By GREG MENGELT

Salem has more losses in 2021-22 than its accustomed to. Prior to this season, the Lions had lost just 12 regular-season games in the past four years combined.

This year, Salem has seven losses. Unfortunately for the rest of Southern Indiana, they’re starting to find their stride.

Last week, Salem (10-7) beat Scottsburg 71-59 on Tuesday and Jeffersonville 38-37 on Thursday to earn the Hoosier Hills Hoops Team of the Week honor.

“We had a good week with two hard fought victories against Scottsburg and Jeffersonville,” Salem coach Jerry Hickey said. “We are missing senior guard Macie Tomlinson, who is out with an injury, so we have had numerous players step up in her absence.

Natalie Noel — the Hoosier Hills Hoops Player of the Week — scored 37 points in the win over Scottsburg, while Abigail Ratts had 20 points, eight rebounds, four assists and four steals.

Already without Tomlinson, the Lions overcame a mid-game injury to Kaylea Klingsmith in the victory over Jeff.

Noel finished with 16 points, Ratts had eight and Kendall Hickey contributed six in the win. Sidney Brown controlled the tempo of the game and had zero turnovers and senior Natalie Dean made a key basket and key free throws down the stretch.

“It was a total team effort,” Hickey said.

The Lions host Charlestown (14-5) on Thursday in their penultimate conference game.