Greencastle High School is the host and the action is sure to be intense when Putnam County's boys basketball teams tip off in the Class 2A Sectional 44 tournament. 

Cloverdale and North Putnam kick things off in Game 1 on Jan. 27. The two teams played twice this season with the Cougars capturing both victories. Cloverdale enters at 2-20 and just snapped a 14 game losing streak, knocking off Eminence, 64-40. North Putnam, on the other hand, is the Putnam County champion and enters with a 14-8 record and have won nine straight ahead of Tuesday's regular season finale against North Montgomery. 

"Cloverdale is always exceptionally prepared and has multiple guys that are a threat beyond the arc, so they have the ability to go on a run at any moment," said Vincent Brooks, coach of North Putnam.

The winner of Cloverdale-North Putnam will play Southmont (8-11) in the first semi-final on March 1. The Mounties beat Cloverdale, 35-34, in the second game of the season and lost 53-39 to North Putnam. 

North Putnam is eyeing its first sectional crown since 2002, while the Clovers were last champions in 2018. 

The action on Wednesday, Feb. 28, kicks off with South Putnam (7-13) taking on the host Tiger Cubs (13-9). Greencastle swept the regular season matchups, earning a regular season win early in the season and then defeating the Eagles in the Putnam County Boy's County Tournament. 

"South Putnam has been playing some really good basketball as of late and has the weapons to win the county. Drew Hill is the reigning County Player of the Year, so anytime you have that to deal with, you know you are going to have to play well to win," Greencastle coach Bryce Rector said. 

South Putnam coach Josh Estridge said the Tiger Cubs have a lot of players that can score in multiple ways. 

"They are also long and really athletic. That can make it hard to scheme or get matched up to stop them.  They are also entering the tournament playing really well. I would say they are playing some of their best basketball of the season.  It is also a big rivalry game and we are looking forward to the challenge," Estridge admitted. 

Greencastle last won a sectional in 2021, while the Eagles last cut the nets down in 2003. 

The second game on Feb. 28 features Parke Heritage (18-4) squaring off against Riverton Parke (3-17).