By GREG MENGELT
It hasn’t always been pretty for Floyd Central in 2021-22. Although the Highlanders have been consistently strong the defensive end of the floor, they have struggled to score at times.
Floyd (2-4) hosts Madison (4-3) in Wednesday’s Hoosier Hills Hoops Game of the Night. The Cubs started 0-2 but have won four of their last five, including a 69-28 victory over county-rival Southwestern (2-5) the day before Thanksgiving.
After putting up 71 points against Evansville Harrison in a 43-point win, the Highlanders have scored 56 points in their last two games combined against two of the top teams from a very strong Mid-Southern Conference.
Floyd Central coach Randy Gianfagna has liked his team’s effort so far. What he would like to see now is four consistent quarters from his team.
“Our team is getting better each day,” said the veteran coach, who is in his fourth season as the Highlander girls’ head coach. “We are working to put together a complete 32 (minute) game. We play well in stretches but have a quarter that puts us in a hole we have to dig out of.”
GAME OF THE NIGHT
MADISON (4-3) AT FLOYD CENTRAL (2-4)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Floyd Central H.S., Floyds Knobs.
• Coaches:
Madison — Sonja Bowyer (4-38 in fourth season at Madison).
Floyd Central — Randy Gianfagna (22-51 in fourth season at Floyd Central).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Madison — No. 164, No. 49 Class 3A
Floyd Central — No. 152, No. 65 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
Madison — Won at Southwestern 69-28 (Nov. 24).
Floyd Central — Lost to Eastern 41-33 (Nov. 24).
• Last 20 years: 10-10. Madison has won the last four games vs. the Highlanders.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 5, 2020 — At Madison 43, Floyd Central 23..
• News and notes: The Highlanders are 2-4 but have outscored their opponents 249-243 this season.
• John Harrell prediction: Floyd Central 48, Madison 40.
• Sagarin projection: Floyd Central by 6.
• Outlook: This is one of those games that truly could go either way, but we like the way the Cubs have played of late.
• Greg’s pick: Madison 42, Floyd Central 38.
AUSTIN (1-5, 0-2 MSC) AT CHARLESTOWN (4-2, 1-1)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Charlestown Sports Arena.
• Coaches:
Austin — Jared Petersen (232-169 in 17th season at Austin).
Charlestown — Scott Matthews (70-54 in sixth season at Charlestown).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Austin — No. 258, No. 65 Class 2A.
Charlestown — No. 62, No. 13 Class 3A.
• Most recent game:
Austin — Lost to Scottsburg 52-31 (Nov. 23).
Charlestown — Won at South Central 74-9 (Nov. 20).
• Last 20 years: Charlestown 13-12. The Pirates have won the last four against Austin.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 2, 2020 — Charlestown 74, at Austin 45.
• News and notes: Austin has lost five straight since opening the season with a 7-point win over Madison. … Charlestown coach Scott Matthews coached the Austin boys from 2000-2004.
• Outlook: Charlestown is being severely overlooked regionally and statewide … probably because of the one-sided loss to Silver Creek. Of course, the Dragons do that to almost everyone they face. This is a very good Pirate team.
• John Harrell prediction: Charlestown 61, Austin 26.
• Sagarin projection: Charlestown by 34.
• Greg’s pick: Charlestown 65, Austin 40.
