Bishop Chatard High School girls tennis coach Dan McNally has built a program that's consistently ranked in the top 30 of the state only to have to compete with 12-time state champion North Central in sectionals. This year, the Panthers have slipped out of the rankings . . . only to be replaced by the Trojans' archrival -- and sectional opponent -- Cathedral as the state's top-ranked team.

"There was a streak of something like 13 years in a row where the state champion came from our sectional, so it's not unexpected," McNally said of teams such as Brebeuf Jesuit, Carmel and Park Tudor, which are now in different sectionals. "We know we're in a tough sectional. There are upward of 50 sectionals we could win, but short of moving our school to Jennings County, we're not going to be in one of them.

"Our general feeling is like the snowball trying to beat the blowtorch."

No. 23 Bishop Chatard will play the winner of today's 4 p.m. match between Cathedral and Broad Ripple at 1 p.m. Saturday at North Central. North Central opens with Heritage Christian at 4 p.m. today, with the winner facing Fishers at 1 p.m. Saturday. The final will be at 4 p.m. Saturday. Fishers and North Central also have been ranked this season.

Other potential Indianapolis-area matches to keep an eye on: No. 2 Carmel hosting No. 4 Hamilton Southeastern at 10 a.m. Saturday in a championship, No. 3 Park Tudor and No. 19 Brebeuf likely playing in the semifinals at 10 a.m. Saturday at Pike and a potential matchup of No. 17 Greenwood at No. 8 Center Grove for the championship at 4:30 p.m. Friday.

"I appreciate the competition around here," McNally said. "We've been in the state rankings eight of the last 10 seasons; given the neighborhood we have to play in, I couldn't be any more proud to say that."