By GREG MENGELT
Over the years, the Jeffersonville-New Albany game has determined the Hoosier Hills Conference championship many times. The Bulldogs and Red Devils have then gone on to meet each other in big postseason games a couple weeks later.
This doesn’t appear to be one of those years. New Albany is 5-15 and has lost seven in a row. Jeff has lost four straight and has struggled just to have enough players to field a team. The Devils have only played one in the new year.
“We have grown tremendously as a team this season. However, with quarantines eliminating all game but one since Dec. 14, it’s been hard to test ourselves in game situations,” Jeffersonville coach Missy Voyles said.
Of course, records, losing streak and missed games in the past don’t matter when it comes to rivalry games. No what the situation, Jeff wants to beat New Albany and New Albany wants to beat Jeff just as badly in the Hoosier Hills Hoops Game of the Night.
“Of course, this is a big rivalry for us, so the team is really looking forward to it,” Voyles said. “New Albany has two great veteran guards in (Taylor) Treat and (Maleea) Roland. It should be a fun game to watch.”
Voyles says she’s been looking for leadership from her team this season. She’s hoping she’s found it in junior Cadence Singleton, who had 11 points and 15 rebounds in the loss to Salem.
“Salem was a big step forward for Cadence,” Voyles said. “It’s the first time I’ve really seen her want to lead. That could be huge going into a game at New Albany.”
GAME OF THE NIGHT
JEFFERSONVILLE AT NEW ALBANY
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Doghouse, New Albany H.S. (1020 Vincennes Street, New Albany)
• Records:
New Albany 5-15, 0-4 HHC. The Bulldogs have lost seven in a row.
Jeffersonville 7-7, 1-3 HHC. The Red Devils have lost four in a row.
• Coaches:
New Albany — Shelby Gliebe (11-31 in second season at New Albany, 15-50 in third season overall)
Jeffersonville — Missy Voyles (13-19 in second season at Jeff, 283-133 in 18th season overall)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
New Albany — No. 155, No. 63 Class 4A
Jeffersonville — No. 70, No. 43 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
New Albany — Lost at Charlestown 46-34 (Jan. 18)
Jeffersonville — Lost to Salem 38-37 (Jan. 15)
• Last 20 years: Jeffersonville 20-7. The Red Devils have won five of the last six in the rivalry.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 22, 2021 — At Jeffersonville 54, New Albany 40.
• John Harrell prediction: Jeffersonville 52, New Albany 42.
• Sagarin projection: Jeffersonville by 18.
• Outlook: It appears Jeff has the better team, but it’s been a crazy season. So at this point, who knows what’s going to happen?
• Greg’s pick: Jeffersonville 57, New Albany 47.
