By GREG MENGELT

It’s been an odd season for New Albany.

Though just five games in, the Bulldogs have been obviously inconsistent. They’re 2-3 and have an unexpectedly hard-fought win over Clarksville and an equally unexpected overtime loss against Zionsville, the state’s top ranked team.

Their last game — eight days ago — was a 31-point loss to rival Floyd Central. Close games against teams they should beat easily, a close loss to the state’s top team, a tough loss on the road against a really good Bloomington South team and a game in which the Bulldogs scored just 26 points. What do we make of this New Albany team so far?

“We are dealing with some injuries and hope to get everyone to 100 percent in early January,” New Albany coach Jim Shannon said.

Tucker Biven has been healthy and leading the way for the Bulldogs. He had a team-high 7 points against Floyd. Shannon says Biven will need help from Jayden Thompson and Josten Carter, who combined for 8 points in last Friday’s loss against Carmel.

The defending state champions come into Saturday’s contest ranked fourth and 5-2 on the season. The Greyhounds have suffered losses to top-ranked Zionsville (45-42 to open the season) and No. 3 Homestead (6-1) 48-47 on Dec. 4.

Carmel is led by senior Pete Sudor, who is on the radar of programs like Purdue, Indiana, Butler and Xavier. Junior wing Sam Orme led the Greyhounds with 20 points and 9 rebounds in Friday’s 45-41 win over North Central.

“Carmel presents a tough matchup with their size and athleticism,” Shannon said. ”Suder is an Indiana All-Star but obviously not their only weapon.”

TODAY’S GAMES
SATURDAY
GAME OF THE NIGHT
NEW ALBANY (2-3) AT CARMEL (5-2)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Eric Clark Activity Center, Carmel H.S. (520 E. Main St., Carmel)
• Coaches:
New Albany — Jim Shannon (431-130 in 24th season at New Albany, 596-269 in 38th season overall)
Carmel — Ryan Osborn (96-20 in fifth season at Carmel)
• Rankings:
Carmel — No. 4 IBCA (single class); No. 5 AP (Class 4A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
New Albany — No. 180, No. 81 Class 4A
Carmel — No. 2, No. 2 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
New Albany — Lost at Floyd Central 57-26 (Dec. 10)
Carmel — Defeated North Central 45-41 (Dec. 17)
• Last 20 years: New Albany 4-3.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 19, 2020 — Carmel 50, at New Albany 42.
• News & notes: Shannon is four wins from his 600th career victory. He’d be the sixth active coach with 600. … The Bulldogs scored 26 points in Friday’s 31-point loss at Floyd Central. It was their fewest points since a 50-20 loss to Providence on Feb. 3, 2012. The good news is New Albany won 14 games that season. … The Bulldogs shot just 9 for 36 from the field in the defeat. New Albany had just 16 points through three quarters. “It’s just one game,” New Albany head coach Jim Shannon told the News and Tribune’s Kenzie Winstead. “We’ve got 17 more. We have time to get better.”. … The Greyhounds have won 5 state championships, ranking fourth all time behind Marion (8), Muncie Central (8) and Washington (7), including last year’s title. … Carmel is led by senior Pete Sudor, who has had looks from Purdue, Indiana, Butler and Xavier. He’s the son of former Duquesne standout Rick Sudor. … Junior wing Sam Orme led all Greyhounds with 20 points and 9 rebounds in Friday’s 4-point win win over North Central.
• John Harrell prediction: Carmel 66, New Albany 30.
• Sagarin projection: Carmel by 30.
• Outlook: This game is going to be closer than most think.
• Greg’s pick: Carmel 55, New Albany 44.

BLOOMINGTON SOUTH (4-2) AT FLOYD CENTRAL (4-1)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Joe Hinton Court, Floyd Central H.S. (6575 Old Vincennes Rd., Floyds Knobs)
• Coaches:
South — J.R. Holmes (722-228 in 40th season at South, 865-346 in 52nd season overall)
Floyd — Todd Sturgeon (126-42 in eighth season at Floyd)
• Rankings:
South — No. 13 IBCA (single class); No. 9 AP (Class 4A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
South — No. 95, No. 48 Class 4A
Floyd — No. 53, No. 33 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
South — Lost to Terre Haute North 35-34 (Dec. 17)
Floyd — Won at Providence 55-43 (Dec. 17)
• Last 20 years: Bloomington South 5-2. The Panthers have beaten Floyd 4 straight times.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 19, 2020 — At Bloomington South 55, Floyd Central 40.
• News & notes: point road win. … Tevi Ali’s 3-pointer Friday gave the Highlanders the lead at 30-27. It was a lead Floyd never surrendered. Ali led the Highlanders with 11 points off the bench in the win. … Floyd will face Pike (6-4) 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 (3-9) at 10 a.m. … After Southport tied the game at 41-apiece, South’s Brock Kincaid — a transfer from Greenwood — drove the length of the floor and hit a layup at the buzzer to lift the Panthers to a win on Dec. 10. He was 5 for 5 in the second half.
• John Harrell prediction: Floyd Central 52, Bloomington South 41.
• Sagarin projection: Floyd by 9.
• Outlook: If Floyd is the best 4A team in the region, this is a home game it needs to win.
• Greg’s pick: Floyd Central 61, Bloomington South 53.

SILVER CREEK (3-2) AT BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE (1-4)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: BNL Fieldhouse (595 Stars Blvd., Bedford)
• Coaches:
Silver Creek — Brandon Hoffman (204-75 in 12th season at Silver Creek)
BNL — Jeff Hein (30-24 in third season at BNL, 325-231 in 25th season overall)
• Rankings:
Silver Creek — No. 14 AP (Class 3A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Silver Creek — No. 130, No. 31 Class 3A
BNL — No. 133, No. 65 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
Silver Creek — Won at Jeffersonville 72-59 (Dec. 17)
BNL — Lost at Madison 57-54, OT (Dec. 17)
• Last 20 years: Silver Creek 6-1. The Dragons have won 3 in row over Bedford.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 2 — At Silver Creek 74, BNL 51.
• News & notes: After going more than 20 years without winning at Jeffersonville, Silver Creek has now won at Johnson Arena three of the last four times it has visited Jeff. … Silver Creek held Jeffersonville to 39 percent shooting en route to Friday’s 13-point road victory. An 11-5 run midway through the third quarter helped the Dragons pull away from the Red Devils. … Branden Northern scored 31 points and senior forward Zac Stricker contributed 17 in Friday’s win. … The Dragons made 10 of their 11 free throw attempts in the fourth quarter of Friday’s triumph. … The Dragons will open the Jefferson County Invitational against Class 2A No. 11 Southwestern (5-1) at 11 a.m. at Madison on Dec. 22. Silver Creek will face either Jay County (5-1) or MSC-rival Scottsburg (5-1) 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. … BNL nearly broke the school record for fewest points in its 33-24 loss to No. 10 Bloomington South on Dec. 4. The Stars shot 22 percent from the field in the defeat. Kincaid, who’s been dealing with an ulcer, scored South’s final 6 points in the win. … Juniors Colten Leach and Colton Staggs scored 14 points apiece to pace BNL in Friday’s overtime loss at Madison.
• John Harrell prediction: BNL 50, Silver Creek 47.
• Sagarin projection: BNL by 3.
• Outlook: A couple losses and everyone is counting out the Dragons. That’s pretty stupid.
• Greg’s pick: Silver Creek 61, BNL 52.

BORDEN (4-2) VS. EASTERN (5-1)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Event: Washington County Invitational, Championship game.
• Location: Brooks Memorial Gymnasium, Salem H.S. (700 N. Harrison St., Salem)
• Coaches:
Borden — Doc Nash (208-151 in 16th season at Borden)
Eastern — Chandler Prible (17-14 in second season at Eastern)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Borden — No. 104, No. 10 Class A
Eastern — No. 79, No. 13 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
Borden — Defeated West Washington 73-56 (Washington County Invitational, first round, Dec. 17)
Eastern — Won at Salem 67-42 (Washington County Invitational, first round, Dec. 17)
• Last 20 years: 16-16. Borden has won 7 of the last 11 against Eastern.
• Most recent meeting: Nov. 23 — Eastern 70, at Borden 56.
• News & notes: Borden last won the Washington County Invitational in 2015. From 2011-2015, the Braves won it four times. The Musketeers last tourney title came in 2010. … Cade Jones and Jacob Cherry scored 16 points apiece in the Musketeers’ semifinal win. Jones also had 6 rebounds and 4 assists. … Sterling Mikel led the Braves with 19 points in Friday’s semifinal victory.
• Sagarin projection: Eastern by 4.
• Outlook: Coach Nash is great, but it’s hard to imagine his team has made up a 14-point deficit in a few weeks. Also, Eastern is pretty good, in case you hadn’t heard.
• Greg’s pick: Eastern 73, Borden 64.

WEST WASHINGTON (0-5) AT SALEM (2-4)
• Time: 6 p.m.
• Event: Washington County Invitational, Consolation game.
• Location: Brooks Memorial Gymnasium, Salem H.S. (700 N. Harrison St., Salem)
• Coaches:
West Washington — Clayton Sullivan (39-41 in fourth season at West Washington)
Salem — Duane Malloy (2-3 in first season at Salem)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
West Washington — No. 306, No. 54 Class A
Salem — No. 291, No. 80 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
West Washington — Lost to Borden 73-56 (Washington County Invitational, first round, Dec. 17)
Salem — Lost to Eastern 67-42 (Washington County Invitational, first round, Dec. 17)
• Last 20 years: Salem 22-12. Prior to the Lions’ win earlier this year, West Washington had won 3 straight over its rival.
• Most recent meeting: Nov. 24 — Salem 46, at West Washington 45.
• News & notes: One of Salem’s two wins this year came in its season opener in Campbellsburg. … The Lions scored 21 of their 42 points in the third quarter of Friday’s semifinal loss to Eastern. … Junior Lane Hoefler scored 26 of the Senators’ 56 points in Friday’s 17-point semifinal loss to Borden.
• Sagarin projection: Salem by 6.
• Outlook: Salem already has a win at West Washington. No reason the Lions shouldn’t be able to beat them at home, but it will probably be a very tightly contested game.
• Greg’s pick: Salem 57, West Washington 54.

CHARLESTOWN (3-3) AT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (2-2)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Christian Academy of Indiana (1000 Academy Dr., New Albany)
• Coaches:
Charlestown — Matt Lynch (3-3 in first season at Charlestown, 72-53 in sixth season overall)
CAI — Hayden Casey (11-19 in second season at CAI)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Charlestown — No. 283, No. 78 Class 3A
CAI — No. 314, No. 60 Class A
• Most recent game:
Charlestown — Defeated Clarksville 59-41 (Dec. 10)
CAI — Defeated South Central 65-34 (Dec. 17)
• Last 20 years: Charlestown 8-5. CAI has won 3 of last 4 vs. the Pirates.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 25 — At Charlestown 74, CAI 60.
• News & notes: Jake Helton had 33 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assist and 7 steals in wins over Henryville and Clarksville last week. He put up 18 points, 5 steals, 4 assists and 3 boards against Henryville. … Austin Pickerell was the Defensive Player of the Game in the Pirates’ win over Clarksville. … Freshman Joshua Renfro scored 21 points to lead CAI to Friday’s 32-point win over South Central. Brady Dunn added 16 points and Myles Morgan 10 in the win. … The Warriors led South Central 39-15 at halftime.
• John Harrell prediction: Charlestown 59, CAI 56.
• Sagarin projection: Charlestown by 1.
• Outlook: No matter who wins, this is likely to be a close game. Possibly a 1-possession game.
• Greg’s pick: Charlestown 66, CAI 64.

SCOTTSBURG (5-1) AT COLUMBUS NORTH (5-2)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: North H.S. (1400 25th St., Columbus)
• Coaches:
Scottsburg — Eric Richardson (11-19 in second season at Scottsburg)
North — Paul Ferguson (89-55 in 17th season at North, 222-110 season overall)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Scottsburg — No. 37, No. 9 Class 3A
North — No. 45, No. 28 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
Scottsburg — Defeated Corydon Central 56-53 (Dec. 17)
North — Won at Columbus East 39-26 (Dec. 17)
• Last 20 years: North 1-0.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 21, 2019 — At Columbus North 74, Scottsburg 42.
• News & notes: The Warriors outscored Providence 26-18 over the final 8 minutes for a big 1-point road win last Saturday. Wyatt Zellers led a balanced Scottsburg attack with 14 points. Jack Miller had 13 and Kody Clancey 12 in the victory. … The Warriors will open the Jefferson County Invitational against Jay County (5-1) at 12:45 p.m. at Madison on Dec. 22. Scottsburg will face either Class 2A No. 11 Southwestern (5-1) or MSC-rival Silver Creek (3-2) — 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. … The Bull Dogs’ beat season under Ferguson came in 2019-20 when they went 18-6. They’ve won at least 10 games in all six of his seasons.
• John Harrell prediction: Columbus North 53, Scottsburg 52.
• Sagarin projection: North by 3.
• Outlook: North isn’t an easy place to win, but we believe the Warriors are good enough to do it.
• Greg’s pick: Scottsburg 67, North 60.

EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL (2-3) AT PROVIDENCE (4-2)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Larkin Center, Our Lady of Providence (707 Providence Way, Clarksville)
• Coaches:
Memorial — Heath Howington (10-14 in second season at Memorial, 93-127 in 10th season overall)
Providence — Ryan Miller (34-17 in third season at Providence)
• Rankings:
Providence — No. 18 AP (Class 2A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Memorial — No. 59, No. 13 Class 3A
Providence — No. 75, No. 10 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
Memorial — Lost at Bosse 73-65 (Dec. 14)
Providence — Lost to Floyd Central 55-43 (Dec. 17)
• Last 20 years: First meeting.
• News & notes: The Pioneers led Floyd Central 26-22 at halftime but managed just three points in the first 11 minutes of the second half in a 12-point home loss Friday. … Providence junior Casey Kaelin led all scorers with 13 points in Friday’s loss to Floyd. … Blake Anderson (20), Connor Agler (18) and Evan Harding (11) combined for 49 of the Tigers’ 72 points in a 24-point win over Corydon Central on Friday. … Prior to taking over for Rick Wiggins at Memorial, Howington coached eight seasons at North Posey.
• John Harrell prediction: Memorial 54, Providence 53.
• Sagarin projection: Providence by 2.
• Outlook: The Pioneers are good enough to win this one at home.
• Greg’s pick: Providence 60, Memorial 58.

NEW WASHINGTON (1-3) AT CROTHERSVILLE (1-3)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Crothersville H.S. (109 S. Preston St., Crothersville)
• Coaches:
New Washington — Kyle Brown (10-18 in second season at New Washington)
Crothersville — Bryant Layman (1-3 in first season at Crothersville)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
New Washington — No. 312, No. 58 Class A
Crothersville — No. 393, No. 95 Class A
• Most recent game:
New Washington — Lost to Rising Sun 73-54 (Dec. 17)
Crothersville — Lost to Switzerland County 81-31 (Dec. 4)
• Last 20 years: New Wash 13-9. The Mustangs have won the last 2 against Crothersville.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 26 — At New Washington 52, Crothersville 41.
• News & notes: Freshman Mason Arthur led New Wash with 16 points in Friday’s 19-point loss to Rising Sun. … Crothersville hasn’t played since Dec. 4 thanks to their postponement against Medora on Dec. 7.
• John Harrell prediction: New Wash by 16.
• Sagarin projection: New Washington 69, Crothersville 41.
• Outlook: The Mustangs should win this one comfortably.
• Greg’s pick: New Washington 65, Crothersville 38.

JASPER (5-1) AT CORYDON CENTRAL (2-4)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Corydon Central H.S. (375 Country Club Rd., Corydon)
• Coaches:
Jasper — John Goebel (192-137 in 15th season at Jasper, 278-174 in 20th season overall)
Corydon Central — Joseph Hinton (23-29 in third season at Corydon Central)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Jasper — No. 54, No. 34 Class 4A
Corydon Central — No. 140, No. 35 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Jasper — Won at Boonville 58-21 (Dec. 17)
Corydon Central — Lost at Scottsburg 56-53 (Dec. 17)
• Last 20 years: Jasper 1-0.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 19 — at Jasper 59, Corydon Central 48.
• News & notes: Junior guard Tyler Fessel came up short on a game-winning attempt at the end of the regulation of the Panthers’ 63-62 double-overtime loss at Brownstown Central on Friday. … Corydon will open the PSC Holiday Tournament against Perry Central (3-1) 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 (0-5) or Crawford County (0-7) in the second round later that day. The final round is Dec. 29 and the Panthers will play either Boonville (2-4), Heritage Hills (2-3), Vincennes (0-4) or South Spencer (6-0). The tournament will be played at Tell City and South Spencer. … The 21 points Jasper surrendered Friday is the fewest any Wildcat team has given up in over 30 years.
• John Harrell prediction: Jasper 60, Corydon Central 52.
• Sagarin projection: Jasper by 6.
• Outlook: Jasper’s having a bit of a bounce-back season and has some early big wins, but the Panthers are about to start winning a lot of games.
• Greg’s pick: Corydon Central 63, Jasper 57.

MADISON (2-4) AT AUSTIN (1-5)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Rigel Gymnasium (401 S. Hwy. 31, Austin)
• Coaches:
Madison — Adam Stotts (2-4 in first season at Madison)
Austin — Randy Edwards (36-67 in fifth season at Austin)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Madison — No. 196, No. 53 Class 3A
Austin — No. 285, No. 68 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
Madison — Defeated Bedford North Lawrence 57-54, OT (Dec. 17)
Austin — Lost to Paoli 65-51 (Dec. 17)
• Last 20 years: Madison 8-1. The Cubs have won 3 consecutive games in the series.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 19, 2020 — At Madison 91, Austin 47.
• News & notes: Austin has scored between 51 and 55 points in its last three games. The Eagles have been between 40 and 55 in five of their six games. … Junior guard Kaden Oliver, who had a game-high 23 points, hit the go-ahead basket as Madison handed South Dearborn its first loss of the season, 47-41, on Dec. 10. He then scored 30 points in the Cubs’ 6-point loss to Brownstown Central on Dec. 11. … Oliver had a game-high 25 points and made 14 of his 16 free throw attempts in Friday’s overtime win over BNL. Senior Jackson Falconberry added 13 in Madison’s second victory of the season.
• John Harrell prediction: Madison 66, Austin 55.
• Sagarin projection: Madison by 6.
• Outlook: This Madison team is better than its record and should probably get the road win.
• Greg’s pick: Madison 63, Austin 48.

ORLEANS (4-1) AT HENRYVILLE (2-5)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Orleans H.S. (200 W. Wilson St., Orleans)
• Coaches:
Orleans — Tom Bradley (344-192 in 23rd season at Orleans)
Henryville — Jared Hill (93-81 in eighth season at Henryville)
• Rankings:
Orleans — No. 12 AP (Class A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Orleans — No.121, No. 12 Class A
Henryville — No. 316, No. 76 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
Orleans — Defeated Medora 68-14 (Dec. 17)
Henryville — Won at Lanesville 57-48 (Dec. 17)
• Last 20 years: Orleans 6-1.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 19, 2020 — At Orleans 47, Henryville 44.
• News & notes: Tyler Orbeson scored all of his game-high 17 points in the second half of Friday’s SAC win. Sam Guernsey had 13 points and Layton Walton 12 in the victory. … The 14 points the Bulldogs surrendered Friday are the fewest an Orleans team has surrendered in over 30 years. … The Hornets will host Crothersville, Christian Academy (2-2) and Springs Valley (4-2) in the McKee Munk Invitational on Dec. 23. The Hornets open the tournament at 10 a.m. against SAC-rival Crothersville (1-3). 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: Orleans 60, Henryville 38.
• Sagarin projection: Orleans by 19.
• Outlook: The Hornets have the ability to stay close to a pretty good Orleans team.
• Greg’s pick: Orleans 57, Henryville 47.