By GREG MENGELT

Any time a state championship contender rolls into town it’s a big deal.

On Saturday, Zionsville brings a 3-0 record, a No. 2 ranking and an experienced, balanced roster into New Albany to face the 2-1 Bulldogs are coming off a 61-59 come-from-behind victory over Evansville Harrison (0-2) on Friday evening at the Doghouse.

Zionsville also played Friday, grabbing a 65-63 double-overtime win over Westfield (1-1) on Friday evening. It’s an Eagles team that does a lot of things well. They’re led by 6-foot-9 junior Nick Richart, 6-8 senior Isaiah Davis and 6-4 guard Logan Imes. The Eagles have four players back who averaged at least 7 points a game on last year’s 14-8 squad.

“They are very big, very skilled and very deep,” New Albany head coach Jim Shannon said. “It will be a difficult assignment for us to match up against their size.”

New Albany, which trailed Harrison by 13 points in the first half Friday, got clutch free throws from Josten Carter and Tucker Biven in the final 6 seconds of the victory. The Bulldogs have several big games in 2021-22, including a contest with No. 1 Cathedral on Jan. 8, but Zionsville provides a big early test.

“This game is important,” Shannon said. “It will certainly tell us where we stand with regards to playing an elite team in the state.”

GAME OF THE NIGHT
ZIONSVILLE (3-0) AT NEW ALBANY (2-1)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: The Doghouse, New Albany H.S. (1020 Vincennes St., New Albany)
• Coaches:
Zionsville — J.R. Howell (17-8 in second season at Zionsville, 60-60 in sixth season overall).
New Albany — Jim Shannon (431-128 in 24th season at New Albany, 596-267 in 38th season overall).
• Rankings:
Zionsville — No. 2 IBCA (single class); No. 2 AP (Class 4A).
• Most recent game:
Zionsville — Won at Westfield 67-65, 2 OT (Dec. 3).
New Albany — Defeated Evansville Harrison 61-59 (Dec. 3).
• Last 20 years: Zionsville 2-1.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 12, 2020 — At Zionsville 58, New Albany 28.
• News and notes: Josten Carter made a free throw o break a tie with 6.2 seconds left in Friday’s win. Carter led the Bulldogs with 19 points. … Zionsville opened its season with a 45-42 win over defending state champion Carmel. The Eagles three wins are by a combined 6 points, including Friday’s double-overtime win over Westfield.
• Outlook: New Albany could have equal skill and talent, but the Bulldogs can’t match the Eagles’ experience.
• Greg’s pick: Zionsville 62, New Albany 53.

JEFFERSONVILLE (1-0) VS. WALNUT HILLS (OHIO) (1-1)
• Time: 6 p.m.
• Event: BodyArmor Showcase.
• Location: Charlestown Sports Arena (1 Pirate Place, Charlestown)
• Coaches:
Jeffersonville — Andrew Grantz (16-7 in second season at Jeff, 104-49 in seventh season overall).
Walnut Hills — Ricardo Hill (coaching record unavailable).
• Rankings:
Jeffersonville — No. 11 IBCA (single class); No. 12 AP (Class 4A).
• Most recent game:
Jeffersonville — Defeated Evansville North 61-47 (Dec. 3).
Walnut Hills — Defeated Kings (Ohio) 63-49 (Dec. 3).
• Last 20 years: First meeting.
• News and notes: Senior Brandon Rayzer-Moore had 33 points in Friday’s win over North. Fifeen of his 33 came in the third quarter, helping Jeff erase an 8-point halftime deficit. Jeff outscored the Huskies 47-24 after the half. … Walnut Hills went 17-4 last year, including a 9-game winning streak in January/Feburary. The Eagles are led by sophomore Tyler McKinley, who is averaging 21.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2 blocks and is being pursued by several Division I schools, including Cincinnati, Kansas State and South Carolina.
• Outlook: It’s hard to know what to expect, but Indiana is better than Ohio, so we’ll take Jeff.
• Greg’s pick: Jeffersonville 66, Walnut Hills 60.

FLOYD CENTRAL (1-0) VS. EVANSVILLE HARRISON (0-2)
• Time: 4:40 p.m.
• Event: River City Showcase.
• Location: University of Southern Indiana (8600 University Blvd., Evansville)
• Coaches:
Floyd Central — Todd Sturgeon (123-40 in eighth season at Floyd Central).
Harrison — Nathan Fleenor (60-57 in sixth season at Harrison).
• Most recent game:
Floyd Central — Won at Meade County (Ky.) 51-34 (Nov. 30).
Harrison — Lost at New Albany 61-59 (Dec. 3).
• Last 20 years: Harrison 13-6. Floyd has beating the Warriors the last 6 meetings.
• Most recent meeting: Nov. 30, 2019 — Floyd Central 67, Harrison 47..
• News and notes: There are 28 teams in Class 4A that got at least one vote from the AP, and somehow, Floyd Central wasn’t one of them. … The Highlanders held Meade County to 3 points in the second quarter then outscored the Green Wave 20-9 in the fourth quarter of their season-opening win. Caleb Washington’s 14 points led Floyd. … Harrison’s leading scorer was Darius Suggs with 19 points Friday at New Albany. Johnny Summers had 17. … Floyd and Harrison did not play last season. … Floyd-Harrison is one of seven games at USI Saturday. They’re preceded by Forest Park-Memorial girls and followed by Castle-Madisonville-North Hopkins (Ky.) boys.
• Outlook: Floyd has a chance to be the area’s top 4A team. If they are, this is a win the Highlanders must get.
• Greg’s pick: Floyd Central 55, Harrison 52.

PROVIDENCE (2-0) AT BORDEN (2-1)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Borden Junior-Senior H.S. (301 West St., Borden)
• Coaches:
Providence — Ryan Miller (32-16 in third season at Providence).
Borden — Doc Nash (206-150 in 16th season at Borden).
• Rankings:
Providence — No. 34 AP (Class 2A).
• Most recent game:
Providence — Won at Austin 60-40 (Dec. 3).
Borden — Won at Lanesville 52-30 (Dec. 3).
• Last 20 years: Providence 3-0.
• Most recent meeting: At Feb. 17, 2004 — At Providence 76, Borden 33.
• Outlook: Great win by Borden on Friday. Providence appears to be at a different level.
• Greg’s pick: Providence 64, Borden 45.

HOLY CROSS (KY.) (1-0) AT CHARLESTOWN (1-2)
• Time: 1 p.m.
• Event: BodyArmor Showcase.
• Location: Charlestown Sports Arena (1 Pirate Place, Charlestown)
• Coaches:
Holy Cross — Jody Thornsberry (coaching record unavailable).
Charlestown — Matt Lynch (1-2 in first season at Charlestown, 70-52 in sixth season overall).
• Most recent game:
Holy Cross — Defeated South Central 73-49 (Nov. 30).
Charlestown — Lost to Scottsburg 63-27 (Dec. 3).
• Last 20 years: First meeting.
• Outlook: Lynch will surely get Charlestown headed in the right direction, but the Pirates have a way to go.
• Greg’s pick: Holy Cross 69, Charlestown 62.

HENRYVILLE (0-2) AT SALEM (1-1)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Brooks Memorial Gymnasium, Salem H.S. (700 N. Harrison St., Salem)
• Coaches:
Henryville — Jared Hill (91-78 in eighth season at Henryville).
Salem — Duane Malloy (1-1 in first season at Salem).
• Most recent game:
Henryville — Lost to Paoli 51-42 (Dec. 3).
Salem — Lost to Brownstown 72-40 (Nov. 30).
• Last 20 years: Salem 5-1.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 5, 2020 — Salem 55, at Henryville 51.
• News and notes: Salem starting 1-12 last season. The Lions’ only wi before Jan. 29 came in their second game when they beat Henryville by 4 points.
• Outlook: It would be big for Malloy and Salem to start 2-1 after just four wins a year ago.
• Greg’s pick: Salem 49, Henryville 43.

CRAWFORD COUNTY (0-3) AT CLARKSVILLE (1-1)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Clarksville H.S. Main Gym (800 Dr. Dot Lewis Drive, Clarksville)
• Coaches:
Crawford County — Jerry Hanger Jr. (3-20 in second season at Crawford).
Clarksville — Kyle Hankins (1-1 in first season at Clarksville).
• Most recent game:
Crawford County — Lost to Mitchell 61-51 (Dec. 3).
Clarksville — Defeated Christian Academy 67-52 (Nov. 27).
• Last 20 years: Clarksville 6-3. The Generals won its last two matchups against Crawford.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 27 — Clarksville 61, at Crawford County 57.
• Outlook: If the Generals are as good as we think they are, they should run away with this win.
• Greg’s pick: Clarksville 66, Crawford County 56.

MADISON (0-2) AT CORYDON CENTRAL (1-2)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Corydon Central H.S. (375 Country Club Rd., Corydon)
• Coaches:
Madison — Adam Stotts (0-2 in first season at Madison).
Corydon Central — Joseph Hinton (22-28 in third season at Corydon Central).
• Most recent game:
Madison — Lost at Jennings County 101-72 (Dec. 3).
Corydon Central — Lost at North Harrison 65-41 (Dec. 3).
• Last 20 years: Madison 10-6. The Cubs have won 3 straight in the series.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 2 — At Madison 71, Corydon Central 57.
• News and notes: Madison is giving up 91.5 points per game.
• Outlook: Good chance for the Panthers to pick up a quality win.
• Greg’s pick: Corydon Central 70, Madison 68.

JENNINGS COUNTY (1-1) AT ROCK CREEK (1-0)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Rock Creek Gymnasium, 8000 Diefenbach Ln., Sellersburg)
• Coaches:
Jennings County — Josh Land (53-70 in sixth season at Jennings).
Rock Creek — Chris Brown (349-281 in 26th season at Rock Creek).
• Rankings:
Rock Creek — No. 22 AP (Class 4A).
• Most recent game:
Jennings County — Defeated Madison 101-72 (Dec. 3).
Rock Creek — Lost at Columbus North 58-52 (Nov. 26).
• Last 20 years: Jennings County 8-0.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 5, 2020 — At Jennings County 70, Rock Creek 55.
• News and notes: This is one of two games against 4A competition this year for the Lions. They also face Jeffersonville on Feb. 3. … Rock Creek head coach Chris Brown is one win away from career win No. 350.
• Outlook: It would be big for Rock Creek to get a win against a 4A team. We’re not predicting it, but we believe it could happen.
• Greg’s pick: Jennings County 71, Rock Creek 63.

LANESVILLE (0-3) AT PAOLI (1-0)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Paoli H.S. (501 Elm St., Paoli)
• Coaches:
Lanesville — Mikel Miller (287-212 in 22nd season at Lanesville).
Paoli — Dusty Cole (144-68 in 10th season at Paoli).
• Most recent game:
Lanesville — Lost to Borden 52-30 (Dec. 3).
Paoli — Won at Henryville 51-42 (Dec. 3).
• Last 20 years: Paoli 12-7. The Rams have won 5 of the last 6 against Lanesville.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 5, 2020 — At Lanesville 39, Paoli 30.
• News and notes: With a loss, Lanesville would be 0-4 for the first time since 2007-08. That season the Eagles finished 12-9 and had a 7-game winning streak in January and February. … Paoli has double-digit wins in all nine of Cole’s season as head coach.
• Outlook: We still expect Lanesville to be competitive in the sectional in March, but the Eagles are going through an unexpectedly slow start.
• Greg’s pick: Paoli 59, Lanesville 46.