By GREG MENGELT

Friday’s Hoosier Hills Hoops Game of the Night is a matchup of two teams with big early wins that are coming off tough losses.

Providence (4-1) and Floyd Central (3-1) were both unbeaten until Saturday night. The Pioneers had four strong wins, including three straight on the road, until Friday when the Pioneers lost a late lead in a 65-64 loss to Scottsburg.

“We will need to bounce back and build from a game in which we played some of our best ball of this early season,” Providence coach Ryan Miller said. “Our boys stepped up in many ways, yet somehow we let it slip away down the stretch against a very talented Scottsburg team. We feel confident that our boys will take the many positives from that performance and learn from the areas that could use improvement which cost us that game. Although that loss stings, we know the ultimate goal is to keep improving, stay positive and grow as a team through the course of the season.

Floyd started the season with a pair of solid road wins before blowing out New Albany 57-26 at home on Friday. The next night, the Highlanders suffered their first loss, 64-59 at Jeffersontown (Ky.) in overtime.

“Floyd Central appears to be among the top teams in the area and beyond this year,” Miller said. “Their size is tremendous, likely one of the biggest teams in the state. So, that is definitely a challenge in and of itself. They also have quality guard play with big guards who can shoot the ball, along with very solid point guard play. They have size and depth off the bench as well. And Coach Sturgeon is one of the best around. So, quite honestly, they have no glaring areas of weakness and a lot of strengths.”

Although the Pioneers face a tough schedule this season, they only play three games against 4A teams. Games against programs like New Albany, Jeffersonville and Floyd should help Providence improve, no matter the outcome of Friday’s game.

“Games against top-tier teams like Floyd Central are the ones we want to play, because they make you step up your level of play and they make you better,” Miller said. “We always look forward to a challenging game against a quality opponent — and Floyd Central is certainly that.”

GAME OF THE NIGHT
FLOYD CENTRAL (3-1) AT PROVIDENCE (4-1)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Larkin Center, Our Lady of Providence (707 Providence Way, Clarksville)
• Coaches:
Floyd Central — Todd Sturgeon (125-41 in eighth season at Floyd)
Providence — Ryan Miller (34-17 in third season at Providence)
• Rankings:
Providence — No. 19 AP (Class 2A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Floyd Central — No. 53, No. 33 Class 4A 78
Providence — No. 75, No. 10 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
Floyd Central — Lost at Jeffersontown (Ky.) 64-59, OT (Dec. 11)
Providence — Lost to Scottsburg 65-64 (Dec. 11)
• Last 20 years: Providence 11-9. Floyd has won 5 straight over the Pioneers.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 18, 2020 — At Floyd Central 62, Providence 40
• News & notes: The Highlanders were outscored 10-5 in overtime of Saturday’s 5-point loss at Jeffersontown. Senior guard Brady Moore led Floyd with 13 points and 8 rebounds in the loss. … Floyd will face Pike (3-1) at 3:15 p.m. on Dec. 28 in the first game of the Paul Logan Memorial Invitational at North Central in Indianapolis. The following day, the Highlanders will play against Avon (1-3) at 10 a.m. … The Pioneers were outscored 26-18 in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s 1-point loss to Scottsburg. Casey Kaelin had a game-high 21 points in the win. Jaden Johnson added 13 and Quentin Hesse had 9 in the loss.
• John Harrell prediction: Floyd Central 54, Providence 48.
• Sagarin projection: Providence by 1.
• Outlook: Floyd almost certainly has the better team, but Providence is very good … probably even better than we expected. Tough venue for the Highlanders.
• Greg’s pick: Floyd Central 55, Providence 50.

SILVER CREEK (2-2) AT JEFFERSONVILLE (1-2)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: William S. Johnson Arena, Jeffersonville H.S. (2315 Allison Ln., Jeffersonville)
• Coaches:
Silver Creek — Brandon Hoffman (203-75 in 12th season at Silver Creek)
Jeffersonville — Andrew Grantz (16-9 in second season at Jeffersonville, 104-51 in seventh season overall)
• Rankings:
Silver Creek — No. 7 AP (Class 3A).
Jeffersonville — No. 17 AP (Class 4A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Silver Creek — No. 130, No. 31 Class 3A
Jeffersonville — No. 64, No. 38 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
Silver Creek — Lost to North Harrison 65-46 (Dec. 10)
Jeffersonville — Lost at Seymour 55-47 (Dec. 10)
• Last 20 years: Jeff 14-6. Silver Creek has beaten the Red Devils the last 2 times the programs have met.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 18, 2020 — At Silver Creek 77, Jeffersonville 67.
• News & notes: The Red Devils were without head coach Andrew Grantz for Friday’s loss at Seymour and he’ll be out again this weekend. Jeff senior Will Lovings-Watts is also expected to be out Friday and could return as early as next week. … Jeff opens the Mac’s Childcare Holiday Classic at Louisville Western on Monday against DeSales (2-4) at 6 p.m. The Red Devils will face either host Western (6-1) or DuPont Manual (7-0) in Tuesday’s second round. The other side of the bracket features PRP (4-1), Waggener (3-3), St. Xavier (3-2) and Southern (3-1). Jeff is the only team from Indiana in the event. … The Dragons loss to North Harrison was just their third Mid-Southern Conference loss in the past four years. Two of those came against the Cougars the last two regular seasons. … Creek made just 4 of its 16 3-point attempts in Friday’s loss. … The Dragons will open the Jefferson County Invitational against Class 2A No. 16 Southwestern (5-0) at 11 a.m. at Madison on Dec. 22. Silver Creek will face either Jay County (4-1) or MSC-rival Scottsburg (4-1) in the second round (either at 6 p.m. Dec. 22 if it beats Southwestern or 11 a.m. on Dec. 23 if the Dragons lose to Southwestern). The final round is Dec. 23 at either 2:30 p.m. (seventh place), 4:15 p.m. (fifth place), 6 p.m. (third place) or 7:45 p.m. (championship). All 12 games are at Madison.
• John Harrell prediction: Jeffersonville 62, Silver Creek 48.
• Sagarin projection: Jeff by 11.
• Outlook: If Jeff’s coach and best player return, the Red Devils are the favorites in this one. Without knowing that, we’ll take the Dragons in a close one.
• Greg’s pick: Silver Creek 61, Jeffersonville 60.

NORTH HARRISON (4-0, 2-0 MSC) AT BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL (4-0, 2-0)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Brownstown Central H.S. (500 N. Elm St., Brownstown)
• Coaches:
North Harrison — Lou Lefevre (40-10 in third season at North Harrison, 305-90 in 18th season overall)
Brownstown — Dave Benter (407-153 in 24th season at Brownstown)
• Rankings:
North Harrison — No. 5 AP (Class 3A).
Brownstown — No. 11 AP (Class 3A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
North Harrison — No. 18, No. 4 Class 3A
Brownstown — No. 34, No. 7 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
North Harrison — Won at Silver Creek 65-46 (Dec. 10)
Brownstown — Won at Madison 60-54 (Dec. 11)
• Last 20 years: Brownstown 17-6 North Harrison has won the last 2 and 4 of the last 5 vs. the Braves.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 18, 2020 — At North Harrison 45, Brownstown 43.
• News & notes: The Cougars won at Silver Creek for the first time since 2003 with a 65-46 road blowout on Dec. 10. “If we are able to beat a good team like them handily, we must’ve been doing some things well,” Cougars head coach Lou Lefevre told the News and Tribune following the victory. … North Harrison led the Dragons 19-11 after the first quarter and never trailed over the final three periods. … The Cougars will participate in the Batesville Invitational and will face Jennings County (4-1) in the opening round on Dec. 30 at noon. Later that evening, North Harrison will play either Waldron (3-2) or the host Bulldogs (0-4) in the consolation game at 4 p.m. or the championship at 6 p.m. … Jack Benter scored 36 points in Brownstown’s 62-55 overtime victory over rival Seymour on Dec. 3.
• John Harrell prediction: North Harrison 52, Brownstown 50.
• Sagarin projection: Brownstown by 1.
• Outlook: Brownstown is legit but the Cougars are better. Winning on the road is never easy, but North Harrison is making believers of everyone.
• Greg’s pick: North Harrison 66, Brownstown Central 61.

CORYDON CENTRAL (2-3, 0-1 MSC) AT SCOTTSBURG (4-1, 3-1)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Silver Creek H.S. (557 Renz Ave., Sellersburg)
• Coaches:
Corydon Central — Joseph Hinton (23-29 in third season at Corydon)
Scottsburg — Eric Richardson (10-19 in second season at Scottsburg)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Corydon Central — No. 140, No. 35 Class 3A
Scottsburg — No. 37, No. 9 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Corydon Central — Lost at Evansville North 72-48 (Dec. 11)
Scottsburg — Won at Providence 65-64 (Dec. 11)
• Last 20 years: Corydon 15-9.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 18, 2020 — At Corydon 68, Scottsburg 66.
• News & notes: Corydon will open the PSC Holiday Tournament against Perry Central (3-0) at 11 a.m. on Dec. 28 at Tell City. It’s the first game of the tournament. With a win, the Panthers will face either Tell City (0-4) or Crawford County (3-0) in the second round later that day. The final round is Dec. 29 and the Panthers will play either Boonville (2-3), Heritage Hills (1-3), Vincennes (0-3) or South Spencer (5-0). The tournament will be played at Tell City and South Spencer. … Corydon will induct 1961 graduate Mick Frederick into its Athletic Hall of Fame. Frederick was the MVP of the 1960 and 1961 Panthers basketball team. He was All-MSC both teams. He had a school-record 808 points at the time of his graduation. He also has the program record with 18 assists in one game. Frederick was a member of the Panthers’ 1961 regional championship team.… The Warriors outscored Providence 26-18 over the final 8 minutes for a big 1-point road win on Saturday. Wyatt Zellers led a balanced Scottsburg attack with 14 points. Jack Miller had 13 and Kody Clancy 12 in the victory. … The Warriors will open the Jefferson County Invitational against Jay County (4-1) at 12:45 p.m. at Madison on Dec. 22. Scottsburg will face either Class 2A No. 14 Southwestern (5-0) or MSC-rival Silver Creek (2-1) — the defending Class 3A state champions — in the second round (either at 6 p.m. Dec. 22 if it beats Jay County or 11 a.m. on Dec. 23 if the Dragons lose to Jay County). The final round is Dec. 23 at either 2:30 p.m. (seventh place), 4:15 p.m. (fifth place), 6 p.m. (third place) or 7:45 p.m. (championship). All 12 games are at Madison.
• John Harrell prediction: Scottsburg 64, Corydon 46.
• Sagarin projection: Scottsburg by 16.
• Outlook: This isn’t the MSC Game of the Night, but it’s a good one. North Harrison and Brownstown look like the best two teams with Silver Creek, Eastern and these two teams on the next level. At least that’s how it seems so far.
• Greg’s pick: Scottsburg 62, Corydon Central 55.

WEST WASHINGTON (0-4) VS. BORDEN (3-2)
• Time: 6 p.m.
• Event: 1st Harrison Bank Washington County Invitational, first round.
• Location: Brooks Memorial Gymnasium, Salem H.S. (700 N. Harrison St., Salem)
• Coaches:
West Washington — Matthew Myers (39-40 in fourth season at West Washington)
Borden — Doc Nash (207-151 in 16th season at Borden)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
West Washington — No. 306, No. 54 Class A
Borden — No. 104, No. 10 Class A
• Most recent game:
West Washington — Lost to Trinity Lutheran 47-33 (Dec. 11)
Borden — Won at South Central 80-60 (Dec. 10)
• Last 20 years: 17-17. West Washington has won 4 of the last 5 against the Braves.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 9 — At West Washington 59, Borden 52.
• News & notes: The winner of this game will face either Eastern (4-1) or Salem (1-3) in Saturday’s Washington County championship game. The loser will play at 6 p.m. Both games will be played at Salem. … Five Braves scored at least nine points in last Friday’s win over South Central, led by Kasym Nash’s 28 points. Mason Carter added 13, Cruz Martin had 12, while Mason Jones and Sterling Mikel finished with 9 apiece in the conference triumph. … Borden took control with a 22-11 advantage in the third quarter of its win over the Rebels.
• John Harrell prediction: Borden 61, West Washington 40.
• Sagarin projection: Borden by 26.
• Outlook: This is a game either team could win — and West Wash is definitely better than its winless record would normally indicate — but we love what Nash is doing with this Borden team.
• Greg’s pick: Borden 71, West Washington 58.

EASTERN (4-1) AT SALEM (1-3)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Event: 1st Harrison Bank Washington County Invitational, first round.
• Location: Brooks Memorial Gymnasium, Salem H.S. (700 N. Harrison St., Salem)
• Coaches:
Eastern — Chandler Prible (16-14 in second season at Eastern)
Salem — Duane Malloy (1-3 in first season at Salem)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Eastern — No. 79, No. 13 Class 2A
Salem — No. 291, No. 80 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Eastern — Won at Clarksville 84-57 (Dec. 11)
Salem — Lost at Mitchell 75-63 (Dec. 11)
• Last 20 years: Salem 22-15. The Lions have won 14 of the last 15 in the series.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 30 — At Salem 73, Eastern 72 (3 OT)
• News & notes: The winner of this game will face either Borden (3-2) or West Washington (4-0) in Saturday’s Washington County championship game. The loser will play at 6 p.m. Both games will be played at Salem. … These rivals played six overtime in two games last season. Yes, six overtimes (three in each matchup). The Lions and Musketeers split the contests with the Lions beating Eastern en route to last year’s Washington County title. Salem’s two wins in the tournament were half of their 2020-21 victories.
• John Harrell prediction: Eastern 67, Salem 44.
• Sagarin projection: Eastern by 20.
• Outlook: You can see the incremental improvement for Salem, but the Musketeers should advance to Saturday’s championship game.
• Greg’s pick: Eastern 68, Salem 55.

SOUTH CENTRAL (1-4) AT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (1-2)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Christian Academy of Indiana (1000 Academy Dr., New Albany)
• Coaches:
South Central — Greg Robinson (174-172 in 16th season at South Central, 196-235 in 20th season overall)
CAI — Hayden Casey (10-19 in second season at CAI)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
South Central — No. 221, No. 28 Class A
CAI — No. 314, No. 60 Class A
• Most recent game:
South Central — Lost to Perry Central 47-44 (Dec. 11)
CAI — Lost at Rock Creek 66-54 (Dec. 10)
• Last 20 years: CAI 16-10. The Warriors have won 12 in a row over South Central.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 12 — Christian Academy 66, at South Central 41.
• News & notes: The Warriors have only played one game in December. … The Warriors and Rebels could face each other again in the next couple weeks. Both teams will participate in the Southridge Winter Classic Dec. 28-30. CAI opens the tournament against Eastern Greene (1-4) at noon on Tuesday, Dec. 28, and will face either Orleans (3-1) or Northeast Dubois (2-3) in the second round the following day. South Central drew the host Raiders (1-4) and will face either North Knox (4-2) or Princeton (2-3) in the second round on Dec. 29.
• John Harrell prediction: South Central 67, Christian Academy 56.
• Sagarin projection: South Central by 7.
• Outlook: The Class A sectional appears to be wide open. Both of these teams have to believe they have the ability win it in March.
• Greg’s pick: Christian Academy 62, South Central 51.

HENRYVILLE (1-5, 0-0 SAC) AT LANESVILLE (0-6, 0-1)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Lanesville H.S. (2725 Crestview Ave. NE, Lanesville)
• Coaches:
Henryville — Jared Hill (92-81 in eighth season at Henryville)
Lanesville — Mikel Miller (287-215 in 22nd season at Lanesville)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Henryville — No. 316, No. 76 Class 2A
Lanesville — No. 281, No. 43 Class A
• Most recent game:
Henryville — Lost at Hauser 46-32 (Dec. 11)
Lanesville — Lost to Springs Valley 65-62 (Dec. 11)
• Last 20 years: Lanesville 16-8. The Eagles have won 3 consecutive games in the series
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 18, 2020 — Lanesville 44, at Henryville 40.
• News & notes: Lanesville’s 0-5 start is its slowest start since the Eagles lost their first 11 games in 1995-96 under Jerry Reinhardt. … On Dec. 17, Lanesville will recognize its 2007 team for the 15th anniversary of their regional championship. The ceremony will take place after the junior varsity game between the Eagles and Henryville. The JV is scheduled for 6 p.m. with the varsity to follow. … The Eagles will start the Edinburgh Classic against the host Lancers (5-0) at 2 p.m. on Dec. 28. Later that day, they’ll battle either North White (3-1) or Hagerstown (1-4) in either a tournament semifinal or the consolation bracket at 8 p.m. The final round will be played Dec. 29 at 2, 4, 6 and 8 p.m. … An 11-0 run helped the Hornets grab an 18-14 lead against Hauser before they were outscored 32-14 the rest of the way in a 14-point road loss on Dec. 11. … The Hornets will host Crothersville (1-3), Christian Academy (1-1) and Springs Valley (3-2) in the McKee Munk Invitational on Dec. 23. The Hornets open the tournament at 10 a.m. against Crothersville. With a win, the Hornets would face either CAI or Springs Valley at 7:45 p.m. in the championship game that night. With a loss, they’ll play in the consolation game at 6 p.m. at Furnish Gymnasium.
• John Harrell prediction: Lanesville 51, Henryville 45.
• Sagarin projection: Lanesville by 9.
• Outlook: These teams are a combined 1-11 and it just feels weird. Neither team is as bad as its record.
• Greg’s pick: Lanesville 57, Henryville 48.

ROCK CREEK (3-1) AT HOLY CROSS (KY.) (3-2)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Holy Cross H.S. (5144 Dixie Hwy., Shively, Ky.)
• Coaches:
Rock Creek — Chris Brown (351-282 in 26th season at Rock Creek)
Holy Cross — Jody A. Thornsberry (coaching record unavailable)
• Most recent game:
Rock Creek — Defeated Cannelton 67-40 (Dec. 11)
Holy Cross — Lost to Fairdale 65-52 (Dec. 14)
• Last 20 years: Holy Cross 2-0
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 21, 2019 — At Holy Cross 54, Rock Creek 53.
• News & notes: Rock Creek had six players with at least 7 points in Saturday’s 27-point win over Cannelton. Junior center Jaleb Treat led the way with 14 points. … The Lions will open the Daviess County Classic on Dec. 28 against Brownstown Central (4-0) at 4:30 p.m. The second round is Dec. 29 and Rock Creek will battle either Paoli (3-0) or Loogootee (7-1) in the second round (at 4:30 p.m. with a loss against Brownstown, or at 6 p.m. with a win). The final round — against either Barr-Reeve (5-2), South Knox (3-2), defending Class A state champion Fort Wayne Blackhawk (3-0) or North Daviess (6-0) — is the Dec. 30 at 3 p.m. (seventh-place game), 4:30 p.m. (fifth), 6 p.m. (third) or 7:30 p.m. (championship). … Sophomore Jacob Hand is averaging 22.5 points per game through four games for the Cougars. He is shooting 58.7 percent from the field this season. Senior Justin Cummins helps with 17.8 points per contest.
• Outlook: Rock Creek has never beaten the Cougars. That changes Friday.
• Greg’s pick: Rock Creek 63, Holy Cross 55.

RISING SUN (0-3) AT NEW WASHINGTON (1-1)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: James Matthews Gymnasium (a.k.a. The Jim), New Washington H.S. (226 N. Highway 62, New Washington)
• Coaches:
Rising Sun — Brandon Snodgrass (7-14 in second season at Rising Sun)
New Washington — Kyle Brown (10-16 in second season at New Wash)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Rising Sun — No. 334, No. 66 Class A
New Washington — No. 312, No. 58 Class A
• Most recent game:
Rising Sun — Lost at Switzerland County 56-52 (Dec. 10)
New Washington — Won at Shawe 57-45 (Nov. 27)
• Last 20 years: New Wash 8-7.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 20, 2019 — At New Washington 51, Rising Sun 44.
• News & notes: These two teams did not play each other last season after facing each other in each of the past 15 seasons. … Due to postponements, New Wash hasn’t played yet in December. … New Washington’s game against Christian Academy has been rescheduled for Jan. 4 and its game against Rock Creek has been rescheduled to Jan. 15. … Brady Works (17), Peyton Merica (14) and Damon Carrigan (12) scored 43 of Rising Sun’s 52 points in a 4-point loss to Switzerland County on Dec. 10. The Shiners had 17 turnovers in the defeat.
• John Harrell prediction: New Washington 53, Rising Sun 47.
• Sagarin projection: New Wash by 7.
• Outlook: If the Mustangs aren’t rusty, they should pick up their second win.
• Greg’s pick: New Washington 59, Rising Sun 49.

PAOLI (3-0) AT AUSTIN (1-4)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Rigel Gymnasium (401 S. Hwy. 31, Austin)
• Coaches:
Paoli — Dusty Cole (146-68 in 10th season at Paoli)
Austin — Randy Edwards (36-66 in fifth season at Austin)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Paoli — No. 164, No. 29 Class 2A
Austin — No. 285, No. 68 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
Paoli — Defeated West Washington 53-41 (Dec. 10)
Austin — Lost to Jennings County 89-52 (Dec. 11)
• Last 20 years: Paoli 15-9. The Rams have won 9 in a row vs. Henryville.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 20, 2019 — Paoli 61, at Henryville 35.
• News & notes: Austin’s four losses have been by an average of 21 points. … The Rams are seven wins away from its 10th straight double-digit win season.
• John Harrell prediction: Paoli 59, Austin 47.
• Sagarin projection: Paoli by 9.
• Outlook: Looking at Austin’s schedule, it could be a while before the Eagles find some success on the scoreboard.
• Greg’s pick: Paoli 59, Austin 44.