By GREG MENGELT
When you’re the champions, sometimes you have to travel a distance to find suitable competition.
That’s what’s happening with Silver Creek on Friday when they travel 154 miles to visit Bowling Green, Kentucky, for the Hoosier Hills Hoops Game of the Night. It’s the season opener for the Purples, who are ranked sixth in Kentucky at the start of the 2021-22.
“This game will be a great measuring stick for where we are,” Silver Creek coach Scott Schoen said.
Where the Dragons are currently is at 7-0 and proving worthy defending state champions. Silver Creek is getting strong contributions from several players, including Lacey Tingle (17.5) and Meredith Wilkinson (14.5), who combined to average 32 points per game in Mid-Southern Conference wins over previously unbeaten Corydon Central and on the road against North Harrison.
Bowling Green, who was eliminated by eventual state champion Sacred Heart in last year’s Elite 8, is led by 6-foot-1 senior LynKaylah James, who averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds last season. She was Kentucky’s 14th District Player of the Year. Meadow Tisdale and Saniyah Shelton are also Division I talents.
“It’s a game that is on the road and provides a different challenge with their size,” Schoen said.
GAME OF THE NIGHT
SILVER CREEK (7-0) AT BOWLING GREEN (KY.) (0-0)
• Time: 8 p.m.
• Event: Independence Bank Tipoff Classic.
• Location: Bowling Green, Ky.
• Coaches:
Silver Creek — Scott Schoen (162-108 in 12th season at Silver Creek).
Bowling Green — Calvin Head (no record information available).
• Rankings:
Silver Creek — No. 12 IBCA (single class); No. 3 ICGSA (Class 3A).
Bowling Green — No. 5 Kentucky.
• Most recent game:
Silver Creek — Won at North Harrison 72-44 (Nov. 24).
Bowling Green — Lost to Sacred Heart 66-54 (April 9, Sweet 16, state quarterfinal).
• Last 20 years: First meeting.
• News and notes: Silver Creek is the defending 3A state champions, unbeaten at 7-0 with only one of those games not by double figures, but the Dragons are still only ranked third in their class. The two teams rated in front of them — South Bend Washington, which Creek beat to win last year’s state title, and Mishawaka Marian — both have losses this season. … This is the season opener for Bowling Green. The Purples went 19-11, including 12-1 in its region and 7-0 in its district, last season. They reached the Elite 8 of the state tournament.
• Outlook: The Dragons beat Jeffersonville by 4 points a couple of weeks ago, but this is a different level of competition. If Silver Creek beats the Purples, the rest of Indiana should watch out.
• Greg’s pick: Bowling Green 60, Silver Creek 55.
SOUTH CENTRAL (0-4) AT TELL CITY (2-7)
• Time: 6:30 p.m.
• Location: Bryan Taylor Sports Arena, Tell City.
• Coaches:
South Central — Lynne Thomas (3-38 in third season at South Central).
Tell City — Dallas Dugan (3-21 in second season at Tell City, 62-74 in seventh season overall).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
South Central — No. 369, No. 79 Class A.
Tell City — No. 344, No. 88 Class 2A.
• Most recent game:
South Central — Lost to Charlestown 74-9 (Nov. 20).
Tell City — Lost to Southridge 45-29 (Dec. 2).
• Last 20 years: 5-5. Tell City has won the last two times it has played South Central.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 6, 2019 — At Tell City 53, South Central 43.
• News and notes: The Rebels are 0-4 for the fourth year in a row. … South Central and Tell City did not meet last season.
• John Harrell prediction: Tell City 50, South Central 34.
• Sagarin projection: Tell City by 14.
• News and notes: After a 2-3 start, the Marksmen have dropped four straight games. … South Central is 0-4 for the fourth year in a row.
• Outlook: The Rebels should be able to hang with Tell City.
• Greg’s pick: Tell City 38, South Central 31.
