM ON 2/28
NORTH PUTNAM VS SOUTHMONT, 6PM ON 3/1
CLOVERDALE VS RIVERTON PARKE, 7:30PM ON 3/1
SOUTH PUTNAM VS G1 WINNER, 6PM ON 3/3
G2 VS G3 WINNER, 7:30PM ON 3/3
CHAMPIONSHIP, 7PM ON 3/4
2A BOYS BASKETBALL SECTIONAL AT NORTH KNOX
SULLIVAN VS SOUTH KNOX, 7PM ON 2/28
MITCHELL VS NORTH KNOX, 6PM ON 3/1
PAOLI VS LINTON, 7:30PM ON 3/1
EASTERN GREENE VS G1 WINNER, 6PM ON 3/3
G2 VS G3 WINNER, 7:30PM ON 3/3
CHAMPIONSHIP, 7PM ON 3/4
1A SECTIONAL AT WRV
SHAKAMAK VS BLOOMINGTON LIGHTHOUSE, 7PM ON 2/28
DUGGER VS WRV, 6PM ON 3/1
BLOOMFIELD VS CLAY CITY, 7:30PM ON 3/1
NORTH CENTRAL VS G1 WINNER, 6PM ON 3/3
G2 VS G3 WINNER, 7:30PM ON 3/3
CHAMPIONSHIP, 7PM ON 3/4
1A SECTIONAL AT LOOGOOTEE
VINCENNES RIVET VS LOOGOOTEE, 7PM ON 2/28
SPRINGS VALLEY VS WASHINGTON CATHOLIC, 6PM ON 3/1
SHOALS VS ORLEANS, 7:30PM ON 3/1
BARR-REEVE VS G1 WINNER, 6PM ON 3/3
G2 VS G3 WINNER, 7:30PM ON 3/3
CHAMPIONSHIP, 7PM ON 3/4
Additionally, North Vermillion plays Friday night at Fountain Central at 6 p.m.
Tune in to Goin’ 2 The Hoop on Friday night at 11 p.m. for the final regular season Friday night matchups.
