By GREG MENGELT

Salem and Scottsburg have both had good years, but neither has been a major factor in the Mid-Southern Conference race.

So it’s not about that anymore for these teams. Going forward, for most every team, the season becomes about the playoffs. The local Class 3A sectional, which will be played at North Harrison this season, looks like defending state champion Silver Creek’s to lose, but Salem and Scottsburg (along with Corydon Central, Charlestown, Madison and North Harrison) want to be there if the 17-1 Dragons stumble.

The 8-6 Lions and 10-7 Warriorettes meet in Thursday’s Hoosier Hills Hoops Game of the Night with gaining momentum the goal.

“We’re looking to improve each game heading into the postseason,” Scottsburg’s second-year coach Carrie Daniels said. “We have been very inconsistent this season, largely in part to youth and relying on some players that haven’t had a lot of minutes in the past.”

Salem, which has been in contention for championship for more than a half-decade now, has also been inconsistent this season, but everyone knows the Lions are talented and will be dangerous in February.

“Salem is always a tough place to play and they are a very good veteran team,” Daniels said. “They have been in the trenches and know what it takes. We have got to step up and rely on our defense to get some stops and convert them into offense.”

GAME OF THE NIGHT
SCOTTSBURG AT SALEM
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Brooks Memorial Gymnasium, Salem H.S. (700 N. Harrison St., Salem)
• Records:
Scottsburg 10-7, 2-4 MSC. The Warriorettes have alternated wins and losses over their last 11 games.
Salem 8-6, 2-2 MSC. The Lions have lost two straight and four of their last six.
• Coaches:
Scottsburg — Carrie Daniels (18-22 in second season at Scottsburg, 121-78 in seventh season overall)
Salem — Jerry Hickey (145-71 in ninth season at Salem)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Scottsburg — No. 87, No. 24 Class 3A
Salem — No. 66, No. 16 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Scottsburg — Won at Seymour 46-43 (Jan. 4)
Salem — Lost at Silver Creek 41-31 (Jan. 8)
• Last 20 years: 13-13. Salem has won eight straight in the series.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 14, 2021 — Salem 77, at Scottsburg 44.
• News & notes: Salem beat the Warriorettes twice last season, 77-44 in the regular season and 70-47 in the postseason.
• John Harrell prediction: Salem 54, Scottsburg 43.
• Sagarin projection: Salem by 12.
• Outlook: The Lions have a couple unexpected losses, but it would be silly to count them out next month.
• Greg’s pick: Salem 60, Scottsburg 49.

LANESVILLE AT ROCK CREEK
• Time: 6 p.m.
• Location: Rock Creek Academy/Restoration Christian Church (8000 Diefenbach Ln., Sellersburg)
• Records:
Lanesville 18-1. The Eagles have won 14 in a row.
Rock Creek 7-7. Rock Creek has lost their last three.
• Coaches:
Lanesville — Angie Hinton (80-16 in fourth season at Lanesville, 252-89 in 15th season overall)
Rock Creek — Sara Nord (9-16 in second season at Rock Creek)
• Rankings:
Lanesville — No. 1 AP (Class A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Lanesville — No. 46, No. 2 Class A
Rock Creek — No. 324, No. 63 Class A
• Most recent game:
Lanesville — Won at Trinity Lutheran 70-47 (Jan. 11)
Rock Creek — Lost at Shawe 46-34 (Jan. 10)
• Last 20 years: Lanesville 24-1. The Eagles have won their last three games against Rock Creek.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 7, 2020 — Lanesville 66, Rock Creek 19 (Class A New Washington Sectional semifinal)
• John Harrell prediction: Lanesville 66, Rock Creek 17.
• Sagarin projection: Lanesville by 43.
• Outlook: The Eagles are proving they’re a true state finals contender.
• Greg’s pick: Lanesville 67, Rock Creek 20.

AUSTIN AT NORTH HARRISON
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: North Harrison H.S. (1070 Hwy. 64 N.W., Ramsey)
• Records:
Austin 5-9, 0-5 MSC. The Eagles have won three of their last four.
North Harrison 9-7, 3-2 MSC. The Lady Cats have lost three in a row.
• Coaches:
Austin — Jared Petersen (236-173 in 17th season at Austin)
North Harrison — Jamie Kolkmeier (21-13 in second season at North Harrison)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Austin — No. 198, No. 45 Class 2A
North Harrison — No. 141, No. 43 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Austin — Lost at Crawford County 74-73, OT (Jan. 4)
North Harrison — Lost at Seymour 54-32 (Jan. 8)
• Last 20 years: North Harrison 12-8. The Lady Cats are riding a 6-game winning streak vs. Austin.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 14, 2021 — North Harrison 57, at Austin 44.
• John Harrell prediction: North Harrison 53, Austin 41.
• Sagarin projection: North Harrison by 12.
• Outlook: I like the way Austin’s playing. I’ll take the upset.
• Greg’s pick: Austin 50, North Harrison 49.

CLARKSVILLE AT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Christian Academy of Indiana (1000 Academy Dr., New Albany)
• Records:
Clarksville 3-15. The Generals have lost three straight.
CAI 5-10. The Warriors have lost two of their last three but have won three of their last five.
• Coaches:
Clarksville — Amanda Carmichael (11-31 in second season at Clarksville, 71-125 in ninth season overall)
CAI — Carson Casey (13-45 in third season at CAI)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Clarksville — No. 369, No. 95 Class 2A
CAI — No. 351, No. 74 Class A
• Most recent game:
Clarksville — Lost to New Washington 59-20 (Jan. 8)
CAI — Lost at Portland Christian 51-36 (Jan. 10)
• Last 20 years: Clarksville 11-10.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 7, 2021 — CAI 35, at Clarksville 26.
• John Harrell prediction: Christian Academy 42, Clarksville 31.
• Sagarin projection: Christian Academy by 12.
• Outlook: This is a chance at a rematch for the Generals, but it might be even tougher at CAI.
• Greg’s pick: CAI 45, Clarksville 30.

CRAWFORD COUNTY AT WEST WASHINGTON
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Tower Gymnasium, West Washington H.S. (8028 W. Batt Rd., Campbellsburg)
• Records:
Crawford County 7-10. The Wolfpack have won their last two of six of their last nine.
West Washington 12-4. The Senators are currently on a 6-game winning streak.
• Coaches:
Crawford County — Christopher Broughton (118-92 in ninth season at Crawford)
West Washington — Matthew Myers (20-19 in second season at West Washington)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Crawford County — No. 203, No. 46 Class 2A
West Washington — No. 263, No. 37 Class A
• Most recent game:
Crawford County — Defeated Springs Valley 37-34 (Jan. 11)
West Washington — Won at Rock Creek 50-30 (Jan. 10)
• Last 20 years: Crawford County 17-3. The Wolfpack have won seven in a row in the series.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 25, 2021 — At Crawford County 36, West Washington 21.
• John Harrell prediction: Crawford County 44, West Washington 36.
• Sagarin projection: Crawford Count by 5.
• Outlook: This game could go either way, but I like the way the Senators have found ways to get wins.
• Greg’s pick: West Washington 45, Crawford County 42.

ORLEANS AT BORDEN
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Borden Junior-Senior H.S. (301 West St., Borden)
• Records:
Orleans 4-14. The Bulldogs have lost three of their last four and 14 of their last 16.
Borden 9-7. The Braves have lost their last two.
• Coaches:
Orleans — Jared Gilbert (61-71 in sixth season at Orleans)
Borden — Matt Vick (43-63 in fifth season at Borden)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Orleans — No. 325, No. 64 Class A
Borden — No. 316, No. 59 Class A
• Most recent game:
Orleans — Defeated White River Valley 55-42 (Jan. 11)
Borden — Lost at Paoli 57-13 (Jan. 8)
• Last 20 years: Orleans 12-8. The Bulldogs have beaten Borden three consecutive times.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 16, 2021 — Orleans 53, at Borden 45.
• John Harrell prediction: Borden 40, Orleans 39.
• Sagarin projection: Borden by 6.
• Outlook: Toss ups favor the home team.
• Greg’s pick: Borden 49, Orleans 43.