NORTH JUDSON - When it comes tournament time, it's all about surviving and advancing. Indiana's version of Hoosier Hysteria tips off the 114th edition of Hoosier Hysteria on Tuesday, February 27 across the state. LaVille joins the Class 2A field at 'The Nest' on the campus of North Judson High School. Coach Michael Edison's club opens the NJSP Sectional 34 event against Career Academy on February 27 at 6:30 p.m. ET. The Lancers are 12-11 overall following a 50-26 victory over Trinity Greenlawn. The Trailblazers, meanwhile, closed out a 4-17 season after a 93-42 loss to South Bend Washington. LHS and CASB are not strangers in recent history. The two squads have played yearly since 2013-14, including two IHSAA state tournament meetings in 2019-20 and 2022-23. Last season, LaVille took the regular season affair, 75-59, at Career Academy. The Trailblazers, however, eliminated the Lancers, 71-62, in the North Judson Sectional semifinal. Following the IHSAA draw, we asked coach Edison about how the ping pong balls fell. "Well, I think the sectional draw is just the first step in the process, but really a team has to go out and perform," noted Edison. "If a team is going to win the sectional they must win games and usually it means beating some good teams. Hebron is definitely the favorite as they have only lost 2 games all year. North Judson will also be a very tough opponent as they are the home team and have had some very good success this year. South Bend Career Academy has played very well throughout the season, and it only takes one good showing to give us a major speedbump." During the 2023-24 regular season, LaVille defeated CASB, 84-45, at Dale E. Cox Gymnasium. Davion Mitchell led the Trailblazers with 23 points in that January 30 game. LaVille's Collin Czarnecki led all scorers with 26 points. Several others contributed including Michael Good with 14 points, Avery Garrett 10, Lucas Plummer 9, and Lance Edison 9. Kalen Allen leads the Trailblazer offense at 14.4 points per game. Ashton Murray adds 10.4 ppg, while Davion Mitchell is top rebounder at 7.0 boards per contest. Both Allen and Murray have been out in recent games, so Mitchell has taken the leading scorer reins since the aforementioned duo has been gone. "I have watched the past couple of games and both Allen and Murray have not played recently," said Edison. "When we played them earlier in the year their coach alluded to the fact that they both might be back by sectional time. We are going to prepare as though they are both playing and be ready for them in full force. They are a very athletic team with or without those two guys and we will need to be ready to play an up-tempo game. "They have played man-to-man, 1-2-2 half-court trap and a 2-3 zone for different games this year," continued Edison. "They are very active on defense with their hands. On offense they like to run a 3-man weave with ball screens." With such a lopsided final score in late January, Edison is concerned that his squad could be less focused. "The chance that our guys could take them less seriously than needs to be," Edison said when asked what concerns him about the sectional opener. "They need to realize that this team will probably be totally different from the team we played a month ago." Career Academy averages 44.8 points per game and are 3-9 when scoring 44 or more points in a game. The Trailblazers allow 65.9 points per outing and are 0-11 when an opponent scores at least 65 points this season. LaVille averages 56.4 ppg and is 9-1 when scoring at least 56 points or more so far in 2023-24. The Lancers, meanwhile, give up 51.2 points per contest. LHS is 6-7 when the opposition scores 51 or more points. According to the 16th year LaVille boss, the keys to Lancer advancement in the tournament include, "transition defense, high percentage shots on offense, and defensive rebounding." The game will be available on LVH1 and the IHSAA Champions Network by clicking live from LVH1 Broadcasting! A LaVille victory puts the Lancers against Hoosier North foe North Judson on Friday, March 1, at 6:30 p.m. ET Game on. 2A NORTH JUDSON SECTIONAL #34 At The Nest, North Judson, IN. Tuesday, February 27 6:30 p.m. - LaVille (12-11) v. Career Academy South Bend (4-17) 8:00 p.m. - Wheeler (4-18) v. Hebron (21-2) Friday, March 1 6:30 p.m. - North Judson (13-9) v. LaVille-Career Academy winner 8:00 p.m. - South Central (Union Mills) (10-11) v. Wheeler-Hebron winner Saturday, March 2 7:00 p.m. - Sectional championship * * * GAMEDAY 2A North Judson Sectional Quarterfinal #1 Teams: LaVille (12-11) v. Career Academy South Bend (4-17) Site: The Nest, North Judson High School Coaches: Michael Edison, 227-145 in 16th year at LaVille. Leon Johnson, 15-30 in 2nd year at Career Academy Last Outing: LaVille defeated Trinity Greenlawn, 50-26. Career Academy lost to South Bend Washington, 93-42 Series: LaVille leads Career Academy, 12-1 Last Meeting: LaVille defeated Career Academy, 84-45, Jan. 31, 2024 All-Time Tournament Series: Tied, 1-1 Stream: live from LVH1 Broadcasting! * * * 2A North Judson Sectional Quarterfinal #2 Teams: Wheeler (4-18) v. 2A #9 Hebron (21-2) Site: The Nest, North Judson High School Coaches: Byron Faulstich, 7-38 in 2nd year at Wheeler. Mike Grennes, 94-66 in 7th year at Hebron Last Outing: Wheeler lost to Hobart, 47-37. Hebron lost to Portage, 95-77 Series: Hebron leads Wheeler, 27-19 Last Meeting: Hebron defeated Wheeler, 73-28, February 9, 2024 All-Time Tournament Series: Wheeler leads Hebron, 3-2