Howard County Basketball: March 6 Preview and Predictions
Sectional semifinal night has arrived, and three Howard County teams remain in the hunt for a championship. Kokomo, Northwestern and Taylor are each one win away from advancing to their respective sectional title games.
Each team faces a different challenge Friday night, but the goal remains the same: survive and advance. With postseason intensity rising and a trip to the championship on the line, the three county programs will look to keep their seasons alive.
Kokomo (17-6) vs Lafayette Jefferson (16-7)
Kokomo enters sectional play having won 10 of its last 11 games. Despite the strong stretch, the Wildkats will be without sophomore DJ Nash, who is sidelined with a foot injury, as they prepare for the Sectional 7 semifinal against Lafayette Jefferson.
Kokomo defeated Lafayette Jefferson in overtime during the regular season, outscoring the Bronchos 9-4 in the extra period to secure the win. Senior Jamael Cosley recorded a double-double in the first game Nash missed due to injury, showing the type of production Kokomo will need again. The Wildkats will likely need strong performances from multiple players to defeat Lafayette Jefferson for a second time and advance to the sectional championship.
Winner: Lafayette Jeff
Northwestern (16-5) vs Logansport (13-9)
Northwestern advanced to the sectional semifinal with a 74-52 win over Twin Lakes. The Tigers are now one win away from a chance to compete for the program’s first sectional championship since 2016. To get there, they must defeat sectional host Logansport.
Logansport received a bye in the sectional draw, giving the Berries additional time to prepare. While extended rest can sometimes disrupt rhythm, it also provides valuable preparation time during the postseason. Northwestern and Logansport appear evenly matched, but two factors could play a key role: the Berries’ pace of play and home-court advantage. The Tigers are 6-5 on the road this season, while Logansport is 9-2 inside the Berry Bowl — a factor that could loom large Friday night.
Winner: Logansport
Sheridan (18-4) vs Taylor (16-8)
Taylor enters its sectional semifinal against Sheridan after defeating Tipton twice in the same season for the first time since the 1999-2000 season. The milestone was a significant moment for the Titans, but their focus now turns to the challenge of taking down the Blackhawks.
Sheridan won the regular-season meeting between the Hoosier Heartland Conference rivals on its home court. The game was tightly contested, with Sheridan making more plays down the stretch to secure the victory. One telling statistic from that matchup was field-goal percentage. Taylor shot 40% from the field, while Sheridan finished at 50%. The Titans also shot 40% in their win over Tipton, a mark that will likely need to improve if Taylor hopes to defeat Sheridan and advance to the sectional championship.
Winner: Sheridan
Sectional semifinal night brings high stakes for three county teams, with each looking to take the next step toward a championship opportunity. Momentum, execution and timely plays will likely determine who advances, as postseason basketball often comes down to which team handles pressure the best in the final minutes.
A trip to the sectional championship game is on the line, and every possession will matter. The teams that defend, rebound and make key shots late will give themselves the best chance to keep their seasons alive and move one step closer to cutting down the nets.
Jay’s stats
Last week: 2-0
2025-2026 sports season: 74-28 (72.5%)
