HOPE — For the second year in a row, the Jackson County Cyclones are going to the state tournament.

Defeating the Harrison County Warriors 20-4 and Clark-Floyd Counties Wolverines 20-4 during Saturday’s Special Olympics Indiana basketball sectional at the Hauser Fieldhouse at Hauser High School in Hope, the Cyclones won their division and earned a trip to the state tournament.

That’s set for March 23 and 24 at Pacers Athletic Center at Grand Park in Westfield.

In the first sectional game, Dale Hickman led the Cyclones with 12 points, while Billy Allman and Elijah Noble each scored four. In the championship game, Allman led with 10 points, Hickman had six and Noble and Rob Smith each scored two.

“I said to the team, ‘If you win or lose, have fun,’” Cyclones coach Derrick Martin said. “After they won the first game, I said, ‘The second game, play the same way.’”

“And we did,” Hickman said, smiling.

“Yes!” Martin exclaimed before high fiving Hickman.

“I’m proud of my team, and I’m happy that we go to state,” Martin said.

The Cyclones take a record of 10-2 into the state tournament. Also advancing to state are Jackson County’s two individual skills participants, Becky Klosterman and Owen Law.

Both won their divisions at sectional and now will prepare to do shooting, dribbling and passing at state.

In other action Saturday, the men’s three-on-three Hurricanes lost to the Monroe County Wildcats 20-8. Ethan Ellis scored four points, and Dylan Bridges and Donald Bennethum each had two.

They finished the season with a 3-6 record.

The men’s five-on-five Tornadoes lost to the Harrison County Wildcats 29-23. Chaz Rothrock led with 12 points, followed by Josh Beals with eight and A.J. Engel with three. They ended the season at 6-4.

Also playing at the state tournament will be the women’s three-on-three Wildcats. They will take a record of 3-6 into that weekend.