By GREG MENGELT
It had already been a crazy season, filled with suspensions and injuries and illness. The Devils got star senior Will Lovings-Watts back from suspension and beat Louisville Waggener on Dec. 22. Then came Covid and a mandatory 14-day layoff. Then a couple of snow days canceling practices.
“Hopefully this is the end of it,” second-year Jeff coach Andrew Grantz said. “It’s been an insane, one-of-a-kind year.”
After the two snow days, Grantz and his wife Jenna welcomed their second child, son Garrison Grantz on Saturday at 5:18 a.m.
“It’s definitely been the most interesting year I’ve had,” Grantz said.
On Friday, Jeff (2-5) goes to the Knobs to face 20th-ranked Floyd Central (7-2) in the Hoosier Hills Hoops Game of the Night. It will actually be the first game that Grantz will be the acting head coach for Jeff since Dec. 4. After his bout with pneumonia, he acted as an assistant coach for a couple of games before the Covid outbreak.
Floyd Central coach Todd Sturgeon said he’s never seen anything like what’s happened to Jeff’s program so far this season.
“It’s been an unbelievable first two months of the season for them,” Sturgeon said. “I don’t think their top three players have played a single game together, their coach has missed games. I don’t remember a team going through what they’ve gone through.”
Jeff’s time away will make for an interesting storyline Friday.
“It will make them tough to scout,” Sturgeon said. “Who knows what they’ve put in since the last time they played? Obviously we don’t expect them to be in mid-season form, but they may come out loose and play free. We have no idea really how things are going to turn out.”
The Highlanders, whose 75-51 win over Corydon Central last Friday was their only game in the past 16 days, have been the best team in Southern Indiana through the first few weeks of the season. Floyd’s two losses have come by a combined eight points and that includes a 5-point overtime loss at Jeffersontown (Ky.) on Dec. 11.
“Floyd is a very well coached team. A very big team, very physical team,” Grantz said. “We’re looking at this as our real first true game of year. I’ll be interested to see how our guys respond to that against a good quality opponent.”
Sturgeon has mixed feelings about his team’s 7-2 start. The Highlanders and Bedford North Lawrence are the only unbeaten teams left in the Hoosier Hills Conference. Jeff, Columbus East and Jennings County are winless in league play.
“Like most coaches, I feel like we could’ve done better so far, but overall, if you told me at the beginning of the year we’d be 7-2 and beaten Bloomington South and New Albany and Providence, I’d probably have been OK with that. Really, we’re a couple of possessions from being undefeated. We had shots to win both games. It’s possible we could be 5-4, too, if you choose to look at it that way.”
The Red Devils beat the Highlanders 66-64 in a triple-overtime thriller in last year’s Seymour Sectional semifinal en route to the program’s 39th sectional title. Jeff was our preseason Hoosier Hills and sectional favorites. Floyd appears to be as of today.
“The two teams that have beaten us (Pike and J-Town) are similar teams to Jeff,” Sturgeon said. “That’s why we scheduled them. We get a third crack at it. We’ll see how it turns out this time.”
Grantz said during the break that the Red Devils have put the 2021 portion of the schedule behind them.
“It’s the first time this entire time that we’ve had everybody we started the season with,” Grantz said. “We’re almost approaching it as a brand new year within our program. Anything that was 2021 was last season.”
The Red Devils should be ready to go Friday, assuming it actually happens.
“Fingers crossed,” Grantz said. “ Right now we haven’t gotten through a day without something crazy happening.”
GAME OF THE NIGHT
JEFFERSONVILLE AT FLOYD CENTRAL
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Joe Hinton Court, Floyd Central H.S. (6575 Old Vincennes Rd., Floyds Knobs)
• Records:
Jeffersonville 2-5, 0-1 HHC. The Red Devils have lost five of their last six but haven’t played since Dec. 22.
Floyd Central 7-2, 1-0 HHC. The Highlanders have won two in a row and four of their last five.
• Coaches:
Jeffersonville — Andrew Grantz (17-12 in second season at Jeff, 105-54 season overall)
Floyd Central — Todd Sturgeon (129-42 in eighth season at Floyd)
• Rankings:
Floyd Central — No. 20 IBCA (single class).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Jeffersonville — No. 147, No. 74 Class 4A
Floyd Central — No. 24, No. 20 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
Jeffersonville — Defeated Louisville Waggener 74-67 (Dec. 22, MAC’s Childcare Holiday Classic at PRP)
Floyd Central — Defeated Corydon Central 75-51 (Jan. 7)
• Last 20 years: Jeffersonville 29-15. The two programs have split their last 14 meetings.
• Most recent meeting: March 5, 2021— Jeffersonville 66, Floyd Central 64, 3OT (Class 4A Seymour Sectional semifinal)
• News & notes: It’s been 22 days since Jeff’s last game, but the Highlanders have also only played once in the last 15 days.
• John Harrell prediction: Floyd Central 65, Jeffersonville 49.
• Sagarin projection: Floyd by 19.
• Outlook: I don’t know. Anything could happen. Jeff is apparently whole and healthy for the first time this year, but the Highlanders are rested and look like the HHC’s and sectional’s best team.
• Greg’s pick: Floyd Central 69, Jeffersonville 53.
EASTERN AT NORTH HARRISON
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: North Harrison H.S. (1070 Hwy. 64 N.W., Ramsey)
• Records:
Eastern 11-1, 2-1 MSC. The Musketeers have won 10 in a row and their last two conference games.
North Harrison 7-2, 3-1 MSC. The Cougars on currently on a 3-game winning streak.
• Coaches:
Eastern — Chandler Prible (23-14 in second season at Eastern)
North Harrison — Lou Lefevre (43-12 in third season at North Harrison, 308-92 in 18th season overall)
• Rankings:
Eastern — No. 12 AP (Class 2A).
North Harrison — No. 12 AP (Class 3A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Eastern — No. 107, No. 13 Class 2A
North Harrison — No. 50, No. 9 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Eastern — Won at Austin 78-61 (Jan. 8)
North Harrison — Won at Scottsburg 56-52, OT (Jan. 8)
• Last 20 years: North Harrison 13-7. The Cougars have won six consecutive vs. Eastern.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 15, 2021 — North Harrison 64, at Eastern 39.
• John Harrell prediction: North Harrison 62, Eastern 51.
• Sagarin projection: North Harrison by 11.
• Outlook: Man, if Eastern wins this one, we really need to start to take the Musketeers very seriously.
• Greg’s pick: North Harrison 62, Eastern 55.
BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL AT SILVER CREEK
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Silver Creek H.S. (557 Renz Ave., Sellersburg)
• Records:
Brownstown 8-2, 3-0 MSC. The Braves have lost their last two after starting 8-0.
Silver Creek 6-6, 1-2 MSC. The Dragons have won their of their last four.
• Coaches:
Brownstown — Dave Benter (411-155 season at Brownstown)
Silver Creek — Brandon Hoffman (207-79 season at Silver Creek)
• Rankings:
Brownstown — No. 9 AP (Class 3A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Brownstown — No. 62, No. 13 Class 3A
Silver Creek — No. 124, No. 33 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Brownstown — Lost at Jennings County 75-66 (Jan. 7)
Silver Creek — Lost at Eastern 65-59 (Jan. 7)
• Last 20 years: Brownstown 14-10. Silver Creek has beaten the Braves the last three times they’ve played.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 15, 2021 — Silver Creek 61, at Brownstown 40.
• John Harrell prediction: Brownstown by 3.
• Sagarin projection: Brownstown 60, Silver Creek 59.
• Outlook: I expect the Dragons to rise to the challenge and win this game at home.
• Greg’s pick: Silver Creek 63, Brownstown 60.
AUSTIN AT BORDEN
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Borden Junior-Senior H.S. (301 West St., Borden)
• Records:
Austin 2-7. The Eagles have lost two straight and four of their last five.
Borden 8-4. The Braves have won four of their last five games.
• Coaches:
Austin — Randy Edwards (37-69 in fifth season at Austin)
Borden — Doc Nash (212-153 in 16th season at Borden)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Austin — No. 266, No. 59 Class 2A
Borden — No. 226, No. 26 Class A
• Most recent game:
Austin — Lost to Eastern 78-61 (Jan. 8)
Borden — Lost to Rock Creek 57-42 (Jan. 8)
• Last 20 years: Borden 11-9. The Braves have won the last two in a very competitive series.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 15, 2021 — Borden 79, at Austin 58.
• News & notes: Nash was an assistant coach at Austin under Scott Matthews before landing at Borden for the past 16 seasons.
• John Harrell prediction: Borden 63, Austin 55.
• Sagarin projection: Borden by 9.
• Outlook: The Braves should win at home, but I don’t think it would be a surprise if Austin left with the win.
• Greg’s pick: Borden 70, Austin 65.
CLARKSVILLE AT CORYDON CENTRAL
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Corydon Central H.S. (375 Country Club Rd., Corydon)
• Records:
Clarksville 4-6. The Generals have won two of their last three.
Corydon Central 6-6. The Panthers have won four of their last five.
• Coaches:
Clarksville — Kyle Hankins (4-6 in first season at Clarksville)
Corydon Central — Joseph Hinton (27-32 in third season at Corydon Central)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Clarksville — No. 269, No. 61 Class 2A
Corydon Central — No. 166, No. 45 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Clarksville — Defeated New Washington 62-60 (Jan. 8)
Corydon Central — Lost at Floyd Central 75-51 (Jan. 7)
• Last 20 years: Corydon Central 11-9. The Panthers have won the last two vs. Clarksville.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 15, 2021 — Corydon Central 63, at Clarksville 58.
• John Harrell prediction: Corydon Central 63, Clarksville 48.
• Sagarin projection: Corydon by 15.
• Outlook: Both teams have been a little inconsistent, but it’s pretty clear the Panthers are the better team at this point in the season.
• Greg’s pick: Corydon Central 68, Clarksville 47.
LANESVILLE AT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Christian Academy of Indiana (1000 Academy Dr., New Albany)
• Records:
Lanesville 2-10. The Eagles have lost three of their last five.
Christian Academy 6-6. The Warriors have alternated wins and losses over the last eight games.
• Coaches:
Lanesville — Mikel Miller (289-219 in 22nd season at Lanesville)
Christian Academy — Hayden Casey (15-23 in second season at CAI)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Lanesville — No. 334, No. 63 Class A
Christian Academy — No. 254, No. 37 Class A
• Most recent game:
Lanesville — Lost at South Central 57-50 (Jan. 7)
Christian Academy — Lost at Christian Academy of Louisville 79-59 (Jan. 7)
• Last 20 years: Lanesville 24-13. The Eagles beat CAI twice last season. The Warriors had won the previous two.
• Most recent meeting: March 6, 2021 — Lanesville 61, Christian Academy 49 (Class A Borden Sectional championship).
• John Harrell prediction: CAI 64, Lanesville 48.
• Sagarin projection: CAI by 15.
• Outlook: It seems like the Warriors are the better team, but it’s hard to say this early in the season.
• Greg’s pick: CAI 63, Lanesville 53.
SCOTTSBURG AT SALEM
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Brooks Memorial Gymnasium, Salem H.S. (700 N. Harrison St., Salem)
• Records:
Scottsburg 8-4, 5-2 MSC. The Warriors have lost two of their last three but have won five of their last eight.
Salem 4-7, 0-1 MSC. The Lions have won two of their last three.
• Coaches:
Scottsburg — Eric Richardson (14-22 in third season at Scottsburg)
Salem — Duane Malloy (4-7 in first season at Salem)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Scottsburg — No. 90, No. 26 Class 3A
Salem — No. 316, No. 85 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Scottsburg — Lost to North Harrison 56-52, OT (Jan. 8)
Salem — Won at Crawford County 77-69 (Jan. 8)
• Last 20 years: Scottsburg 15-11. The Warriors have won the last two against Salem.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 15, 2021 — At Scottsburg 56, Salem 52.
• News & notes: With their win over Crawford County, the Lions equaled last year’s win total of four with more than five weeks left in the regular season.
• John Harrell prediction: Scottsburg 71, Salem 43.
• Sagarin projection: Scottsburg by 23.
• Outlook: Scottsburg’s been a bit of the forgotten teams when it comes to the MSC elite.
• Greg’s pick: Scottsburg 75, Salem 54.
SPRINGS VALLEY AT WEST WASHINGTON
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Tower Gymnasium, West Washington H.S. (8028 W. Batt Rd., Campbellsburg)
• Records:
Springs Valley 8-3. The Blackhawks have won four in a row and eight of their last nine.
West Washington 3-9. The Senators have lost four of their last five.
• Coaches:
Springs Valley — Jonathon Bowles (18-16 in second season at Springs Valley)
West Washington — Clayton Sullivan (42-45 in fourth season at West Washington)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Springs Valley — No. 199, No. 18 Class A
West Washington — No. 331, No. 60 Class A
• Most recent game:
Springs Valley — Won at Tecumseh 59-55 (Jan. 8)
West Washington — Defeated South Central 52-35 (Jan. 11)
• Last 20 years: West Washington 20-11. Springs Valley has won four of the last five vs. the Senators.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 15, 2021 — At Springs Valley 66, West Washington 57.
• John Harrell prediction: Springs Valley 59, West Washington 48.
• Sagarin projection: Springs Valley by 13.
• Outlook: The Blackhawks aren’t as good as their record and the Senators aren’t as bad as theirs. I’ll take the “upset.”
• Greg’s pick: West Washington 55, Springs Valley 53.
CHARLESTOWN AT PERRY CENTRAL
• Time: 8 p.m.
• Location: Perry Central H.S. (18677 Old State Road 37, Leopold)
• Records:
Charlestown 3-8. The Pirates have lost five straight.
Perry Central 6-6. The Commodores have won three of their last five.
• Coaches:
Charlestown — Matt Lynch (3-8 in first season at Charlestown, 72-58 in sixth season overall)
Perry Central — Jeff Litherland (6-6 in first season at Perry Central, 99-52 in seventh season overall)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Charlestown — No. 307, No. 80 Class 3A
Perry Central — No. 232, No. 82 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
Charlestown — Lost at Madison 67-46 (Jan. 8)
Perry Central — Defeated Wood Memorial 50-38 (Jan. 11)
• Last 20 years: First meeting.
• John Harrell prediction: Charlestown 49, Perry Central 48.
• Sagarin projection: Perry Central by 1.
• Outlook: This is a good chance to get a momentum-changing win. The Pirates are probably the better team here.
• Greg’s pick: Charlestown 59, Perry Central 55.
