By GREG MENGELT
Even if they wouldn’t admit it, the New Washington Mustangs surely have December 18 circled in red markers on the copies of their schedules.
Not that every game isn’t important, but Lanesville is currently the local Class A team by which all others measure their success. Not only are the Eagles the 3-time reigning Southern Athletic Conference champions, they’re also now ranked No. 1 in all of Class A.
If New Wash wants conference and postseason success, it’s likely to go through Lanesville. For now, however, New Washington’s job is to stay alive in the Southern Athletic Conference, which means winning every game until the Dec. 18 showdown with the Eagles.
Today, New Wash (3-3), which has won three of its last four games, goes to Borden for its SAC opener and the Hoosier Hills Hoops Game of the Night. If New Wash isn’t the top challenger to Lanesville, perhaps it’s the Braves. Borden is currently 4-2 and has won four of its last five. That includes a 61-44 win over Crothersville in its conference opener and a 43-31 triumph over Madison Shawe last Monday.
In other local action girls’ basketball action, North Harrison (5-3) hosts Jasper (1-3) and Providence (0-5) travels to Christian Academy (2-6).
TODAY’S GAMES | TUESDAY, NOV. 30
GAME OF THE NIGHT
NEW WASHINGTON (3-3, 0-0 SAC) AT BORDEN (4-2, 1-0)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Borden Junior-Senior High School.
• Coaches:
New Washington — Kirsti Holloway (58-86 in seventh season at New Wash).
Borden — Matt Vick (38-58 in fifth season at Borden).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
New Washington — No. 197 overall, No. 24 Class A.
Borden — No. 322, No. 63 Class A.
• Most recent game:
New Washington — Won at Milan 75-31 (Nov. 27)
Borden — Defeated Shawe 43-31 (Nov. 22).
• Last 20 years: New Washington 19-10. The Mustangs have defeated Borden 7 straight times.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 5 — New Washington 47, Borden 45 (New Washington Sectional semifinal).
• John Harrell prediction: New Washington 56, Borden 32.
• Sagarin projection: New Washington by 19.
• Outlook: The winner takes the mantle as Lanesville’s top conference and sectional competition.
• Greg’s pick: New Washington 53, Borden 33.
PROVIDENCE (0-5) AT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (2-6)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Christian Academy of Indiana
• Coaches:
Providence — Brad Burden (159-153 in 14th season at Providence).
Christian Academy — Carson Casey (10-41 in third season at CAI).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Providence — No. 343 overall, No. 87 Class 2A.
Christian Academy — No. 367, No. 77 Class A.
• Most recent game:
Providence — Lost to Trinity Lutheran 60-37 (Nov. 23).
Christian Academy — Defeated Bloomington Lighthouse 43-11 (Nov. 27).
• Last 20 years: Providence 15-0.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 19, 2020 — At Providence 43, Christian Academy 11.
• John Harrell prediction: Providence 42, Christian Academy 33.
• Sagarin projection: Providence by 6.
• Outlook: The Pioneers’ decades-long winning streak is on the line in a game that could go either way.
• Greg’s pick: Providence 39, Christian Academy 36.
JASPER (1-3) AT NORTH HARRISON (5-3)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: North Harrison H.S., Ramsey.
• Coaches:
Jasper — Jessica Mehringer (44-45 in fifth season at Jasper).
North Harrison — Jamie Kolkmeier (17-9 in second season at North Harrison).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Jasper — No. 294, No. 92 Class 4A.
North Harrison — No. 110 overall, No. 28 Class 3A.
• Most recent game:
Jasper — Lost to Evansville Memorial 64-12 (Nov. 20).
North Harrison — Defeated Heritage Hills 65-59 (Nov. 27).
• Last 20 years: North Harrison 12-7. The Lady Cats have beaten Jasper 7 meetings in a row.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 3, 2019 — At North Harrison 62, Jasper 51.
• John Harrell prediction: North Harrison 58, Jasper 29.
• Sagarin projection: North Harrison by 31.
• Outlook: North Harrison has quietly been quite good, including recent wins over Scottsburg and Heritage Hills.
• Greg’s pick: North Harrison 50, Jasper 35.
