By GREG MENGELT
This year is no different. The Lions and Dragons meet Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in the Hoosier Hills Hoops Game of the Night.
Both teams have been contenders with Salem winning sectional championships in 2015, 2018, 2019 and 2020, plus a state championship appearance in 2020. Silver Creek finally broke through and beat the Lions last year en route to a Mid-Southern Conference championship and eventually the programs’ first state championship.
Salem has struggled a bit this season and is 8-5 through 13 games. The Dragons have done anything but struggle, winning their first 12 games of the season and currently standing at
This game has been a marquee matchup in Southern Indiana over the last few years,” Salem coach Jerry Hickey said. “I think this is Coach (Scott) Schoen’s greatest coaching job that I’ve seen since coming to Salem 10 years ago. To lose three outstanding players in Jaclyn Emly, Marissa Gassaway and Alanna Striverson and come back as one of the best teams in the state is a testament to their coaching staff and players.”
Salem goes to Sellersburg where the Dragons are 7-0 this season. The Lions 1-5 away from home this season.
“We have struggled to win on the road this year, but hopefully we can get that turned around this Saturday and start playing our best basketball in the last month of the season,” Hickey said.
GAME OF THE NIGHT
SALEM AT SILVER CREEK
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Silver Creek H.S. (557 Renz Ave., Sellersburg)
• Records:
Salem 8-5, 2-2 MSC. The Lions have won two of their last three and four of their last seven.
Silver Creek 15-1, 4-0 MSC. The Dragons have won three straight and 25 of their last 26 overall.
• Coaches:
Salem — Jerry Hickey (145-70 in ninth season at Salem)
Silver Creek — Scott Schoen (170-109 in 12th season at Silver Creek)
• Rankings:
Silver Creek — No. 10 IBCA (single class); No. 2 ICGSA (Class 3A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Salem — No. 63, No. 16 Class 3A
Silver Creek — No. 18, No. 3 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Salem — Lost at Vincennes Rivet 46-41 (Jan. 4)
Silver Creek — Won at Vincennes 65-45 (Vincennes Invitational, championship, Dec. 29)
• Last 20 years: Silver Creek 15-12. The Dragons beat Salem twice last season, but the Lions have won six of the last eight in the series.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 6, 2021 — Silver Creek 46, Salem 27 (Class 3A Madison Sectional championship)
• John Harrell prediction: Silver Creek 57, Salem 44.
• Sagarin projection: Silver Creek by 16.
• Outlook: Salem has a good team with a lot of experience, but Silver Creek is clearly on a different level. It’s going to take a massive effort for anyone to keep the Dragons from winning another state championship.
• Greg’s pick: Silver Creek 64, Salem 43.
NEW ALBANY AT FLOYD CENTRAL
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Joe Hinton Court, Floyd Central H.S. (6575 Old Vincennes Rd., Floyds Knobs)
• Records:
New Albany 5-12, 0-2 HHC. The Bulldogs have lost four consecutive games.
Floyd Central 5-10, 0-3 HHC. The Highlanders have won two of their last three.
• Coaches:
New Albany — Shelby Gliebe (11-28 in second season at New Albany, 15-47 in third season overall)
Floyd Central — Randy Gianfagna (25-57 in fourth season at Floyd)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
New Albany — No. 143, No. 59 Class 4A
Floyd Central — No. 115, No. 53 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
New Albany — Lost to Eastern 62-54 (Jan. 4)
Floyd Central — Lost to Lanesville 49-32 (Dec. 30)
• Last 20 years: New Albany 17-6. The Bulldogs have won their last two and 10 of their last 11 vs. Floyd.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 9, 2021 — At New Albany 41, New Albany 40.
• John Harrell prediction: Floyd Central 49, New Albany 43.
• Sagarin projection: Floyd by 8.
• Outlook: Of course, this is a tossup. As much of a tossup as any game Saturday, but New Albany probably has the best player on the court so I’ll take the Bulldogs by a point.
• Greg’s pick: New Albany 48, Floyd Central 47.
CHARLESTOWN AT BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL
• Time: 1:30 p.m.
• Location: Brownstown Central H.S. (500 N. Elm St., Brownstown)
• Records:
Charlestown 11-5, 3-2 MSC. The Pirates have lost three of their last five.
Brownstown 9-9, 2-4 MSC. The Braves have won five of their last six and six of their last eight after a 2-6 start.
• Coaches:
Charlestown — Scott Matthews (77-57 in sixth season at Charlestown)
Brownstown — Brandon Allman (54-20 in third season at Brownstown)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Charlestown — No. 62, No. 15 Class 3A
Brownstown — No. 121, No. 37 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Charlestown — Won at Madison 39-26 (Jan. 7)
Brownstown — Lost to Madison 44-41 (Jan. 4)
• Last 20 years: Brownstown Central 17-13. The Braves have beaten Charlestown five consecutive times.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 9 — Brownstown 52, at Charlestown 46.
• John Harrell prediction: Charlestown 52, Brownstown 40.
• Sagarin projection: Charlestown by 8.
• Outlook: Brownstown lost at home to Madison, the Pirates just won at Madison. Three days apart. That makes for a pretty easy formula.
• Greg’s pick: Charlestown 51, Brownstown 41.
NEW WASHINGTON AT CLARKSVILLE
• Time: 6 p.m.
• Location: Clarksville H.S. Main Gymnasium (800 Dr. Dot Lewis Drive, Clarksville)
• Records:
New Washington 7-8. The Mustangs have won their last two games and three of their last four.
Clarksville 3-14. The Generals have lost their last two games and eight of their last nine.
• Coaches:
New Washington — Kirsti Holloway (62-91 in seventh season at New Wash)
Clarksville — Amanda Carmichael (11-30 in second season at Clarksville, 71-124 in ninth season overall)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
New Washington — No. 220, No. 27 Class A
Clarksville — No. 366, No. 94 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
New Washington — Won at Henryville 45-32 (Jan. 5)
Clarksville — Lost to Providence 49-14 (Jan. 7)
• Last 20 years: New Washington 9-2. The Mustangs have won eight straight vs. Clarksville going back to 2001-02.
• Most recent meeting: Nov. 6, 2021 — New Washington 69, Clarksville 31 (South Dearborn Tipoff Tournament, consolation game)
• John Harrell prediction: New Washington 57, Clarksville 25.
• Sagarin projection: New Wash by 28.
• Outlook: New Wash has a chance to get on a roll and win a lot of games heading into the sectional.
• Greg’s pick: New Washington 49, Clarksville 29.
CROTHERSVILLE AT LANESVILLE
• Time: Noon.
• Location: Lanesville H.S. (2725 Crestview Ave. NE, Lanesville)
• Records:
Crothersville 2-8, 0-2 SAC. The Tigers have lost their last two games.
Lanesville 16-1, 2-0 SAC. The top-ranked Eagles have won 12 consecutive games.
• Coaches:
Crothersville — Kevin Hensley (115-167 in 13th season at Crothersville)
Lanesville — Angie Hinton (78-16 in fourth season at Lanesville, 25189 in 15th season overall)
• Rankings:
Lanesville — No. 1 ICGSA (Class A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Crothersville — No. 364, No. 79 Class A
Lanesville — No. 50, No. 2 Class A
• Most recent game:
Crothersville — Lost to Henryville 49-16 (Jan. 4)
Lanesville — Defeated South Central 82-5 (Jan. 4)
• Last 20 years: Lanesville 14-6. The Eagles have won their last two matchups with Crothersville.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 11, 2021 — At Lanesville 60, Crothersville 34.
• John Harrell prediction: Lanesville 77, Crothersville 7.
• Sagarin projection: Lanesville by 65.
• Outlook: No comment. (It wouldn’t be nice to the Tigers.)
• Greg’s pick: Lanesville 72, Crothersville 8.
NORTH HARRISON AT SEYMOUR
• Time: 1:30 p.m.
• Location: Lloyd E. Scott Gymnasium, Seymour H.S. (1350 W. Second St., Seymour)
• Records:
North Harrison 9-6. The Lady Cats have lost their last two.
Seymour 8-8. The Owls have lost their last two.
• Coaches:
North Harrison — Jamie Kolkmeier (21-12 in second season at North Harrison)
Seymour — Jason Longmeier (120-100 in 10th season at Seymour, 154-150 in 14th season overall)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
North Harrison — No. 138, No. 43 Class 3A
Seymour — No. 103, No. 50 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
North Harrison — Lost at Trinity Lutheran 50-40 (Dec. 23)
Seymour — Lost to Columbus East 70-38 (Jan. 6)
• Last 20 years: North Harrison 5-3. The Lady Cats have won three of their last four vs. North Harrison.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 11, 2020 — At Seymour 56, North Harrison 44.
• John Harrell prediction: Seymour 51, North Harrison 49.
• Sagarin projection: Seymour by 8.
• Outlook: The Owls should win going away.
• Greg’s pick: Seymour 52, North Harrison 36.
PROVIDENCE CRISTO REY AT PROVIDENCE
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Location: Larkin Center, Our Lady of Providence (707 Providence Way, Clarksville)
• Records:
PCR 0-10. The Wolves have lost 25 games in a row dating back to last season.
Providence 4-11. The Pioneers have won two of their last three.
• Coaches:
PCR — Andrew Dishman (29-66 in fifth season at PCR)
Providence — Brad Burden (163-159 in 14th season at Providence)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
PCR — No. 395, No. 94 Class A
Providence — No. 300, No. 77 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
PCR — Lost to Central Christian 51-14 (Dec. 18)
Providence — Won at Clarksville 49-14 (Jan. 7)
• Last 20 years: First meeting.
• John Harrell prediction: Providence 75, PCR 10.
• Sagarin projection: Providence by 51.
• Outlook: According to the computer-based Sagarin Ratings, PCR is the worst team in all of Indiana. Should be a good night for the Pioneers.
• Greg’s pick: Providence 68, PCR 14.
BORDEN AT PAOLI
• Time: 12:30 p.m.
• Location: Paoli H.S. (501 Elm St., Paoli)
• Records:
Borden 9-6. The Braves have won four of their last seven.
Paoli 10-7. The Rams have won two in a row, three of their last four and six of their last eight.
• Coaches:
Borden — Matt Vick (43-62 in fifth season at Borden)
Paoli — Donavan Crews (20-13 in second season at Paoli)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Borden — No. 310, No. 54 Class A
Paoli — No. 163, No. 36 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
Borden — Lost to Austin 59-37 (Dec. 28)
Paoli — Defeated Perry Central 57-23 (Jan. 4)
• Last 20 years: Paoli 14-7. The Rams have beaten Borden four straight times they’ve played.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 9, 2021 — At Paoli 49, Borden 16.
• John Harrell prediction: Paoli 57, Borden 28.
• Sagarin projection: Paoli by 25.
• Outlook: Borden’s in need of a win, but it appears the Rams are significantly better.
• Greg’s pick: Paoli 55, Borden 40.
CHRISTIAN ACADEMY AT TRINITY LUTHERAN
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Trinity Lutheran H.S. (1 Trinity Way, Seymour)
• Records:
CAI 5-9. The Warriors have won three of their last four.
Trinity Lutheran 11-5. The Cougars have lost two of their last three.
• Coaches:
CAI — Carson Casey (13-44 in third season at CAI)
Trinity Lutheran — Mike Lang (178-83 in 11th season at Trinity Lutheran)
• Rankings:
Trinity Lutheran — No. 10 ICGSA (Class A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
CAI — No. 351, No. 74 Class A
Trinity Lutheran — No. 160, No. 13 Class A
• Most recent game:
CAI — Defeated South Central 44-28 (Whitefield (Ky.) Invitational, consolation game, Dec. 29)
Trinity Lutheran — Defeated Greenwood Christian (Jan. 4)
• Last 20 years: Trinity Lutheran 13-4. The Cougars have won 11 consecutive vs. CAI.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 10, 2020 — Trinity Lutheran 77, CAI 7.
• John Harrell prediction: Trinity Lutheran 63, CAI 24.
• Sagarin projection: Trinity Lutheran by 28.
• Outlook: The Cougars are one of the region’s top Class A teams again.
• Greg’s pick: Trinity Lutheran 53, CAI 30.
ORLEANS AT HENRYVILLE
• Time: 12:30 p.m.
• Location: Furnish Gym, Henryville H.S. (213 N. Ferguson St., Henryville)
• Records:
Orleans 3-13. The Bulldogs have lost 13 of their last 14 after a 2-0 start.
Henryville 6-9. The Hornets have won four of their last six after a 2-7 start.
• Coaches:
Orleans — Jared Gilbert (60-70 in sixth season at Orleans)
Henryville — Tuesday Guernsey (21-36 in third season at Henryville)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Orleans — No. 319, No. 60 Class A
Henryville — No. 335, No. 84 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
Orleans — Lost to North Daviess 35-30, OT (Famersburg Ladybird Classic, third-place game, Dec. 29)
Henryville — Lost to New Washington 45-32 (Jan. 5)
• Last 20 years: Orleans 12-8. The Bulldogs have won their last two games vs. Henryville.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 11, 2021 — At Orleans 58, Henryville 11.
• John Harrell prediction: Orleans 38, Henryville 35.
• Sagarin projection: Orleans by 1.
• Outlook: Give me Henryville at home in a thriller.
• Greg’s pick: Henryville 39, Orleans 37.
PORTLAND CHRISTIAN AT SOUTH CENTRAL
• Time: 2 p.m.
• Location: South Central H.S. Main Gym (6675 E. Hwy. 11 S.E., Elizabeth)
• Records:
Portland Christian 4-5. The Eagles have won three of their last four and four of the their last six.
South Central 1-11. The Rebels have lost five consecutive games.
• Coaches:
Portland Christian — Jared Slaughter (Coaching record unavailable)
South Central — Lynne Thomas (4-45 in third season at South Central)
• Most recent game:
Portland Christian — Defeated Shawnee 1-0 by fofeit (Jan. 4)
South Central — Lost at Lanesville 82-5 (Jan. 4)
• Last 20 years: Portland Christian 1-0.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 8, 2021 — At Portland Christian 57, South Central 47.
• Outlook: The Eagles should win handily.
• Greg’s pick: Portland Christian 55, South Central 28.
EDINBURGH AT WEST WASHINGTON
• Time: 6 p.m.
• Location: Tower Gymnasium, West Washington H.S. (8028 W. Batt Rd., Campbellsburg)
• Records:
Edinburgh 8-6. The Lancers have lost two in a row in the heels of a 4-game winning streak.
West Washington 10-4. The Senators have won three straight.
• Coaches:
Edinburgh — Amy Schilling (76-120 in ninth season at Edinburgh, 101-159 in 12th season overall)
West Washington — Matthew Myers (18-19 in second season at West Washington)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Edinburgh — No. 301, No. 52 Class A
West Washington — No. 257, No. 36 Class A
• Most recent game:
Edinburgh — Lost at Speedway 67-46 (Jan. 5)
West Washington — Defeated Springs Valley 41-40 (Dec. 21)
• Last 20 years: West Washington 4-1.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 2, 2021 — West Washington 43, Edinburgh 40 (Class A Edinburgh Sectional, first round)
• John Harrell prediction: West Washington 44, Edinburgh 35.
• Sagarin projection: West Washington by 11.
• Outlook: The Senators add to their already strong season.
• Greg’s pick: West Washington 41, Edinburgh 33.
