By GREG MENGELT
For a few years now, the world of technology has sent the world into a new era. With the newspaper business trying to find its footing, sports journalism has definitely changed significantly. In my 25 years as a sports reporter, the industry has shifted in ways most never expected.
Local newspapers, particularly the Evening News and the Tribune, have done a fine job over the years providing readers with local basketball coverage, but the recent changes and staff reductions have limited what local newspapers can do.
The changes are massive and have been swift. That’s where Hoosier Hills Hoops comes in. Hoosier Hills Hoops has been around for 15 years, but now it is ready to step up its game.
Beginning now, Hoosier Hills Hoops will provide Southern Indiana with top-notch game coverage, game previews, audio and podcasts. Some of those things, like previews and game coverage, will begin immediately. Of course, Hoosier Hills Hoops founder Matt Denison will continue to provide radio calls on WXVW-1450 AM and host The Hoosier Report with Matt Denison, his daily radio show.
We will cover 21 schools from Clark, Floyd, Harrison, Scott and Washington counties with the potential for growth into other counties and for other sports. Hoosier Hills Hoops will cover as many basketball games as possible this season, will preview every boys’ and girls’ game every week and will air a scoreboard show podcast every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday night throughout the season. We will also have a boys’ Game of the Week feature every Thursday and a girls’ Game of the Week feature every Sunday, we will name Players of the Week for both and we will track how local basketball players, including the Celtics’ Romeo Langford, are faring at the college and pro levels with full reports.
And it couldn’t have come at a better time. The Silver Creek girls, who open their season Saturday on the road against Brown County in our first Game of the Week, is the defending champion for the first time and will defend its state crown for the first time. Salem and Lanesville also appear to be state championship contenders. A few other programs — namely Jeffersonville, New Albany, North Harrison, Charlestown, Austin, Scottsburg, Corydon Central, Providence and Floyd Central — will attempt to reclaim their championship traditions beginning this season.
On the boys’ side, Silver Creek is the 2-time defending state champion … and that’s just one of many big stories.
But we’ll get to all that. Very soon.
THE WEEK AHEAD
Game Previews for Nov. 5-6 (for games from teams from Clark, Floyd, Harrison, Scott and Washington counties). NOTE: Girls’ game previews will appear on HoosierHillsHoops.com every Monday morning starting next week. Boys’ previews will appear each Thursday morning.
GAME OF THE WEEK
BROWN COUNTY (0-1) AT SILVER CREEK (0-0)
• Date/Time: Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Brown County High School, Nashville.
• Coaches:
Silver Creek — Scott Schoen (155-108 in 12th season at Silver Creek and overall).
Brown County — Emily Lewellen (9-8 in second season at Brown County and overall).
• Rankings:
Silver Creek — IBCA No. 14 (single class); ICGSA No. 2 Class 3A.
• Sagarin Ratings (computer rankings):
Brown County — No. 157 overall, Class 3A No. 49.
Silver Creek — No. 7 overall, Class 3A No. 1.
• Most recent game:
Brown County — Lost to Shelbyville 47-36 (Nov. 2).
Silver Creek — Defeated South Central Washington 54-48 in Class 3A state championship game (Feb. 27).
• Last 20 Years: Silver Creek 1-0.
• Most recent matchup: Silver Creek 63, Brown County 36 (Nov. 7, 2020).
• News and notes: Silver Creek opens the 2021-22 season as defending state champions for the first time in program history. … The Dragons lost seven players to graduation, including three double-figure scorers. Kynidi Striverson is the leading returning scorer at 10.8. She also led the Dragons at 4.6 assists per game last year. … Abby Fleetwood returns for Brown County after averaging 20.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.7 steals and 4.3 assists for the Eagles as a sophomore last season. … Brown County lost just one starter from last year’s 9-7 team, which reached the sectional championship before falling to Brownstown.
• Outlook: Silver Creek lost a lot of talent from last year’s championship team, but there’s still plenty left for the Dragons to have another strong season.
• Greg’s prediction: Silver Creek 61, Brown County 48.
FRIDAY, NOV. 5
NORTH HARRISON (1-0) AT JEFFERSONVILLE (0-0)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Johnson Arena, Jeffersonville
• Coaches:
North Harrison — Jamie Kolkmeier (13-6 in second season at North Harrison and overall).
Jeffersonville — Missy Voyles (6-12 in second season at Jeff, 276-126 in 18th season overall).
• Sagarin Ratings (computer rankings):
North Harrison — No. 105 overall, No. 30 Class 3A.
Jeffersonville — No. 113 overall, No. 54 Class 4A.
• Most recent game:
North Harrison — Defeated South Central 65-17 (Nov. 3).
Jeffersonville — Lost to Bedford North Lawrence 62-36 in sectional semifinal (Feb. 5).
• Last 20 Years: Jeffersonville 12-8. The two sides have split the last eight meetings.
• Most recent matchup: At North Harrison 61, Jeffersonville 54 (Nov. 5, 2020).
• News and notes: North Harrison defeated South Central 65-17 in its season opener. The Lady Cats began last season with a 61-54 win over Jeff. … Seniors Ali Saunders (21.9 points per game) and Diana Burgher (16.2) combined for 38 of North Harrison’s 54 points per game last season. … Missy Voyles coached at North Harrison for 13 years covering two different tenures (2001-2005 and 2012-19) before moving over to Jeff last season. Voyles led the Lady Cats to state championship appearances in 2016 and 2017 and the regional title in 2003.
• Outlook: Both teams should be better this season, but North Harrison is the more experienced team that this point.
• Greg’s prediction: North Harrison 66, Jeffersonville 58.
EASTERN (0-0) AT BORDEN (0-0)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Borden High School, Borden.
• Coaches:
Eastern — Michael McBride (219-115 in 15th season at Eastern and overall).
Borden — Matt Vick (34-56 in fifth season at Borden and overall).
• Rankings:
Eastern — ICGSA Class 2A No. 11.
• Sagarin Ratings (computer rankings):
Eastern — No. 123 overall, No. 19 Class 2A.
Borden — No. 275 overall, No. 44 Class A.
• Most recent game:
Eastern — Lost to Linton-Stockton 46-24 in regional championship (Feb. 13).
Borden — Lost to New Washington 47-45 in sectional semifinal (Feb. 5).
• Last 20 Years: Eastern 16-2. Eastern has won the last seven matchups with Borden.
• Most recent matchup: At Eastern 58, Borden 25 (Nov. 6, 2020).
• News and notes: Eastern has won at least 10 games in all 14 seasons under McBride. … At 12-9, Borden had its first winning season since 2015-16 last season. The Braves started last season 9-2.
• Outlook: The gap between the rival programs has begun to shrink the last few years, but the Musketeers should still be the better team this season.
• Greg’s prediction: Eastern 47, Borden 30.
AUSTIN (1-0) AT SOUTH RIPLEY (0-0)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: South Ripley High School, Versailles.
• Coaches:
Austin — Jared Petersen (232-164 in 17th season at Austin and overall).
South Ripley — Matt McNew (27-21 in third season at South Ripley and overall).
• Rankings:
South Ripley — ICGSA Class 2A No. 16.
• Sagarin Ratings (computer rankings):
Austin — No. 226 overall, No. 55 Class 2A.
South Ripley — No. 163 overall, No. 31 Class 2A.
• Most recent game:
Austin — Defeated Madison 45-38 (Nov. 3).
South Ripley — Lost 56-45 to Eastern in regional semifinal (Feb. 13).
• Last 20 Years: Austin 8-7. The programs have split the last 12 meetings.
• Most recent matchup: South Ripley 46-31 (Nov. 6, 2020).
• News and notes: The Eagles won their season opener, 45-38 over Madison, for the first time in three years. … South Ripley has won its season opener six of the last seven years. Every one of those years, they went on to win at least 15 games. … The Raiders surrendered just 35.8 points per game last season. That ranked 24th in the state.
• Outlook: Austin will get early tests from South Ripley, Floyd Central and Eastern. This one of one of the more interesting games of the first week locally.
• Greg’s prediction: South Ripley 45, Austin 40.
PROVIDENCE (0-0) AT OLDENBURG ACADEMY (0-0)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Oldenburg Academy, Oldenburg.
• Coaches:
Providence — Brad Burden (159-148 in 14th season at Providence and overall).
Oldenburg Academy — Eric Feller (4-15 in second season at Oldenburg Academy and overall).
• Sagarin Ratings (computer rankings):
Providence — No. 298 overall, No. 75 Class 2A.
Oldenburg Academy — No. 310 overall, No. 54 Class A.
• Most recent game:
Providence — Lost to Clarksville 36-34 in sectional first round (Feb. 2).
Oldenburg Academy — Lost 57-21 to Jac-Cen-Del in sectional first round (Feb. 2).
• Last 20 Years: Oldenburg Academy 1-0.
• Most recent matchup: At Oldenburg Academy 48, Providence 28 (Henryville Tipoff Tournament, Nov. 9, 2012).
• News and notes: The Pioneers have lost three straight season openers, including a 73-14 loss to Lanesville last season. … Oldenburg’s program has been inconsistent. After winning just one game in 2015-16, the Twisters won 15 games the following year. Then 6 wins, then 15, then 8 then 4 the last four years. After playing Providence, Oldenburg will face two different schools named Southwestern on consecutive nights.
• Outlook: Again, with its win totals going up and down the last few years, and the fact that these two programs haven’t met in 9 years, means providing an outlook will be difficult. So we’ll go with the local team with a proven track record of success under Burden.
• Greg’s prediction: Providence 52, Oldenburg Academy 45.
SATURDAY, NOV. 6
CASTLE (0-0) AT JEFFERSONVILLE (0-0)
• Time: 1:30 p.m.
• Location: Johnson Arena, Jeffersonville.
• Coaches:
Castle — Bob Meier (77-19 in fifth season at Castle and overall).
Jeffersonville — Missy Voyles (6-12 in second season at Jeff, 276-126 in 18th season overall).
• Sagarin Ratings (computer rankings):
Castle — No. 30 overall, No. 24 Class 4A.
Jeffersonville — No. 113 overall, No. 54 Class 4A.
• Most recent game:
Castle — Lost to Franklin 51-44 in regional semifinal (Feb. 13).
Jeffersonville — Lost to Bedford North Lawrence 62-36 in sectional semifinal (Feb. 5).
• Last 20 Years: Jeffersonville 18-6. Jeff has won six of the last eight games against the Knights.
• Most recent matchup: At Castle 58, Jeffersonville 38 (Nov. 7, 2020).
• News and notes: Jeff suffered its first losing season since 2012-13 last year when it went 6-12. The Red Devils won its final two regular season games before falling to Bedford North Lawrence in the sectional. … Junior Tatum McFarland is Jeff’s leading returning scorer at 9.2 points per game. … Castle has won sectional championships three of the last four years and has 16 sectional titles in the 23-year class era. … Natalie Niehaus is the Knights’ top returning scorer. She led the team at 14.6 points per game last season.
• Outlook: Jeff will be a team to keep an eye on. They’re well coached and coming off an unusually poor season, record-wise. North Harrison-Castle back to back is a good test.
• Greg’s prediction: Castle 67, Jeffersonville 54.
FLOYD CENTRAL (0-0) AT COLUMBUS EAST (0-0)
• Time: 1:30 p.m.
• Location: The Orange Pit, Columbus.
• Coaches:
Floyd Central — Randy Gianfagna (20-47 in fourth season at Floyd Central and overall).
Columbus East — Danny Brown (274-151 in 19th season at East, 332-179 in 23rd season overall).
• Rankings:
Columbus East — ICGSA Class 4A No. 11.
• Sagarin Ratings (computer rankings):
Floyd Central — No. 178 overall, No. 68 Class 4A.
Columbus East — No. 27 overall, No. 21 Class 4A.
• Most recent game:
Floyd Central — Lost to Jennings County 44-32 in sectional semifinal (Feb. 5).
Columbus East — Lost to East Central 43-27 in sectional first round (Feb. 2).
• Last 20 Years: East 18-2. The Olympians have won 12 in a row against Floyd.
• Most recent matchup: East 52, at Floyd Central 22 (Nov. 7, 2020).
• News and notes: For two programs that have had a lot of success over the years, East’s domination in the series seems a bit strange. … Floyd is 3-0 in its last three season openers, including a 61-21 win over South Central last November. … The Olympians have won 18 of the last 20 meetings, including by at least 9 points in each of the last five meetings. … Koryn Greiwe returns for East after averaging 16.3 points per game last season. Four other returnees averaged at least 6.3 points last year.
• Outlook: It will be a surprise is Columbus East isn’t battling for a Hoosier Hills Conference title.
• Greg’s prediction: Columbus East 66, Floyd Central 42.
SEYMOUR (0-0) AT SALEM (0-0)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Salem High School, Salem.
• Coaches:
Seymour — Jason Longmeier (112-92 in 10th season at Seymour, 146-142 in 14th season overall).
Salem — Jerry Hickey (137-65 in 9th season at Salem and overall).
• Rankings:
Salem — IBCA No. 19 (single class); ICGSA Class 3A No. 6.
• Sagarin Ratings (computer rankings):
Seymour — No. 82 overall, No. 45 Class 4A.
Salem — No. 21 overall, No. 3 Class 3A.
• Most recent game:
Seymour — Lost to Jennings County 72-48 in sectional first round (Feb. 2).
Salem — Lost to Silver Creek 46-27 in sectional championship (Feb. 6).
• Last 20 Years: Seymour 4-3. Salem has won the last three matchups with the Owls.
• Most recent matchup: Salem 45, at Seymour 31 (Nov. 7, 2020).
• News and notes: Salem has won at least 20 games the last four seasons and has won at least 12 games the last seven years. … The Lions lost three times last year, twice to Silver Creek and once to Martinsville. … Salem has won its last three seasons openers. … Seymour has started each of its last three seasons with a loss. … Grace Schrader (senior) and Kendall Sterling (sophomore) both averaged more than nine points per game last season for the Owls.
• Outlook: The sixth-ranked Lions face Hoosier Hills Conference opponents in their first two games. After Seymour and Crawford County, they’ll get a big test next Thursday at Jennings County.
• Greg’s prediction: Salem 61, Seymour 50.
BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL (0-0) AT CORYDON CENTRAL (1-0)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Corydon Central High School, Corydon.
• Coaches:
Brownstown Central — Brandon Allman (45-11 in third season at Brownstown and overall).
Corydon Central — Josh Conrad (11-11 in second season at Corydon, 130-104 in 11th season overall).
• Sagarin Ratings (computer rankings):
Brownstown Central — No. 59 overall, No. 17 Class 3A.
Corydon Central — No. 127 overall, No. 41 Class 3A.
• Most recent game:
Brownstown Central — Lost to Chatard 53-47 in regional semifinal (Feb. 13).
Corydon Central — Defeated New Washington 59-30 (Nov. 2).
• Last 20 Years: Brownstown Central 11-9. Brownstown has defeated the Panthers the last two years and has won seven of the last eight meetings.
• Most recent matchup: At Brownstown Central 66, Corydon Central 61, OT (Nov. 7, 2020).
• News and notes: Corydon has won two of its last three season openers. The lone loss was last year when the Panthers lost to Brownstown in overtime. … Ava Weber is back for the Panthers after averaging 18.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.8 steals and 2.3 assists as a sophomore last season. … Brownstown has won sectional championships in each of its last two years under Allman. … The Braves have started their season with wins over Corydon five of the last six years.
• Outlook: It promises to be a good year in Corydon, but if we had to guess — something we’re doing often early in the year — Brownstown is the better team at this point.
• Greg’s prediction: Brownstown Central 56, Corydon Central 48.
CRAWFORD COUNTY (0-1) AT EASTERN (0-0)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Eastern High School, Pekin.
• Coaches:
Crawford County — Christopher Broughton (111-83 in ninth season at Crawford County and overall).
Eastern — Michael McBride (219-115 in 15th season at Eastern and overall).
• Rankings:
Eastern — ICGSA Class 2A No. 11.
• Sagarin Ratings (computer rankings):
Crawford County — No. 221 overall, No. 53 Class 2A.
Eastern — No. 123 overall, No. 19 Class 2A.
• Most recent game:
Crawford County — Lost to Heritage Hills 50-47 (Nov. 4)
Eastern — Lost to Linton-Stockton 46-24 in regional championship (Feb. 13).
• Last 20 Years: Eastern 20-8. Eastern has defeated the Wolfpack 18 straight times and eliminated them in each of the last six postseasons.
• Most recent matchup: Eastern 37, Crawford County 35 (sectional championship, Feb. 6).
• News and notes: The Musketeers lost four of their top players to graduation last year, but Kyia McKinley (9.3 points per game) and McKenna Jeter (7.5) should give Eastern plenty of firepower. … Crawford County won 20 games just two seasons ago before going 9-16 last year. .. Eastern has eliminated the Wolfpack from the postseason six years in a row. The last four have been by a combined 20 points.
• Outlook: This one could go either way in what has turned into quite a rivalry. When in doubt, go with the home team.
• Greg’s prediction: Eastern 41, Crawford County 40.
MITCHELL (0-0) AT LANESVILLE (0-0)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Lanesville High School, Lanesville.
• Coaches:
Mitchell — Tim Haworth (11-4 in second season at Mitchell and overall).
Lanesville — Angie Hinton (62-15 in fourth season at Lanesville, 235-88 in 15th season overall).
• Rankings:
Mitchell — ICGSA Class 2A No. 20.
Lanesville — ICGSA Class A No. 2.
• Sagarin Ratings (computer rankings):
Mitchell — No. 135 overall, No. 23 Class 2A.
Lanesville — No. 51 overall, No. 1 Class A.
• Most recent game:
Mitchell — Lost to Linton-Stockton 54-28 in sectional first round (Feb. 2).
Lanesville — Lost to Tecumseh 63-60 in regional semifinal (Feb. 13).
• Last 20 Years: Mitchell 5-2. The Eagles have beaten Mitchell in the last two meetings between the teams.
• Most recent matchup: At Lanesville 46, Mitchell 31 (Nov. 9, 2019).
• News and notes: Lanesville begins the season without star Gracie Adams, who graduated last spring. She averaged 21.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 assists and did a little bit of everything for the Eagles. Her graduation should open opportunities for junior Linzie Wernert (11.8 points, 6.1 rebounds). … After years of futility, Lanesville has won 18, 23 and 21 games in the first three years under Hinton. … Mitchell’s 11 wins last year was its most in four seasons despite playing just 15 games in the first year under Haworth. … The Bluejackets start their season with three straight tough road games. After Lanesville, they go to Perry Central and Bedford North Lawrence before hosting Class A state runner-up Loogootee on Nov. 16.
• Outlook: It’s going to be quite a Saturday with several games expected to be tight. This is one of them. If Lanesville can pull off a win, it will be a sign that the Eagles may be ready to be contenders again.
• Greg’s prediction: Lanesville 63, Mitchell 58.
WEST WASHINGTON (0-0) AT LINTON-STOCKTON (0-0)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Linton-Stockton High School, Linton.
• Coaches:
West Washington — Matthew Myers (8-15 in second season at West Washington and overall).
Linton-Stockton — Jared Rehmel (106-72 in eight seasons at Linton-Stockton and overall).
• Rankings:
Linton-Stockton — ICGSA Class 2A No. 5.
• Sagarin Ratings (computer rankings):
West Washington — No. 227 overall, No. 43 Class A.
Linton-Stockton — No. 16 overall, No. 1 Class 2A (has moved up to 3A).
• Most recent game:
West Washington — Defeated Clarksville 41-16 (Nov. 4).
Linton-Stockton — Defeated Tipton 63-25 in Class 2A state championship (Feb. 26).
• Last 20 Years: Linton-Stockton 2-0.
• Most recent matchup: Linton-Stockton 68, at West Washington 19 (Nov. 7, 2020).
• News and notes: West Washington has won six of its eight season openers. However, the last two years the Senators were beaten by Linton-Stockton by a combined score of 140-60 to kick off their campaign. … In West Washington’s season opening win over Clarksville, eight different Senators scored, led by Macenzie Brown’s 11 points. … Linton-Stockton is the two-time defending Class 2A state champions, the first two titles in program history. However, the Miners lost their top three players to graduation. … Jaylee Hayes and Gentry Warrick are the returning starters for Linton. The duo averaged a combined 10.7 points last year. … The Miners have moved up to Class 3A due to its accomplishments the past two years.
• Outlook: Linton-Stockton lost a trio of players who averaged a combined 44.5 points per game last season, but don’t feel bad for the Miners. They’ll be fine. Good early test for West Washington.
• Greg’s prediction: Linton-Stockton 65, West Washington 38.
NEW ALBANY (0-0) AT EVANSVILLE BOSSE (0-0)
• Time: 8 p.m.
• Location: Benjamin Bosse High School, Evansville.
• Coaches:
New Albany — Shelby Gliebe (6-16 in second season at New Albany, 10-35 in third season overall).
Bosse — Garland Copeland (28-90 in seventh season at Bosse and overall).
• Sagarin Ratings (computer rankings):
New Albany — No. 155 overall, No. 65 Class 4A.
Bosse — No. 299 overall, No. 82 Class 3A.
• Most recent game:
New Albany — Lost to Bedford North Lawrence 78-44 in sectional first round (Feb. 2).
Bosse — Lost to Gibson Southern 62-29 in sectional first round (Feb. 2).
• Last 20 Years: New Albany 12-6. New Albany has defeated Bosse six straight times.
• Most recent matchup: At New Albany 82, Bosse 34 (Nov. 7, 2020).
• News and notes: New Albany has opened its season with a win nine straight seasons, including wins over Bosse the last six years. … After beating Charlestown and rival Floyd Central in January, the Bulldogs lost their final four games last season. … After some great teams in the 80s and 90s, Bosse hasn’t had a winning season since 2013-14 and has won just two games each of the past two years. … The Bulldogs lost three of its top four scorers from last year’s squad.
• Outlook: New Albany has three winnable games early in the season before a really tough stretch that includes games against Columbus North, Silver Creek, North Harrison and Jennings County.
• Greg’s prediction: New Albany 66, Bosse 38.
