March Madness tips off in southern Illinois; tourney continues tonight | Sports & Recreation

Champions of the Black Diamond Conference two years running, the Fairfield Mules are used to big games.  Monday night, they took the first step toward what they hope is a long IHSA tournament run.

Opening the 2A sectional at home, the Mules topped Mt. Carmel 68-56 to advance to a Wednesday meeting with Olney-East Richland at 6 p.m.

Here's the complete schedule for 2A and the Class A tournament at Hutsonville where Edwards County fell in the opening game.

Class 2A at Fairfield

Mon., Feb. 20

Game 1: Fairfield 58, Mt. Carmel 56

Tue., Feb. 21

Game 2 at 6:00 pm: (2) Flora vs. (7) Lawrenceville

Game 3 at 8:10 pm: (3) Newton vs. (6) Carmi (C.-White County)

Wed., Feb. 22

Game 4 at 6:00 pm: (1) Olney (East Richland) vs. Fairfield

Game 5 at 8:10 pm: Winner Game 2 vs. Winner Game 3

Fri., Feb. 24

Game 6 at 7:30 pm: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5

Class A at Hutsonville

Mon., Feb. 20

Game 1: Bridgeport (Red Hill) 43, Albion (Edwards County) 40

Tue., Feb. 21

Game 2 at 6:00 pm: (2) Oblong vs. (7) Grayville

Game 3 at 8:10 pm: (3) Cisne vs. (6) Clay City

Wed., Feb. 22

Game 4 at 6:00 pm: (1) Hutsonville vs. Bridgeport (Red Hill)

Game 5 at 8:10 pm: Winner Game 2 vs. Winner Game 3

Fri., Feb. 24

Game 6 at 7:30 pm: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5