By GREG MENGELT
Jeffersonville has had all kinds of legitimate excuses for its 2-7 start.
Players and coaches out, time off after a Covid outbreak, snow days. This team hasn’t had any time to gel. That showed over the weekend when the Red Devils were blown out against Floyd Central (9-2) then lost at home to Providence (9-3).
Devils coach Andrew Grantz said the time for excuses is over. Now it’s time for his veterans to take ownership of the season.
“I wasn’t very pleased with the second-half effort either game,” Grantz said. “Right now there’s a void in leadership. We’ll continue to work on filling that void. Once our seniors (provide leadership), this team can still do a lot of damage come postseason. We just have to have leadership from our upper classmen.”
Jeff, which has lost seven of its last eight after opening the season with a win over Evansville North, goes to North Oldham (10-7) for the Hoosier Hills Hoops Game of the Night.
North Oldham is led by junior guard Dallas Roberts and his 17.5 points per game. He’s one of three Mustangs who averages double-digit points.
“They will be one of the most physical teams play this year,” Grantz said. “There have a lot of guys can make shots. (Roberts) can really get hot. It’s going to be a dogfight at their place.”
GAME OF THE NIGHT
JEFFERSONVILLE AT NORTH OLDHAM (KY.)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: North Oldham H.S. (1815 South Kentucky 1793, Goshen, Ky.)
• Records:
Jeffersonville 2-7. Jeff has lost seven of its last nine.
North Oldham 10-7. The Mustangs have lost their last two games and four of their last six.
• Coaches:
Jeffersonville — Andrew Grantz (17-14 in second season at Jeff, 105-56 in seventh season overall)
North Oldham — David Levitch (Coaching record unavailable)
• Most recent game:
Jeffersonville — Lost to Providence 48-45 (Jan. 15)
North Oldham — Lost to Meade County (Ky.) 55-37 (Jan. 13)
• Last 20 years: Jeffersonville 1-0.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 19, 2021 — At Jeffersonville 78, North Oldham 57.
• Outlook: If Jeff loses this one, there’s some serious cause for concern.
• Greg’s pick: Jeffersonville 70, North Oldham 64.
CRAWFORD COUNTY AT PROVIDENCE
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Larkin Center, Our Lady of Providence (707 Providence Way, Clarksville)
• Records:
Crawford County 1-12. The Wolfpack have lost five in a row.
Providence 9-3. The Pioneers have won their last three games.
• Coaches:
Crawford County — Jerry Hanger Jr. (4-29 in second season at Crawford)
Providence — Ryan Miller (39-19 in third season at Providence)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Crawford County — No. 335, No. 84 Class 2A
Providence — No. 140, No. 20 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
Crawford County — Lost to Corydon Central 65-52 (Jan. 15)
Providence — Won at Jeffersonville 48-45 (Jan. 15)
• Last 20 years: Providence 9-4. The Pioneers have won five of the last seven in the series.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 21, 2020 — At Providence 51, Crawford County 37.
• John Harrell prediction: Providence 64, Crawford County 40.
• Sagarin projection: Providence by 29.
• Outlook: Crawford is quite clearly not as bad as its record, but this should still a fairly easy win for the Pioneers.
• Greg’s pick: Providence 66, Crawford County 46.
WEST WASHINGTON AT MEDORA
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Medora H.S. (82 South George Street, Medora)
• Records:
West Washington 3-9. The Sentators have lost three of their last four.
Medora 3-9. The Hornets have lost four of their last five.
• Coaches:
West Washington — Clayton Sullivan (42-45 in fourth season at West Washington)
Medora — Mark Morin (22-128 in seventh season at Medora)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
West Washington — No. 308, No. 52 Class A
Medora — No. 396, No. 96 Class A
• Most recent game:
West Washington — Defeated South. Central 52-35 (Jan. 11)
Medora — Lost to Bloomington Lighthouse 62-42 (Jan. 15, Southern Roads Conference Tournament, fifth-place game)
• Last 20 years: West Washington 24-0.
• Most recent meeting: March 5, 2021 — West Washington 75, Medora 23 (Class A West Washington Sectional semifinal)
• John Harrell prediction: West Washington 69, Medora 30.
• Sagarin projection: West Washington by 24.
• Outlook: The Senators have had a couple of opportunities slip away from them of late, but this won’t be one of those games.
• Greg’s pick: West Washington 73, Medora 33.
