By GREG MENGELT
The 2-time defending Class 3A state champion Dragons have won the tournament five years in a row. Providence last won it in 2016.
Charlestown (3-5) will face Clarksville (2-5) in the consolation game after Silver Creek beat the Generals 76-54 and Providence held off the Pirates for a 55-49 victory in Wednesday’s semifinals.
Floyd Central (5-2) will face 2-6 Avon at the Paul Loggan Memorial Invitational at North Central in Indianapolis on Wednesday morning. The Highlanders took a tough 52-49 loss to Pike in Tuesday’s first round.
In other action, Corydon Central (4-5) will face Heritage Hills (5-3) for the PSC Holiday Tournament at South Spencer. The Panthers beat Perry Central 64-38 and Crawford County 61-47 on Tuesday to advance to the championship game.
South Central (2-5) is still alive in the championship bracket at the Baird Winter Classic at Southridge. The Rebels will play North Knox (7-2) in the second round there Wednesday.
New Washington (2-4) kicks off play at a tournament at Morristown. The Mustangs will face South Dearborn (4-2) in Wednesday’s opening round.
Here’s a look at all of Wednesday’s local action:
GAME OF THE NIGHT
PROVIDENCE (5-2) AT SILVER CREEK (5-5)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Events: Silver Creek Holiday Tournament, championship game.
• Location: Silver Creek H.S. (557 Renz Ave., Sellersburg)
• Coaches:
Providence — Ryan Miller (36-18 in third season at Providence)
Silver Creek — Brandon Hoffman (206-78 in 12th season at Silver Creek)
• Rankings:
Providence — No. 18 AP (Class 2A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Providence — No. 95, No. 13 Class 2A
Silver Creek — No. 146, No. 36 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Providence — Defeated Charlestown 55-49 (Silver Creek Holiday Tournament, first round, Dec. 28)
Silver Creek — Defeated Clarksville 76-54 (Silver Creek Holiday Tournament, first round, Dec. 28)
• Last 20 years: Silver Creek 17-16. The Dragons have won 8 in a row over Providence.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 29, 2020 — Silver Creek 62, Providence 41 (Silver Creek Holiday Tournament, first round)
• News & notes: Silver Creek has won the last five holiday tournament titles. Providence’s last championship came in 2016.
• John Harrell prediction: Silver Creek 59, Providence 53.
• Sagarin projection: Providence by 5.
• Outlook: Pretty sure this is going to be a close one. As far as a winner, I’m less certain.
• Greg’s pick: Silver Creek 68, Providence 65.
CLARKSVILLE (2-5) VS. CHARLESTOWN (3-5)
• Time: 6 p.m.
• Events: Silver Creek Holiday Tournament, consolation game.
• Location: Silver Creek H.S. (557 Renz Ave., Sellersburg)
• Coaches:
Clarksville — Kyle Hankins (2-5 in first season at Clarksville)
Charlestown — Matt Lynch (3-5 in first season at Charlestown, 72-55 in sixth season overall)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Clarksville — No. 279, No. 67 Class 2A
Charlestown — No. 288, No. 77 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Clarksville — Lost to Silver Creek 76-54 (Silver Creek Holiday Tournament, first round, Dec. 28)
Charlestown — Lost to Providence 55-49 (Silver Creek Holiday Tournament, first round, Dec. 28)
• Last 20 years: Clarksville 20-13. The Generals have won three of the last four in the series.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 10 — At Charlestown 59, Clarksville 41.
• John Harrell prediction: Clarksville 55, Charlestown 52.
• Sagarin projection: Clarksville by 2.
• Outlook: This one should also be close, but I’ll take the Pirates in a squeaker.
• Greg’s pick: Charlestown 61, Clarksville 59.
FLOYD CENTRAL (5-2) VS. AVON (2-6)
• Time: 10 a.m.
• Events: Paul Loggan Memorial Invitational, second round.
• Location: North Central Gymnasium (1801 East 86th Street, Indianapolis)
• Coaches:
Floyd Central — Todd Sturgeon (127-42 in eighth season at Floyd)
Avon — Drew Schauss (2-6 in first season at Avon, 22-32 in third season overall)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Floyd Central — No. 22, No. 19 Class 4A
Avon — No. 153, No. 76 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
Floyd Central — Lost to Pike 52-49 (Paul Loggan Memorial Invitational, first round, Dec. 28)
Avon — Lost to Park Tudor 82-52 (Paul Loggan Memorial Invitational, first round, Dec. 28)
• Last 20 years: First meeting.
• News & notes: This is the Highlanders’ final game of the 2-game tournament in Indy.
• John Harrell prediction: Floyd Central 62, Avon 51.
• Sagarin projection: Floyd by 15.
• Outlook: The Highlanders should pick up a deserved win after Tuesday’s tough loss.
• Greg’s pick: Floyd Central 62, Avon 44.
CORYDON CENTRAL (4-5) VS. HERITAGE HILLS (5-3)
• Time: 8:15 p.m.
• Events: PSC Holiday Tournament, championship game.
• Location: South Spencer H.S. (1142 N. Orchard Rd., Rockport)
• Coaches:
Corydon Central — Joseph Hinton (25-31 in third season at Corydon)
Heritage Hills — Nate Hawkins (103-25 in sixth season at Heritage Hills, 167-51 in 10th season overall)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Corydon Central — No. 181, No. 49 Class 3A
Heritage Hills — No. 124, No. 32 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Corydon Central — Defeated Crawford County 61-47 (PSC Holiday Tournament, second round)
Heritage Hills — Defeated South Spencer 65-59 (PSC Holiday Tournament, second round)
• Last 20 years: Corydon Central 4-2.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 30, 2016 — Heritage Hills 64, Corydon 57.
• News & notes: The Panthers picked up two wins Tuesday. They beat Perry Central 64-38 to open the tournament in the morning then beat South Spencer by 6 points in the nightcap. … The Patriots are led by 6-foot-7 freshman Trent Sisley, who is averaging 18 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.2 assists per game. The 2025 forward is already being recruited by programs like Indiana, Purdue, Cincinnati and Notre Dame.
• John Harrell prediction: Heritage Hills 59, Corydon Central 53.
• Sagarin projection: Heritage Hills by 5.
• Outlook: I predicted the Panthers are about to go in a winning streak. So far, they’re making me look good.
• Greg’s pick: Corydon Central 68, Heritage Hills 59.
ROCK CREEK (4-2) VS. PAOLI (4-1)
• Time: 4:30 p.m.
• Events: Daviess County Classic, second round.
• Location: Cougar Den, North Daviess H.S. (5494 E. State Road 58, Elnora)
• Coaches:
Rock Creek — Chris Brown (352-283 in 26th season at Rock Creek)
Paoli — Dusty Cole (147-69 in 10th season at Paoli)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Rock Creek — No. 187, No. 18 Class A
Paoli — No. 169, No. 31 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
Rock Creek — Lost to Brownstown 58-42 (Daviess County Classic, first round, Dec. 28)
Paoli — Lost to Loogootee 59-35 (Daviess County Classic, first round, Dec. 28)
• Last 20 years: Rock Creek 2-0.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 28, 2012 — Rock Creek 66, Paoli 58.
• News & notes: The Lions will play either South Knox (4-3) or host North Daviess (9-1) in the final round Thursday. If Rock Creek wins Wednesday, it will play for fifth place Thursday at 4:30 p.m. With a loss, the Lions would play at 3 p.m. in the seventh-place game.
• John Harrell prediction: Rock Creek 51, Paoli 49.
• Sagarin projection: Paoli by 2.
• Outlook: This could be a statement win for Rock Creek.
• Greg’s pick: Rock Creek 57, Paoli 56.
SOUTH CENTRAL (2-5) VS. NORTH KNOX (7-2)
• Time: 4:45 p.m.
• Events: Baird Winter Classic, second round.
• Location: Memorial Gym (412 East 5th Street, Huntingburg)
• Coaches:
South Central — Greg Robinson (175-173 in 16th season at South Central, 197-236 in 20th season overall)
North Knox — Daniel Crabtree (28-28 in third season at North Knox)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
South Central — No. 317, No. 56 Class A
North Knox — No. 202, No. 37 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
South Central — Defeated Southridge 45-43 (Baird Winter Classic, first round, Dec. 28)
North Knox — Defeated Princeton 61-44 (Baird Winter Classic, first round, Dec. 28)
• Last 20 years: First meeting.
• News & notes: With a win Wednesday, South Central will play for the tournament championship against either Orleans (7-1) or Evansville Christian (5-3) on Thursday at 7:45 p.m. With a loss, the Rebels will play either the Bulldogs or Eagles in the consolation game at 5:30 p.m.
• John Harrell prediction: North Knox 52, South Central 41.
• Sagarin projection: North Knox by 15.
• Outlook: This is a pretty good Warrior team. South Central is going to have to play very well to advance to the title game.
• Greg’s pick: North Knox 56, South Central 43.
CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (4-4) VS. NORTHEAST DUBOIS (2-5)
• Time: Noon.
• Events: Baird Winter Classic, second round.
• Location: Memorial Gym (412 East 5th Street, Huntingburg)
• Coaches:
CAI — Hayden Casey (13-21 in second season at CAI)
Northeast Dubois — Terry Friedman (178-183 in 16th season at Northeast Dubois)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
CAI — No. 263, No. 37 Class A
Northeast Dubois — No. 290, No. 46 Class A
• Most recent game:
CAI — Lost to Evansville Christian 74-72 (Baird Winter Classic, first round, Dec. 28)
Northeast Dubois — Lost to Orleans 51-36 (Baird Winter Classic, first round, Dec. 28)
• Last 20 years: First meeting.
• News & notes: The Warriors will face either Princeton (3-5) or host Southridge (3-5) in Thursday’s final round. With a win, CAI would play for fifth place at 3:45 p.m. With a loss, it will play in the seventh-place game at 2 p.m. Thursday.
• John Harrell prediction: Christian Academy 60, Northeast Dubois 51.
• Sagarin projection: CAI by 4.
• Outlook: The Warriors showed Tuesday that they can compete with a really good Class A team. They should win this one.
• Greg’s pick: Christian Academy 70, Northeast Dubois 61.
NEW WASHINGTON (2-4) VS. SOUTH DEARBORN (4-2)
• Time: 10 a.m.
• Events: Morristown Holiday Tournament, first round.
• Location: The Hive, Morristown H.S. (223 Patterson St., Morristown)
• Coaches:
New Washington — Kyle Brown (11-19 in second season at New Wash)
South Dearborn — Matt Colston (17-14 in second season at South Dearborn, 127-107 in ninth season overall)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
New Washington — No. 353, No. 67 Class A
South Dearborn — No. 236, No. 46 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
New Washington — Lost to Eastern 72-43 (Dec. 21)
South Dearborn — Lost to Connersville 45-33 (Dec. 17)
• Last 20 years: South Dearborn 1-0.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 29, 2020 — South Dearborn 52, New Washington 45.
• News & notes: The tournament at Morristown is a 7-team, 10-game tournament. If New Wash will face the host Yellow Jackets (0-6) either at 2:30 (with a loss) or 7 p.m. (with a win) on Wednesday. The final round is Thursday and will be played at 1 p.m. (fifth place), 3 p.m. (third place) or 5 p.m. (championship).
• John Harrell prediction: South Dearborn 67, New Washington 34.
• Sagarin projection: South Dearborn by 17.
• Outlook: The Mustangs are young. This tournament will be a learning experience.
• Greg’s pick: South Dearborn 68, New Washington 54.
LANESVILLE (1-9) VS. SOUTH PUTNAM (2-7)
• Time: 2 p.m.
• Events: Edinburgh Classic, final round.
• Location: Edinburgh H.S. (300 S. Keeley, Edinburgh)
• Coaches:
Lanesville — Mikel Miller (288-218 in 22nd season at Lanesville)
South Putnam — Matt Pickerill (2-7 in first season at South Putnam)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Lanesville — No. 311, No. 55 Class A
South Putnam — No. 335, No. 85 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
Lanesville — Lost to Hagerstown 67-60 (Edinburgh Classic, second round, Dec. 28)
South Putnam — Lost to Hauser 67-64 (Edinburgh Classic, second round, Dec. 28)
• Last 20 years: First meeting.
• News & notes: South Putnam and Lanesville, which lost twice Tuesday, including a 68-48 loss against the host Lancers, are playing for seventh place in the tournament.
• John Harrell prediction: Lanesville 56, South Putnam 51.
• Sagarin projection: Lanesville by 3.
• Outlook: Lanesville should get its second win of the season.
• Greg’s pick: Lanesville 63, South Putnam 52.
WEST WASHINGTON (1-6) VS. BENTON CENTRAL (6-3)
• Time: 3 p.m.
• Events: Clay City Invitational, second round.
• Location: Eel Dome, Clay City H.S. (601 Lankford St., Clay City)
• Coaches:
West Washington — Clayton Sullivan (40-42 in fourth season at West Washington)
Benton Central — Ben Lambeck (6-3 in first season at Benton Central)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
West Washington — No. 310, No. 54 Class A
Benton Central — No. 160, No. 42 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
West Washington — Lost to Traders Point Christian 56-43 (Clay City Invitational, first round, Dec. 28)
Benton Central — Lost to Fort Wayne North 72-60 (Clay City Invitational, first round, Dec. 28)
• Last 20 years: First meeting.
• News & notes: The Senators will play Riverton Parke (4-3) or North Vermillion (2-7) in Thursday’s final round. With a win, West Washington will play for fifth place at 4:30 p.m. With a loss, it will play for seventh at 3 p.m.
• John Harrell prediction: Benton Central 65, West Washington 44.
• Sagarin projection: Benton Central by 23.
• Outlook: This is a tough opponent for a consolation bracket.
• Greg’s pick: Benton Central 66, West Washington 49.
