The two-point loss to Northview in last year’s sectional semifinal left a young Brownstown Central team stunned that its season had come to a close.

This year, a more experienced Braves squad is determined to not let that happen again.

Tonight, Brownstown takes on Edgewood at 6 p.m. on the Mustangs’ home floor.

“That was a good learning experience for our guys,” head coach Dave Benter said. “Hopefully, our guys learn from that. We’re so much more experienced this year. Hopefully, that’ll show this week.”

The Braves closed this season winners of eight in a row and with an overall record of 20-3.

Brownstown won a share of the Mid-Southern Conference title with North Harrison.

“I think our guys are real confident,” Benter said. “Right now, they’re playing with a lot of confidence, and they also respect every team in our sectional. To win in our sectional, we’re going to have to play at a high level, rebound at a high level and defend.”

The defense has not been where Benter has wanted it to be over the last couple of games. Brownstown has given up an average of 70 points per game in its last three games.

“Just our general alertness and communication,” he said. “Sometimes, it’s just an effort thing. We’ve played at a quicker pace the last month offensively, and any time you play at that pace, sometimes, you’re vulnerable to give things up on that side of the floor. We’ve talked about that this week in practice.”

While he wants the defense to pick up a bit, the offense has been just fine. The Braves have been humming on that side of the ball as of late.

In their eight-game winning streak, Brownstown has averaged 71.4 points per game. That’s slightly above the season average of 68.1 ppg.

Leading Brownstown in scoring is Jack Benter at 26.5, and Carter Waskom is averaging 17.9. As for the other three in the starting five, Aidan Schroer is scoring 6.1, Parker Hehman 5.5 and Carson Darlage 3.9. Benter and Schroer are both averaging 6.1 rebounds per game, and each have blocked 20-plus shots this season, as well.

“I feel like our other guys have been shooting the ball really well lately. That has been a big factor,” coach Benter said. “We’ve had some other guys step up that now, other teams have to go guard them. Jack and Carter are both playing at a pretty high level offensively. I think it’s a combination of those two playing well plus other guys stepping up and making plays for themselves or their teammates.”

Edgewood is 12-13 this season and defeated South Vermillion 65-57 on Tuesday night to get to this juncture. The Mustangs are led in scoring by Caden Huttlenlocker at 18.7 points per game and Zach Sims at 14.6.

“They have a lot of different guys that can spread you out offensively, two guys averaging double figures that we’re going to have to try limiting a little bit,” Benter said. “We need to go out there and guard and be better defensively than we have the last two games.”

The game is slated to tip off at 6 p.m. today, and Northview and Owen Valley will follow at 7:30 p.m. The winner of those games will square off in the sectional championship at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Tickets are available via the GoFan app and will be $6.