By GREG MENGELT
The Pioneers are 8-3, having won four of their last five and their only losses have come against strong competition. After early wins over Tell City, Austin, Borden and Lanesville, the Pioneers earned a big 64-59 win over Evansville Memorial before finishing runner-up at the Silver Creek Holiday Tournament.
Then last week, Providence beat Southwestern and Clarksville — arguably the two team challenges to the Pioneers in the sectional in March — last week.
But the Pioneers only played one 4A team and that was a 55-43 loss at Floyd Central. Providence will also play New Albany (5-5) on Feb. 11. Games against the local big programs will help make his team better, Miller said.
“We get a great opportunity to improve through facing top-tier competition,” Miller said. “Most area coaches would’ve said coming into the season that Jeff may be the most talented and athletic team in the area. I would certainly agree with that.”
Jeffersonville enters Saturday’s contest at Johnson Arena at just 2-6. The defending sectional champion Red Devils were expected to be the area’s top team, if not one of the state’s best. But Jeff has dealt with injuries, Covid postponements and cancelations, an ill coach and snow days keeping them from practice after all the sick and injured returned.
“Their record is deceptive thus far,” Miller said. “They have one of the toughest schedules around and have been playing shorthanded, mossing top players for the early part of the season. Now they have everyone back this weekend for the first time, I believe. Jeffersonville can become a top-level team in the state with their tremendous talent and their coaching staff now able to start putting all their pieces together. They are going to be a very dangerous team moving forward and for the remainder of the season. We have several strong opponents on our schedule, but we know playing at Jeffersonville with their full varsity roster now intact, will undoubtedly be one of the most challenging games of the season.”
Andrew Grantz coached at Providence from 2015-2017, leading the Pioneers to the program’s third-ever regional championship in 2016. He likes what Miller has done to continue Providence’s recent winning tradition that was started by Lou Lefevre, who’s now at North Harrison.
“Coach Miller does a great job. He’s got a great culture going there,” Grantz said of his successor. “They’re unselfish and they play with a lot of pride. Having coached at Providence and coached against Providence, those games are difficult. Providence is going to try to play their style of basketball and control the game as much as possible.”
Grantz’s return to where he played and coached is an interesting side note. Grantz’s focus right now is getting his Devils back on track to a winning season. They were beaten 58-34 at Floyd Central on Saturday. Miller says the Pioneers are expecting the Red Devils everyone expected to be a postseason contender before the season.
“We know that they are both good teams who will continue to improve with some key new additions joining each of their programs in the middle of the season, so we must be motivated to improve ourselves each and every week,” Miller said.
Miller wanted to add that the entire Providence family was excited to hear that Coach Grantz and his wife, Jenna, welcomed their second child — a son, Garrison Grantz — last weekend.
GAME OF THE NIGHT
PROVIDENCE AT JEFFERSONVILLE
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: William S. Johnson Arena, Jeffersonville H.S. (2315 Allison Ln., Jeffersonville)
• Records:
Providence 8-3. The Pioneers have won their last two and four of their last five.
Jeffersonville 2-6. The Red Devils have lost six of their last seven.
• Coaches:
Providence — Ryan Miller (38-19 in third season at Providence)
Jeffersonville — Andrew Grantz (17-13 in second season at Jeffersonville, 105-55 in seventh season overall)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Providence — No. 136, No. 19 Class 2A
Jeffersonville — No. 147, No. 74 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
Providence — Won at Clarksville 48-38 (Jan. 7)
Jeffersonville — Lost at Floyd Central 58-34 (Jan. 14)
• Last 20 years: Jeffersonville 15-5. The Red Devils have won four of their last five vs. Providence.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 16, 2021 — At Providence 53, Jeffersonville 51.
• John Harrell prediction: Jeffersonville 56, Providence 53.
• Sagarin projection: Jeffersonville by 3.
• Outlook: Providence has been playing basketball non-stop for well over a month. Jeff just restarted yesterday. The Pioneers have a huge advantage here.
• Greg’s pick: Providence 66, Jeffersonville 59.
FLOYD CENTRAL AT NORTH HARRISON
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: North Harrison H.S. (1070 Hwy. 64 N.W., Ramsey)
• Records:
Floyd Central 8-2. The Highlanders have won three consecutive games.
North Harrison 8-2. The Cougars have won four in a row.
• Coaches:
Floyd Central — Todd Sturgeon (130-42 in eighth season at Floyd)
North Harrison — Lou Lefevre (44-12 in third season at North Harrison, 309-92 in 18th season overall)
• Rankings:
Floyd Central — No. 20 IBCA (single class).
North Harrison — No. 12 AP (Class 3A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Floyd Central — No. 24, No. 20 Class 4A
North Harrison — No. 50, No. 9 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Floyd Central — Defeated Jeffersonville 58-34 (Jan. 14)
North Harrison — Defeated Eastern 60-52 (Jan. 14)
• Last 20 years: Floyd Central 14-6. The Highhlanders have beaten North Harrison seven straight times.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 16, 2021 — At Floyd Central 52, North Harrison 47.
• John Harrell prediction: Floyd Central 55, North Harrison 50.
• Sagarin projection: Floyd by 1.
• Outlook: This is a battle for No. 1 in Monday’s Hoosier Hills Hoops power poll. The Highlanders seem like the best team around.
• Greg’s pick: Floyd Central 51, North Harrison 44.
SCOTTSBURG AT NEW ALBANY
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: The Doghouse, New Albany H.S. (1020 Vincennes Street, New Albany)
• Records:
Scottsburg 8-4. The Warriors have lost three of their last five.
New Albany 5-5. The Bulldogs have won three of their last four.
• Coaches:
Scottsburg — Eric Richardson (14-22 in second season at Scottsburg)
New Albany — Jim Shannon (434-132 season at New Albany, 599-271 in 38th season overall)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Scottsburg — No. 90, No. 26 Class 3A
New Albany — No. 104, No. 58 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
Scottsburg — Lost to North Harrison 56-52, OT (Jan. 8)
New Albany — Won at Southwestern 59-48 (Jan. 11)
• Last 20 years: New Albany 19-1. The Bulldogs have won 16 in a row in the series.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 16, 2021 — New Albany 45, at Scottsburg 39.
• News & notes: With a win, Jim Shannon will become the sixth active head coach in Indiana with 600 career victories.
• John Harrell prediction: New Albany 53, Scottsburg 52.
• Sagarin projection: New Albany by 2.
• Outlook: The Bulldogs are going to win this game fairly comfortably.
• Greg’s pick: New Albany 64, Scottsburg 52.
BORDEN AT CHARLESTOWN
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Charlestown Sports Arena (1 Pirate Place, Charlestown)
• Records:
Borden 9-4. The Braves have won five of their last six.
Charlestown 3-9. The Pirates have lost six straight.
• Coaches:
Borden — Doc Nash (213-153 in 16th season at Borden)
Charlestown — Matt Lynch (3-9 in first season at Charlestown, 72-59 in sixth season overall)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Borden — No. 226, No. 26 Class A
Charlestown — No. 307, No. 80 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Borden — Defeated Austin 59-42 (Jan. 14)
Charlestown — Lost at Perry Central 48-47 (Jan. 14)
• Last 20 years: Charlestown 6-1. The Pirates have won 3 consecutive games in the series.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 16, 2021 — Charlestown 59, at Borden 56.
• John Harrell prediction: Borden 57, Charlestown 47.
• Sagarin projection: Borden by 6.
• Outlook: I could see this one coming down to a few possessions. Should be a really good game.
• Greg’s pick: Borden 55, Charlestown 51.
CLARKSVILLE AT AUSTIN
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Rigel Gymnasium (401 S. Hwy. 31, Austin)
• Records:
Clarksville 4-7. The Generals have won lost two of their last three.
Austin 2-8. The Eagles have lost three in a row.
• Coaches:
Clarksville — Kyle Hankins (4-7 in first season at Clarksville)
Austin — Randy Edwards (37-70 in fifth season at Austin)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Clarksville — No. 269, No. 61 Class 2A
Austin — No. 266, No. 59 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
Clarksville — Lost at Corydon Central 86-48 (Jan. 14)
Austin — Lost at Borden 59-42 (Jan. 14)
• Last 20 years: Clarksville 15-7. The Generals have beaten Austin the last two years.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 16 — At Clarksville 81, Austin 71.
• John Harrell prediction: Austin 60, Clarksville 57.
• Sagarin projection: Austin by 4.
• Outlook: If you’re looking for a 50/50 game, this might be Saturday’s best.
• Greg’s pick: Clarksville 57, Austin 56.
PAOLI AT EASTERN
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Eastern H.S. (1100 N. Eastern School Rd., Pekin)
• Records:
Paoli 6-3. The Rams have lost three of their last five after a 4-0 start.
Eastern 11-2. The Musketeers have won 10 of their last 11.
• Coaches:
Paoli — Dusty Cole (149-71 in 10th season at Paoli)
Eastern — Chandler Prible (23-15 in second season at Eastern)
• Rankings:
Eastern — No. 12 AP (Class 2A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Paoli — No. 216, No. 44 Class 2A
Eastern — No. 107, No. 13 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
Paoli — Won at Tell City 61-52 (Jan. 8)
Eastern — Lost at North Harrison 60-52 (Jan. 14)
• Last 20 years: Paoli 15-10. The Rams have won eight straight over Eastern.
• Most recent meeting: March 6, 2021 — At Paoli 32, Eastern 31 (Class 2A Paoli Sectional championship)
• John Harrell prediction: Eastern 60, Paoli 48.
• Sagarin projection: Eastern by 16.
• Outlook: Paoli has beaten Eastern eight straight times, including ending the Musketeers’ last two seasons. Time for revenge.
• Greg’s pick: Eastern 77, Paoli 62.
CORYDON CENTRAL AT CRAWFORD COUNTY
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Ron Ferguson Gymnasium, Crawford County H.S. (1130 South State Road 66, Marengo)
• Records:
Corydon Central 7-6. The Panthers have won five of their last six.
Crawford County 1-11. The Wolfpack have lost four in a row.
• Coaches:
Corydon Central — Joseph Hinton (28-32 in third season at Corydon Central)
Crawford County — Jerry Hanger Jr. (4-28 in second season at Crawford County)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Corydon Central — No. 166, No. 45 Class 3A
Crawford County — No. 339, No. 85 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
Corydon Central — Defeated Clarksville 86-48 (Jan. 14)
Crawford County — Lost at Orleans 45-31 (Jan. 14)
• Last 20 years: Corydon Central 16-13. The Panthers have beaten Crawford County the last two years.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 16, 2021 — At Corydon Central 61, Crawford County 47.
• John Harrell prediction: Corydon Central 65, Crawford County 46.
• Sagarin projection: Corydon Central by 19.
• Outlook: Corydon is playing well and January’s schedule presents many more opportunities to add to its win total.
• Greg’s pick: Corydon Central 70, Crawford County 48.
ORLEANS AT LANESVILLE
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Lanesville H.S. (2725 Crestview Ave. NE, Lanesville)
• Records:
Orleans 10-2. The Bulldogs have won three consecutive games.
Lanesville 3-10. The Eagles have won two of their last three.
• Coaches:
Orleans — Tom Bradley (350-193 season at Orleans)
Lanesville — Mikel Miller (290-219 in 22nd season at Lanesville)
• Rankings:
Orleans — No. 11 AP (Class A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Orleans — No. 149, No. 13 Class A
Lanesville — No. 334, No. 63 Class A
• Most recent game:
Orleans — Defeated Crawford County 45-31 (Jan. 14)
Lanesville — Won at Christian Academy 59-55 (Jan. 14)
• Last 20 years: Orleans 14-7.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 16, 2021 — At Orleans 41, Lanesville 34.
• John Harrell prediction: Orleans 59, Lanesville 41.
• Sagarin projection: Orleans by 19.
• Outlook: The Eagles should be able to keep this close … at least for a while.
• Greg’s pick: Orleans 57, Lanesville 49.
