By GREG MENGELT
Some games are important because they have big stakes. Sometimes they’re big because they’re rivalries … or conference games … or sectional rivals.
Some games are significant because they’re considered toss-ups. A game that could go either way. There are two teams that appear to be even and the winner will be decided by which team executes better.
Throw two storied girls’ basketball programs — New Albany and Scottsburg — into the mix and you have the Hoosier Hills Hoops Game of the Night.
The Bulldogs are 4-6 and have lost five straight games, but the losses — all against top competition — hasn’t dampened second-year head coach Shelby Gliebe’s outlook.
”I am super proud of our girls and how they are playing right now,” she said. “We played a good game on Saturday (in a 58-45 loss at Bedford North Lawrence) and I just hope our girls see how much they are improving and the potential that we have.”
The Warriorettes’ come into Thursday’s showdown with New Albany at 6-4 with some good wins. They’ve beaten Brownstown Central (3-7), Trinity Lutheran (6-2), Lawrenceburg (7-4) and Floyd Central (3-5), for instance. But they’ve lost two of their last three and Scottsburg’s second-year head coach Carrie Daniels has seen inconsistency from her team.
“At times we have played some pretty good basketball, then at other times we have been sub-par,” Daniels said. “Still waiting to put a complete game together.”
Gliebe likes the progress the Warriorettes are making under Daniels.
“Scottsburg is a very good team and they are playing well right now,” Gliebe said. “We know that it is going to be a tough game on Thursday, but we really need a win at home before we start our stretch of road games.”
The Warriorettes dealt with some injuries, but players like sophomores Haley Thomas and Taneisha Griffin have given Scottsburg solid minutes. Griffin scored 6 points in the Warriorettes’ 49-43 win over Trinity Lutheran and Thomas scored 3 when Scottsburg knocked off Brownstown 60-53.
“We’ve had some injuries we are dealing with and asking a lot of some players that a year ago didn’t get a lot of minutes,” said Daniels, the former head coach at Austin Peay. “Haley Thomas is a player we have asked a lot of. She is one of our best defenders and has stepped up for our team. We have got to get some consistent play from our inside game. Taneisha Griffin has started to gain some confidence and earn more minutes down low for us.”
Daniels says she knows Thursday is a big game for her team.
“New Albany is playing with more confidence this season and we will have to be ready to go from the tip,” she said. “Our focus has to be on ourselves and what we need to do as a team to be successful.”
GAME OF THE NIGHT
SCOTTSBURG (6-4) AT NEW ALBANY (4-6)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Doghouse, New Albany H.S. (1020 Vincennes St., New Albany)
• Coaches:
Scottsburg — Carrie Daniels (14-19 in second season at Scottsburg, 117-75 in seventh season overall)
New Albany — Shelby Gliebe (10-22 in second season at New Albany, 14-41 in third season overall)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Scottsburg — No. 97, No. 24 Class 3A
New Albany — No. 123, No. 60 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
Scottsburg — Lost at Charlestown 44-36 (Dec. 7)
New Albany — Lost to Bedford North Lawerence 58-45 (Dec. 4)
Last 20 years: 10-10. New Albany has won 5 of 7 of the last 7, Scottsburg has won 2 of the last 3.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 10, 2020 — At Scottsburg 55, New Albany 34.
• News & notes: Freshman guard Ellie Richardson had a game-high 22 points in the Warriors’ loss at Charlestown on Tuesday. … New Albany led fourth-ranked BNL 15-13 after one quarter in its 58-45 loss to the Stars on Dec. 4. Senior Maleea Roland scored 26 of New Albany’s 45 points.
• John Harrell prediction: New Albany 49, Scottsburg 48.
• Sagarin projection: New Albany by 1.
• Outlook: This is definitely a 50/50 type game, but we’ll take the Bulldogs, who have a bit of an experience edge and the homecourt advantage.
• Greg’s pick: New Albany 54, Scottsburg 51.
SACRED HEART (KY.) (3-0) AT JEFFERSONVILLE (7-3)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: William S. Johnson Arena, Jeffersonville H.S. (2315 Allison Ln., Jeffersonville)
• Coaches:
Sacred Heart — Donna Moir (703 career wins)
Jeffersonville — Missy Voyles (13-15 in second season at Jeffersonville, 283-129 in 18th season overall)
• Rankings:
Sacred Heart — No. 1 in Kentucky Top 25 (57 of 61 1st-place votes)
• Most recent game:
Sacred Heart — Defeated Bardstown (Ky.) 81-60 (Dec. 7)
Jeffersonville — Won at Floyd Central (Dec. 4)
• Last 20 years: Sacred Heart 9-2. The Valkyries have won 6 in a row over Jeff.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 12 — Sacred Heart 55, at Jeffersonville 34.
• Outlook: Jeff has been pretty darn good early in the season, but the Valkyries are probably at a different level right now.
• Greg’s pick: Sacred Heart 63, Jeffersonville 41.
LANESVILLE (10-1, 1-0 SAC) AT BORDEN (5-2, 2-0)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Borden Junior-Senior H.S. (775 East Main St., Borden)
• Coaches:
Lanesville — Angie Hinton (72-16 in fourth season at Lanesville, 245-89 in 15th season overall)
Borden — Matt Vick (39-58 in fifth season at Borden)
• Rankings:
Lanesville — No. 4 AP (Class A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Lanesville — No. 75, No. 2 Class A
Borden — No. 322, No. 63 Class A
• Most recent game:
Lanesville — Defeated Paoli 61-32 (Dec. 7)
Borden — Defeated New Washington 56-52 (Nov. 30)
• Last 20 years: Borden 15-13. Lanesville has beaten the Braves 6 consecutive times.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 10, 2020 — At Lanesville 55, Borden 19.
• News & notes: With Borden and Lanesville the lone unbeaten teams in the SAC — though technically South Central is unbeaten since it hasn’t played a league game yet — this game is likely for the SAC championship. … Linzie Wernert had 11 points and 5 steals in 59-point win over Henryville on Saturday.
• John Harrell prediction: Lanesville 61, Borden 19.
• Sagarin projection: Lanesville by 36.
• Outlook: Lanesville is head and shoulders above the rest of the SAC.
• Greg’s pick: Lanesville 62, Borden 22.
PROVIDENCE (2-6) AT NORTH HARRISON (7-4)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: North Harrison H.S. (1070 Hwy. 64 N.W., Ramsey)
• Coaches:
Providence — Brad Burden (161-154 in 14th season at Providence)
North Harrison — Jamie Kolkmeier (19-10 in second season at North Harrison)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Providence — No. 343, No. 87 Class 2A
North Harrison — No. 110, No. 28 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Providence — Defeated South Central 66-25 (Dec. 7)
North Harrison — Lost to Gibson Southern 64-53 (River City Shoutout, University of Southern Indiana, Evansville, Dec. 4)
• Last 20 years: North Harrison 13-1. The Lady Cats have won 10 straight over Providence.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 9, 2020 — At North Harrison 46, Providence 35.
• News & notes: The Pioneers and Lady Cats did not face each other last season. They had played the previous four seasons. … Providence scored 27 points in the first quarter and 52 in the first half in their win Tuesday.
• John Harrell prediction: North Harrison 62, Providence 27.
• Sagarin projection: North Harrison by 41.
• Outlook: It really feels like Providence is one of the most improved teams from the beginning of the season, but this one will be all North Harrison.
• Greg’s pick: North Harrison 62, Providence 32.
WEST WASHINGTON (6-3) AT EASTERN (6-3)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Eastern H.S. (1100 N. Eastern School Rd., Pekin)
• Coaches:
West Washington — Matthew Myers (14-18 in second season at West Washington)
Eastern — Michael McBride (225-118 in 15th season at Eastern)
• Rankings:
Eastern — No. 14 AP (Class 2A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
West Washington — No. 280, No. 44 Class A
Eastern — No. 115, No. 21 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
West Washington — Won at Perry Central 41-30 (Dec. 6)
Eastern — Defeated Mitchell 44-42 (Dec. 7)
• Last 20 years: Eastern 23-2. The Musketeers have won the last 4 in the series.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 10, 2020 — Eastern 39, at West Washington 24.
• News & notes: The Musketeers led Mitchell 26-18 at halftime and held on in the second half despite being outscored 18-14 after halftime. Four Musketeers scored at least 7 points in the win — McKenna Jeter (11), Kyia McKinley (10), Kaylee McKinley (8) and Ava Sowder (7).
• John Harrell prediction: Eastern 50, West Washington 24.
• Sagarin projection: Eastern by 29.
• Outlook: It’s been a great start for West Washington. The Senators have simply beaten the teams they should beat. But Eastern isn’t one of those teams.
• Greg’s pick: Eastern 48, West Washington 27.
HENRYVILLE (2-5) AT CHARLESTOWN (7-2)
• Time: 6:30 p.m.
• Location: Charlestown Sports Arena (1 Pirate Place, Charlestown)
• Coaches:
Henryville — Tuesday Guernsey (17-32 in third season at Henryville)
Charlestown — Scott Matthews (73-54 in sixth season at Charlestown)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Henryville — No. 312, No. 79 Class 2A
Charlestown — No. 62, No. 13 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Henryville — Lost at Paoli 56-16 (Dec. 4)
Charlestown — Defeated Scottsburg 44-36 (Dec. 7)
• Last 20 years: Charlestown 15-1. The Pirates have beaten Henryville 5 times in a row.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 10, 2020 — Charlestown 41, at Henryville 30.
• News & notes: This game is now varsity only and begins at 6:30 p.m. … The Pirates trailed Scottsburg 20-13 at the half before taking control with a 20-7 advantage in the third quarter Tuesday. Kennedy Coleman (17) and Tatum McFarland (16) combined for 33 of Charlestown’s 44 points.
• John Harrell prediction: Charlestown 67, Henryville 15.
• Sagarin projection: Charlestown by 44.
• Outlook: The Pirates are probably going to score a lot of points.
• Greg’s pick: Charlestown 73, Henryville 34.
CLARKSVILLE (2-8) AT ROCK CREEK (6-4)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Rock Creek Gymnasium (8000 Diefenbach Ln., Sellersburg)
• Coaches:
Clarksville — Amanda Carmichael (10-24 in second season at Clarksville, 70-118 in ninth season overall)
Rock Creek — Sara Nord (8-13 in second season at Rock Creek)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Clarksville — No. 364, No. 95 Class 2A 20
Rock Creek — No. 307, No. 55 Class A
• Most recent game:
Clarksville — Lost to Christian Academy 35-26 (Dec. 7)
Rock Creek — Defeated Clay City 44-42 (North Daviess Invitationals, third-place game, Dec. 4)
• Last 20 years: Clarksville 19-5. Before Rock Creek’s win earlier this season, the Generals had won 3 in a row in the series.
• Most recent meeting: Nov. 16 — Rock Creek 44, at Clarksville 30.
• News & notes: This is the first game this year that’s a rematch between two of our local teams. … The Generals were just 2 for 13 in an 8-point loss to Christian Academy on Tuesday. Dahja Gaines had 15 points to lead Clarksville.
• John Harrell prediction: Rock Creek 47, Clarksville 31.
• Sagarin projection: Rock Creek by 19.
• Outlook: Looks like the Lions will have 7 wins through 11 games. Again, that’s after three wins combined the last two years.
• Greg’s pick: Rock Creek 48, Clarksville 39.
CROTHERSVILLE (2-6) AT SOUTH CENTRAL (0-6)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: South Central H.S. Main Gym (6675 E. Hwy. 11 S.E., Elizabeth)
• Coaches:
Crothersville — Kevin Hensley (115-165 in 13th season at Crothersville)
South Central — Lynne Thomas (3-40 in third season at South Central)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Crothersville — No. 375, No. 82 Class A
South Central — No. 369, No. 79 Class A
• Most recent game:
Crothersville — Won at Cannelton 69-28 (Dec. 3)
South Central — Lost at Providence 66-25 (Dec. 7)
• Last 20 years: South Central 17-4. Crothersville has won the last 3 vs. the Rebels.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 20 — At Cannelton 70, South Central 38.
• John Harrell prediction: Crothersville 50, South Central 40.
• Sagarin projection: South Central by 6.
• Outlook: The Rebels have a very good chance of getting their first win of the season.
• Greg’s pick: South Central 35, Crothersville 31.
AUSTIN (1-7) AT SWITZERLAND COUNTY (8-1)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Switzerland County H.S. (1020 W. Main St., Vevay)
• Coaches:
Austin — Jared Petersen (232-171 in 17th season at Austin)
Switzerland County — Brooke Todd (8-1 in first season at Switzerland County)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Austin — No. 258, No. 65 Class 2A 44
Switzerland County — No. 211, No. 52 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
Austin — Lost to Corydon Central 58-37 (Dec. 8)
Switzerland County — Won at Christian Academy 47-37 (Dec. 4)
• Last 20 years: 2-2. Both of the Pacers wins have come in the postseason, both of the Eagles came in holiday tournaments.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 29, 2016 — Austin 62, Switzerland County 49 (Rumble on the River, Hanover)
• News & notes: Jessie Duvall had 18 points and Maddie Duvall had 8 in the Pacers’ 47-37 win over Christian Academy. … The Pacers have won 7 games in a row after an early loss to Madison.
• John Harrell prediction: Switzerland County 46, Austin 40.
• Sagarin projection: Switzerland County by 13.
• Outlook: Despite the records, this should be a very competitive game. But we’ll take the Pacers with the homecourt advantage.
• Greg’s pick: Switzlerland County 56, Austin 48.
CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (3-8) AT TRINITY LUTHERAN (6-2)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Trinity Lutheran H.S. (1 Trinity Way, Seymour)
• Coaches:
CAI — Carson Casey (11-43 in third season at CAI)
Trinity Lutheran — Mike Lang (173-80 in 11th season at Trinity Lutheran)
• Rankings:
Trinity Lutheran — No. 5 AP (Class A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
CAI — No. 367, No. 77 Class A
Trinity Lutheran — No. 186, No. 21 Class A 63
• Most recent game:
CAI — Won at Clarksville 35-26 (Dec. 7)
Trinity Lutheran — Lost at South Ripley 47-27 (Dec. 7)
• Last 20 years: Trinity Lutheran 14-2. The Cougars have won 10 straight in the series.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 10, 2020 — Trinity Lutheran 77, at CAI 7.
• News & notes: The Warriors shut out Clarksville in the first quarter of their 35-26 win Tuesday. … CAI went 18 for 24 from the free throw line in the victory over Clarksville. … CAI junior forward Lilly Yates had 9 points against Providence and she had 10 points against Switzerland County. “Lilly played tough and physical last week against strong opponents,” Warriors coach Carson Casey said. “She played excellent post defense against Switzerland County while also being able to contribute offensively.”
• John Harrell prediction: Trinity Lutheran 59, Christian Academy 24.
• Sagarin projection: Trinity Lutheran by 40.
• Outlook: The Cougars may be in the top 3 in the Class A region.
• Greg’s pick: Trinity Lutheran 66, Christian Academy 31.
