Boonville extended the state's longest active softball sectional title streak to nine, while defending Class 2A state champion Andrean kept its title repeat hopes alive in last week's sectional play. Those teams, along with six first-time sectional champions and 20 repeat winners, will compete in regional play Saturday (June 12) at 12 sites across the state.

The regional format calls for two semifinal games and a championship game at each of the 12 sites. The 12 regional champions -- four in each of the three classes -- will advance to the state finals June 18 and 19.

First-time softball sectional champions were Cascade, Heritage Hills and North Harrison in Class 2A, and Bethany Christian, Clinton Prairie and New Washington in Class A. In the first two years of multiple-class, 56 different schools from a possible 96 won a sectional title.

Among the teams eliminated in sectional play were 1998 state champions Center Grove (Class 3A) and Eastside (Class A). All three of the teams that were ranked atop their respective classes in the final coaches association polls of 1999 advanced. In Class 3A Portage seeks its sixth straight regional title and meets Lake Central in the semifinals at Merrillville. In Class 2A, Cass meets Mishawaka Marian at Twin Lakes. In Class A, Pioneer takes on Shenandoah at Eastern (Greentown).

9 -- Boonville.

8 -- Twin Lakes.

6 -- Blackford, Fort Wayne Northrop, Pendleton Heights, Portage, Shakamak, Shenandoah.

5 -- Evansville Mater Dei.

4 -- Decatur Central, Madison-Grant, North Daviess.

12 -- Boonville.

11 -- Jennings County, Pike Central, Shenandoah.

10 -- Center Grove, Eastern (Greentown), Harrison (West Lafayette), Huntington North, Merrillville, Twin Lakes.

5 -- Portage.

2 -- Boonville, Fort Wayne Northrop.