Update: 9:15 p.m. Thursday — JHS beats Brownstown Central 61-43, improving to 15-5.

by Austin Bainbridge

With Sectional knocking on the door, the JHS boys’ basketball team is facing two tough opponents tonight and tomorrow, both contenders for the state championship.

After securing first place in the Hoosier Hills Conference against New Albany and defeating Jennings County 72-69 last weekend, JHS (14-5) will play Brownstown Central (18-0) tonight, and Evansville Reitz (14-3) tomorrow night, both at home.

“This is a benchmark game. I think Brownstown is the epitome of high school basketball. I think if coach Bobby Knight were alive he would be extremely pleased with the way Brownstown plays the game of basketball. I think when you play teams and programs like this it offers you a true test of where your program is and your ability to win,” said head coach Sherron Wilkerson.

 Brownstown Central has not lost since Jan. 5, 2024. Their record stands at an untarnished 18-0 on the season.

“To beat Brownstown, I think we are going to have to play extremely well on the offensive side of the floor. I think we will have to limit our turnovers, and we will have to make our free throws,” said Wilkerson.

With Sectional and the IHSAA state tournament right around the corner, the players and coaches know how to prepare for the pressure of big playoff moments.

“To prepare for the playoffs we make every practice as tough as possible. In fact, we create scenarios that get unfair to our guys so we can get used to playing under pressure,” said Wilkerson.

The fans are also geared up and ready for the playoffs.

“With the playoffs coming up soon I think Jeffersonville has a good chance of winning the state championship. I hope that they will come out with everybody healthy and ready to play. If they keep practicing to get better and play their style of game they will find success in the postseason,” said freshman fan Jacob Fifer.

In the playoffs the team expects four-star center Tre Singleton to get most of the attention from defenses, but that could open up opportunities for other players.

“Tre is the center of attention for our opponents’ scouting reports, and so with him, that can give other guys opportunities,” said Wilkerson.

Jeff won the Hoosier Hills Conference against rival New Albany, but the coaching staff still is focused on winning it all. 

“Winning the division is a goal that we have had since the start of the season, and I think us doing that has shown our maturity and our ability to deliver under pressure, but we still have a larger goal of winning the state championship,” said Wilkerson.

Even though Brownstown is better than Evansville Reitz the coaching staff sees them both equally.

“We see both games equally. We might even see Reitz again if they win their sectional and everything shakes out right; they could be a regional opponent,” said Wilkerson.

The JHS-Brownstown game is tonight at 7:30 p.m. The Red Devils face Evansville Reitz tomorrow night at 7:30. Both games are in Johnson Arena.