By GREG MENGELT

There have been some good games so far. Some fantastic finishes. (Shout out, Big Boy Dobbs!). Some stellar matchups.

But there haven’t been any heavily-anticipated local slates anything like the one for Friday.

First, New Albany (2-2) takes on Floyd Central (2-0) for Floyd County Supremacy (for now). The Highlanders appear to be the early Hoosier Hills and sectional favorites, but the Bulldogs did just hang with No. 1 Zionsville, so at this point the winner is anyone’s guess. It’s still very early, but the winner takes a big step toward the HHC championship and the title of early sectional favorite (whether the coaches like it or not).

Jeffersonville (1-1) goes to Seymour (3-1) in its Hoosier Hills Conference opener. That can usually be chalked up as an easy win for the Red Devils, even in the Owls’ place. Not this year. Seymour is coming off a win at Franklin and looks like a formidable foe. As for the Devils, they looked anything but formidable in Saturday’s loss to a very good Cincinnati Walnut Hills team. Whether Will Lovings-Watts returns this weekend or not, Jeff has to play better than that to be seen as the team to beat in Southern Indiana as it was predicted to be before the season began.

It might be an early knock-out game, as far as the HHC race is concerned. There’s a similar situation in the Mid-Southern Conference on Friday night.

Last year, North Harrison (3-0) won the league title by beating Silver Creek (2-1) in the regular season. Of course, the Dragons had the last laugh with a hard-fought sectional victory over the Cougars and eventually a place on center stage as 3A state champions at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

Despite losing Langdon Hatton, the Cougars have looked every bit as strong as Silver Creek in the first couple weeks of the season. But can they win in Sellersburg? That will be interesting to find out.

No doubt Silver Creek-North Harrison is the Game of the Night in the MSC. The programs have earned that respect over the last handful of years. But perhaps the most interesting game is Scottsburg (3-0) at Brownstown Central (2-0). The Dragons and Cougars are the favorites, but the winner of this one certainly emerges as a serious contender to the MSC crown. I’m not sure anyone thought the Warriors would be in the race. Probably not Brownstown either, but certainly not Scottsburg. The two teams were 20-25 combined last season.

A big game in Class A pits Rock Creek (1-1) against Christian Academy (1-1). There doesn’t appear to be a significant favorite in the local Class A sectional. (Borden (2-2) has probably looked the best so far. New Washington (1-1) has a ton of potential. We don’t expect Lanesville (0-4) to continue being winless and South Central (1-2) is no slouch.) On Friday, the Warriors and Lions have a chance to make a statement that the winner belongs in the conversation.

Clarksville (2-1) and Charlestown (2-3) face off in an often-played rivalry that goes back a century. Borden has a chance to take control of the SAC with a win over South Central. Providence (3-0) puts its unblemished mark on the line against Lanesville. Also, Henryville (1-3) visits Austin (0-3) and Eastern (2-1) hosts Crawford County (0-4).

There are intriguing matchups everywhere. Pick your spot. It’s going to be a great Friday night wherever you choose to go.

GAME OF THE NIGHT
NEW ALBANY (2-2, 0-0 HHC) AT FLOYD CENTRAL (2-0, 0-0)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Joe Hinton Court, Floyd Central H.S. (6575 Old Vincennes Rd., Floyds Knobs)
• Coaches:
New Albany — Jim Shannon (431-129 in 24th season at New Albany, 596-268 in 38th season overall)
Floyd Central — Todd Sturgeon (124-40 in eighth season at Floyd Central)
• Most recent game:
New Albany — Lost to Zionsville 63-56, OT (Dec. 4)
Floyd Central — Defeated Evansville Harrison 64-60, OT (River City Showcase, University of Southern Indiana, Evansville, Dec. 4)
• Last 20 years: New Albany 24-4. The two teams have split the last 6 meetings.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 11, 2020 — At New Albany 43, Floyd Central 39.
• News & notes: This game — along with Jeffersonville at Seymour and Columbus East at BNL being played simultaneously — is the first game of the Hoosier Hills Conference season. … The Bulldogs trailed Harrison by 13 points in the first half before rallying for their second win of the season. Jayden Thompson’s steal and Josten Carter’s free throw with 6.2 seconds left was the difference. Carter scored 18 of his game-high 22 points in the second half of Friday’s victory. … 1997 New Albany graduate Chad Hunter was one of 18 players named to the Indiana Hall of Fame Silver Anniversary team Tuesday. … The Highlanders won in overtime Saturday after 7-footer Wesley Celichowski scored as time expired to force the extra session. The desperation play came off a perfect inbounds pass from Max Tripure to Celichowski, who scored 6 of his 17 points in overtime.
• John Harrell prediction: Floyd Central 56, New Albany 48.
• Outlook: All evidence points to a close game. All evidence points to the Highlanders winner. We’ll go that way, The homecourt advantage has swayed us.
• Greg’s pick: Floyd Central 61, New Albany 56.

NORTH HARRISON (3-0, 1-0 MSC) AT SILVER CREEK (2-1, 1-0)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Silver Creek H.S. (557 Renz Ave., Sellersburg)
• Coaches:
North Harrison — Lou Lefevre (39-10 in third season at North Harrison, 304-90 in 18th season overall)
Silver Creek — Brandon Hoffman (203-74 in 12th season at Silver Creek)
• Rankings:
North Harrison — No. 5 AP (Class 3A).
Silver Creek — No. 7 AP (Class 3A).
• Most recent game:
North Harrison — Defeated Corydon Central 65-41 (Dec. 3)
Silver Creek — Lost at Columbus North 52-35 (Dec. 3)
• Last 20 years: Silver Creek 19-6. The Dragons have won 10 of the last 11 against North Harrison.
• Most recent meeting: March 5 — Silver Creek 44, North Harrison 41 (Class 3A Charlestown Sectional semifinal)
• News & notes: The Cougars and Dragons played twice last year with both teams winning once. North Harrison won at home on Dec. 11 on its way to the MSC title. Of course, the Dragons won in the sectional semifinal en route to a state championships. … Logan McIntire (24) and Kaleb Kellems (21) combined for 45 points in the Cougars’ 65-41 win over Corydon Central in the Big Cat Classic on Friday. … 1997 Silver Creek graduate Matt Renn was one of 18 players named to the Indiana Hall of Fame Silver Anniversary team Tuesday.
• John Harrell prediction: Silver Creek 52, North Harrison 48.
• Outlook: North Harrison may have the better team … even on the road.
• Greg’s pick: North Harrison 50, Silver Creek 48.

JEFFERSONVILLE (1-1, 0-0 HHC) AT SEYMOUR (3-1, 0-0)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Lloyd E. Scott Gymnasium, Seymour H.S. (1350 W. Second St., Seymour)
• Coaches:
Jeffersonville — Andrew Grantz (16-8 in second season at Jeffersonville, 104-50 in seventh season overall)
Seymour — Kirk Manns (21-28 in third season at Seymour)
• Rankings:
Jeffersonville — No. 15 IBCA (single class); No. 17 AP (Class 4A).
• Most recent game:
Jeffersonville — Lost to Walnut Hills (Ohio) 74-50 (BodyArmor Showcase, Charlestown, Dec. 4)
Seymour — Won at Franklin 57-47 (Dec. 4)
• Last 20 years: Jeffersonville 24-3. The Red Devils have a 6-game winning streak vs. Seymour.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 9 — At Jeffersonville 64, Seymour 46.
• News & notes: This game — along with New Albany at Floyd Central and Columbus East at BNL being played simultaneously — is the first game of the Hoosier Hills Conference season. … The Red Devils dropped from No. 12 to No. 15 in the latest single-class coaches poll. … Eli Meyer scored 12 points and Landon Fitch added 11 in the Owls’ 57-47 win over Franklin last Saturday. Marcus Brooks scored 23 points for the Owls in their big 56-46 win over Franklin on Nov. 27. … Manns played four seasons at Michigan State, scoring 1,212 points for the Spartans.
• John Harrell prediction: Jeffersonville 61, Seymour 52.
• Outlook: Seymour may be pretty darn good. The Owls are a double-overtime loss from being unbeaten against a solid schedule. With or without Will Lovings-Watts, Jeff’s going to have to be at its best to win this one. That’s rarely been the case when the Red Devils visit Seymour.
• Greg’s pick: Jeffersonville 59, Seymour 54.

SCOTTSBURG (3-0, 3-0 MSC) AT BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL (2-0, 1-0)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Brownstown Central H.S. (500 N. Elm St., Brownstown)
• Coaches:
Scottsburg — Eric Richardson (9-18 in second season at Scottsburg)
Brownstown — Dave Benter (405-153 in 24th season at Brownstown)
• Rankings:
Brownstown — No. 11 AP (Class 3A).
• Most recent game:
Scottsburg — Won at Charlestown 63-27 (Dec. 3)
Brownstown — Won at Seymour 62-55, OT (Dec. 3)
• Last 20 years: Brownstown Central 19-2. The Braves have won 12 of the last 13 against Scottsburg.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 11, 2020 — Brownstown 59, at Scottsburg 57.
• News & notes: There have been 6 MSC games played. Scottsburg has won 3 of them. How’s that for a fast start in conference play? … Of course, Brownstown is one of four unbeaten MSC teams, along with North Harrison and Silver Creek, who also play Friday night, and the Warriors. Big night in the MSC, to say the least. … The Warriors had 5 players with at least 8 points in their 36-point win over Charlestown. Sophomore Kody Clancy and senior Hayden Cutter scored 12 apiece and freshman Colby Hall had 11 in the victory. … Scottsburg allowed 9 points in the first quarter against Charlestown. That was the most the Pirates scored against the Warriors in any quarter. … Jack Benter scored 36 points in the Braves’ 62-55 overtime victory over rival Seymour on Dec. 3.
• John Harrell prediction: Brownstown 59, Scottsburg 50.
• Outlook: If Scottsburg wins this one, the Warriors are a serious Mid-Southern Conference contender. Few teams have come away with a win at Brownstown and not at least contended for the conference title the past 20 years.
• Greg’s pick: Brownstown 70, Scottsburg 62.

CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (1-1) AT ROCK CREEK (1-1)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Rock Creek Gymnasium, Rock Creek Academy (8000 Diefenbach Ln., Sellersburg)
• Coaches:
CAI — Hayden Casey (10-18 in second season at CAI)
Rock Creek — Chris Brown (349-282 in 26th season at Rock Creek)
• Most recent game:
CAI — Won at Portland Christian 95-67 (Nov. 29)
Rock Creek — Lost to Jennings County 55-48 (Dec. 4)
• Last 20 years: Christian Academy 15-9. The Warriors have won 6 straight in the series.
• Most recent meeting: March 2 — Christian Academy 62, Rock Creek 49 (Class A Borden Sectional first round)
• News & notes: Rock Creek coach Chris Brown can reach 350 career wins tonight. He would be one of only 30 active coaches to achieve that milestone. … The Warriors and Lions played twice last year with the Warriors winning the regular-season game by 3 and the sectional showdown by 13. … CAI hasn’t played a game in 11 days, thanks to a postponements. … The Lions trailed 4A Jennings County by just 2 points, 41-39, through 3 quarters of their 55-48 defeat on Saturday.
• John Harrell prediction: Rock Creek 68, Christian Academy 52.
• Outlook: It seems both of these teams are really good. Both are capable of winning the Class A sectional at the end of the year. Man, there are a ton of big games tonight.
• Greg’s pick: Rock Creek 70, Christian Academy 66.

CLARKSVILLE (2-1) AT CHARLESTOWN (2-3)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Charlestown Sports Arena, Charlestown H.S. (1 Pirate Place, Charlestown)
• Coaches:
Clarksville — Kyle Hankins (2-1 in first season at Clarksville)
Charlestown — Matt Lynch (2-3 in first season at Charlestown, 71-53 in sixth season overall)
• Most recent game:
Clarksville — Defeated Crawford County 55-47 (Dec. 4)
Charlestown — Won at Henryville 34-33, OT (Dec. 7)
• Last 20 years: Clarksville 21-12. The Generals have won the last 3 vs. Charlestown.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 29, 2020 — Clarksville 75, Charlestown 61 (Silver Creek Holiday Tournament semifinal).
• News & notes: Dakota Capps had a team-high 18 points in the Generals’ 55-47 win over Crawford County on Saturday. Clarksville outscored the Wolfpack 16-6 in the third quarter of the win. … The Generals’ game against Southwestern has been moved to Dec. 14. The game will be played at Clarksville with a JV start time of 6 p.m.
• John Harrell prediction: Clarksville 56, Charlestown 45.
• Outlook: Clarksville looks like the better team early, but we wouldn’t be surprised at all if Lynch turns the Pirates into a respectable bunch by the end of the year.
• Greg’s pick: Clarksville 65, Charlestown 56.

BORDEN (2-2, 1-0 SAC) AT SOUTH CENTRAL (1-2, 0-0)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: South Central H.S. Main Gym (6675 E. Hwy. 11 S.E., Elizabeth)
• Coaches:
Borden — Doc Nash (206-151 in 16th season at Borden)
South Central — Greg Robinson (174-170 in 16th season at South Central, 196-233 in 20th season overall)
• Most recent game:
Borden — Lost to Providence 47-45 (Dec. 4)
South Central — Lost at Holy Cross (Ky.) 73-49 (Nov. 30)
• Last 20 years: Borden 18-7. South Central has won 2 of the last 3 vs. the Braves.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 11, 2020 — At Borden 70, South Central 52.
• News & notes: Borden currently owns the only 2021-22 SAC victory. The Braves will have played four of their five conference games by Jan. 7. … The Braves are the first SAC team to pick up a conference win this season … and it was a big one. Borden held defending conference champion Lanesville to 28 percent shooting in the 22-point victory. … There were only 10 total free throws in Lanesville’s loss to Borden. The Braves were 4 for 6.. … Borden will face West Washington in the first round of the Washington County Invitational at Salem on Dec. 17. Eastern will face the host Lions in the other semifinal. The winners and losers will meet Dec. 18 in the championship and consolation games.
• John Harrell prediction: Borden 56, South Central 50.
• Outlook: Borden appear to be the SAC’s best team at the point, but South Central certainly won’t make it easy.
• Greg’s pick: Borden 59, South Central 51.

PROVIDENCE (3-0) AT LANESVILLE (0-4)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Lanesville H.S. (2725 Crestview Ave. N.E., Lanesville)
• Coaches:
Providence — Ryan Miller (33-16 in third season at Providence)
Lanesville — Mikel Miller (287-213 in 22nd season at Lanesville)
• Rankings:
Providence — No. 19 AP (Class 2A).
• Most recent game:
Providence — Won at Borden 47-45 (Dec. 4)
Lanesville — Lost at Paoli 60-33 (Dec. 4)
• Last 20 years: Providence 6-0.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 11, 2020 — At Providence 52, Lanesville 31.
• News & notes: Providence outscored Borden 17-13 in the fourth quarter to pull out the victory. … Jack Crosby scored nine points to lead the Eagles in scoring in Friday’s 52-30 SAC loss to Borden. All nine Crosby points came on a trio of 3-pointers. … The Eagles shot just 28 percent from the floor in the defeat. … There were only 10 total free throws in Lanesville’s loss to Borden. The Eagles were 3 for 4.
• John Harrell prediction: Providence 58, Lanesville 37.
• Outlook: It was a rough weekend for Lanesville. Providence isn’t going to be any less rough.
• Greg’s pick: Providence 60, Lanesville 40.

HENRYVILLE (1-3) AT AUSTIN (0-3)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Rigel Gymnasium (401 S. Hwy. 31, Austin)
• Coaches:
Henryville — Jared Hill (92-79 in eighth season at Henryville)
Austin — Randy Edwards (35-65 in fifth season at Austin)
• Most recent game:
Henryville — Lost to Charlestown 34-33, OT (Dec. 7)
Austin — Lost to Providence 60-40 (Dec. 3)
• Last 20 years: 11-11. Henryville has won 5 of the last 6 in the series.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 11, 2020 — At Henryville 58, Austin 53.
• News & notes: Henryville was outscored 3-2 in Tuesday’s overtime session against Charlestown. … Layton Walton had 14 points to lead Henryville in Tuesday’s loss.
• John Harrell prediction: Henryville 52, Austin 51.
• Outlook: The teams are a combined 1-6, but this will almost certainly be one of the most competitive games of the night.
• Greg’s pick: Austin 62, Henryville 58.

CRAWFORD COUNTY (0-4) AT EASTERN (2-1)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Eastern H.S. (1100 N. Eastern School Rd., Pekin)
• Coaches:
Crawford County — Jerry Hanger Jr. (3-21 in second season at Crawford County)
Eastern — Chandler Prible (14-14 in second season at Eastern)
• Most recent game:
Crawford County — Lost at Clarksville 55-47 (Dec. 4)
Eastern — Defeated West Washington 59-46 (Dec. 3)
• Last 20 years: Crawford County 14-5. The Wolpack have won the last 4 against Eastern.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 11, 2020 — At Crawford County 68, Eastern 58.
• News & notes: Cade Jones had 17 points, 9 rebounds and a pair of assists in Eastern’s win over West Washington on Dec. 3. Jacob Cherry had a double-double of 15 points and 11 boards and Kaiden Temple had a well-rounded game with 8 points, 7 assists and 4 boards. … Eastern will face the host Lions in the first round of the Washington County Invitational at Salem on Dec. 17. Borden will face West Washington in the other semifinal. The winners and losers will meet Dec. 18 in the championship and consolation games.
• John Harrell prediction: Eastern 61, Crawford County 48.
• Outlook: Eastern was a bit unexpectedly stunned at Scottsburg, but this is a good Musketeer team. They’re going to win a lot of games.
• Greg’s pick: Eastern 69, Crawford County 57.