By GREG MENGELT
Twenty-two games into the season and Silver Creek may be getting its biggest test in Tuesday’s Hoosier Hills Hoops Game of the Night.
The Dragons’ lone loss came against Bedford North Lawrence. East won at BNL a couple of weeks ago. So, yeah, this is a big test for the 20-1 Dragons right before beginning defense of their state championship at next week’s sectional.
Silver Creek has won eight in a row since loss at Bedford. East won at Jennings County on Thursday to clinch the HHC title for the second year in a row. The 16-3 Olympians have won five straight, are 8-2 at home this season and feature two elite scorers in senior Koryn Greiwe (16.9 points per game) and junior Saige Stahl (16.7). Greiwe is East’s all-time leading scorer.
“As talented a team as we play all year,” Silver Creek head coach Scott Schoen said. “It will be a tough game but fun.”
On top of all the winning, Silver Creek has had and should continue to break records and set individual standards. Emme Rooney set the school record with eight 3-pointers in Saturday’s win over Eastern, Kynidi Mason-Striverson broke the school record for assists with 320 in a Jan. 15 win over Austin and Sydney Sierota is four steals away from the Dragons’ single-season record.
Schoen said he’s looking forward to seeing how his team stacks up against a 4A state championship contender. In this week’s single-class coaches’ poll, Silver Creek is ranked eighth and East 12th.
“Tough road game that will be good for both us and Columbus East,” Schoen said. “Win or lose, it’s a great measuring stick going into the tournament.”
GAME OF THE NIGHT
SILVER CREEK AT COLUMBUS EAST
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: The Orange Pit, East H.S. (230 S. Marr Rd., Columbus)
• Records:
Silver Creek 20-1. The Dragons are on an 8-game winning streak.
East 16-3. The Olympians are on a 5-game winning streak.
• Coaches:
Silver Creek — Scott Schoen (175-109 in 12th season at Creek)
East — Danny Brown (290-154 in 19th season at East, 348-182 in 23rd season overall)
• Rankings:
Silver Creek — No. 8 IBCA (single class); No. 4 ICGSA (Class 3A).
East — No. 12 IBCA (single class); No. 10 ICGSA (Class 4A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Silver Creek — No. 17, No. 3 Class 3A
East — No. 15, No. 13 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
Silver Creek — Defeated Eastern 66-48 (Jan. 22)
East — Won at Jennings County 81-75, OT (Jan. 20)
• Last 20 years: East 5-0.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 6, 2017 — At East 56, Silver Creek 31.
• John Harrell prediction: East 57, Silver Creek 50.
• Sagarin projection: East by 7.
• Outlook: This looks like a true tossup to me. I like the Dragons’ chances on the road.
• Greg’s pick: Silver Creek 62, East 58.
SCOTTSBURG AT JEFFERSONVILLE
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: William S. Johnson Arena, Jeffersonville H.S. (2315 Allison Ln., Jeffersonville)
• Records:
Scottsburg 10-9. The Warriorettes have lost their last two and two of their last three.
Jeffersonville 9-7. The Red Devils have won their last two games.
• Coaches:
Scottsburg — Carrie Daniels (18-24 in second season at Scottsburg, 121-80 in seventh season overall)
Jeffersonville — Missy Voyles (15-19 in second season at Jeff, 285-133 in 18th season overall)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Scottsburg — No. 112, No. 32 Class 3A
Jeffersonville — No. 69, No. 43 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
Scottsburg — Lost at Eastern 56-40 (Jan. 20)
Jeffersonville — Won at New Washington 50-36 (Jan. 22)
• Last 20 years: Jeffersonville 17-3.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 26, 2021 — Jeffersonville 55, at Scottsburg 51.
• News & notes: This is Jeff’s regular-season finale (unless the athletic department reschedules a postponed game). The Warriorettes still have games against Paoli (Thursday) and Lanesville (Friday), both at home.
• John Harrell prediction: Jeffersonville 51, Scottsburg 41.
• Sagarin projection: Jeff by 11.
• Outlook: Hopefully Jeff is shaking off the rust from what had to be a horribly frustrating few weeks off.
• Greg’s pick: Jeffersonville 48, Scottsburg 40.
SALEM AT BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: BNL Fieldhouse (595 Stars Blvd., Bedford)
• Records:
Salem 10-8. The Lions have lost their last two games.
BNL 18-2. The Stars have won two straight and 12 of their last 13.
• Coaches:
Salem — Jerry Hickey (147-73 in ninth season at Salem)
BNL — Jeff Allen (173-36 in eighth season at BNL)
• Rankings:
BNL — No. 5 IBCA (single class); No. 4 ICGSA (Class 4A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Salem — No. 70, No. 17 Class 3A
BNL — No. 10, No. 9 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
Salem — Lost to Charlestown 56-47 (Jan. 20)
BNL — Defeated Jasper 60-31 (Jan. 22)
• Last 20 years: BNL 3-1.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 28, 2020 — At Salem 69, BNL 58.
• John Harrell prediction: BNL 58, Salem 36.
• Sagarin projection: BNL by 26.
• Outlook: Salem has played well in some losses this year. The Lions’ record is no indication of how good they were in 2021-22.
• Greg’s pick: BNL 55, Salem 49.
JENNINGS COUNTY AT FLOYD CENTRAL
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Joe Hinton Court, Floyd Central H.S. (6575 Old Vincennes Rd., Floyds Knobs)
• Records:
Jennings County 16-4, 3-2 HHC. The Panthers have won seven of their last eight.
Floyd Central 7-13, 1-4 HHC. The Highlanders have lost three of their last four.
• Coaches:
Jennings County — Kristi Sigler (77-65 in sixth season at Jennings)
Floyd Central — Randy Gianfagna (27-60 in fourth season at Floyd)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Jennings County — No. 34, No. 26 Class 4A
Floyd Central — No. 134, No. 58 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
Jennings County — Won at Trinity Lutheran 78-41 (Jan. 22)
Floyd Central — Lost at Corydon Central 68-65, OT (Jan. 22)
• Last 20 years: Jennings County 14-13. The Panthers are on a 7-game winning streak in the series.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 5, 2021 — Jennings County 44, Floyd Central 32 (Class 4A New Albany Sectional semifinal)
• John Harrell prediction: Jennings County 54, Floyd Central 38.
• Sagarin projection: Jennings by 15.
• Outlook: This is a Jennings team that has a chance to shock BNL next week.
• Greg’s pick: Jennings County 55, Floyd Central 38.
CHARLESTOWN AT SEYMOUR
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Lloyd E. Scott Gymnasium, Seymour H.S. (1350 W. Second St., Seymour)
• Records:
Charlestown 16-5. The Pirates are on a 6-game winning streak.
Seymour 9-9. The Owls have lost three of their last four.
• Coaches:
Charlestown — Scott Matthews (82-57 in sixth season at Charlestown)
Seymour — Jason Longmeier (121-101 in 10th season at Seymour, 155-151 in 14th season overall)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Charlestown — No. 57, No. 13 Class 3A
Seymour — No. 106, No. 52 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
Charlestown — Defeated Christian Academyn 76-14 (Jan. 22)
Seymour — Lost to Center Grove 51-31 (Jan. 15)
• Last 20 years: Seymour 1-0.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 25, 2021 — Seymour 56, at Charlestown 46.
• News & notes: This is Charlestown’s regular-season finale. Seymour’s finale is Thursday at New Albany.
• John Harrell prediction: Charlestown 52, Seymour 43.
• Sagarin projection: Charlestown by 7.
• Outlook: This isn’t an easy one to close the regular season for Charlestown, but the Pirates have shown all season they’re capable of overcoming most challenges.
• Greg’s pick: Charlestown 55, Seymour 52.
EASTERN AT PAOLI
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Paoli H.S. (501 Elm St., Paoli)
• Records:
Eastern 11-10. The Musketeers have lost four of their last five.
Paoli 14-7. The Rams are on a 6-game winning streak.
• Coaches:
Eastern — Michael McBride (230-125 in 15th season at Eastern)
Paoli — Donavan Crews (24-13 in second season at Paoli)
• Rankings:
Eastern — No. 13 ICGSA (Class 2A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Eastern — No. 101, No. 17 Class 2A
Paoli — No. 147, No. 33 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
Eastern — Lost at Silver Creek 66-48 (Jan. 22)
Paoli — Defeated Springs Valley 51-31 (Jan. 22)
• Last 20 years: Paoli 16-10. Eastern have won seven straight vs. the Rams.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 26, 2021 — At Eastern 53, Paoli 39.
• John Harrell prediction: Eastern 44, Paoli 41.
• Sagarin projection: Eastern by 3.
• Outlook: The Rams are on a winning streak, Eastern’s on a losing streak, the game is in Paoli. Still taking the Musketeers.
• Greg’s pick: Eastern 48, Paoli 38.
WEST WASHINGTON AT BORDEN
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Borden Junior-Senior H.S. (301 West St., Borden)
• Records:
West Washington 12-7. The Senators have lost their last three games.
Borden 12-8. The Braves have won their last two games.
• Coaches:
West Washington — Matthew Myers (20-21 in second season at West Washington)
Borden — Matt Vick (46-64 in fifth season at Borden)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
West Washington — No. 274, No. 41 Class A
Borden — No. 311, No. 57 Class A
• Most recent game:
West Washington — Lost at Brownstown 50-30 (Jan. 22)
Borden — Defeated Henryville 30-16 (Jan. 20)
• Last 20 years: Borden 15-7. West Washington has won six in a row in the series.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 26, 2021 — At West Washington 35, Borden 33 (2OT)
• John Harrell prediction: West Washington 41, Borden 36.
• Sagarin projection: West Washington by 3.
• Outlook: Borden has been good in close games this year … and this should be a really good one.
• Greg’s pick: Borden 40, West Washington 39.
HENRYVILLE AT CLARKSVILLE
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Clarksville H.S. Main Gymnasium (800 Dr. Dot Lewis Drive, Clarksville)
• Records:
Henryville 8-11. The Hornets have lost their last two games.
Clarksville 3-17. The Generals have lost five straight.
• Coaches:
Henryville — Tuesday Guernsey (23-38 in third season at Henryville)
Clarksville — Amanda Carmichael (11-33 in second season at Clarksville, 71-127 in ninth season overall)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Henryville — No. 327, No. 82 Class 2A
Clarksville — No. 371, No. 96 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
Henryville — Lost at Providence 34-27 (Jan. 21)
Clarksville — Lost at Shawe 44-34 (Jan. 22)
• Last 20 years: Henryville 20-9. The Hornets are on an 11-game winning streak in the series.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 26, 2021 — At Henryville 46, Clarksville 37.
• John Harrell prediction: Henryville 42, Clarksville 28.
• Sagarin projection: Henryville by 12.
• Outlook: Henryville is closing the regular season strong.
• Greg’s pick: Henryville 37, Clarksville 26.
PROVIDENCE AT CRAWFORD COUNTY
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Ron Ferguson Gymnasium, Crawford County H.S. (1130 South State Road 66, Marengo)
• Records:
Providence 6-12. The Pioneers have won three of their last four.
Crawford County 9-11. The Wolfpack have won five of their last six.
• Coaches:
Providence — Brad Burden (165-160 in 14th season at Providence)
Crawford County — Christopher Broughton (120-93 in ninth season at Crawford)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Providence — No. 307, No. 78 Class 2A
Crawford County — No. 210, No. 52 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
Providence — Defeated Henryville 34-27 (Jan. 21)
Crawford County — Defeated Orleans 51-32 (Jan. 20)
• Last 20 years: Crawford County 8-6. The Wolfpack have won six of their last seven in the series.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 26, 2021 — At Providence 25, Crawford County 24.
• John Harrell prediction: Crawford County 49, Providence 31.
• Sagarin projection: Crawford by 19.
• Outlook: The Wolfpack suddenly look like a sectional contender after starting the season 0-7.
• Greg’s pick: Crawford County 39, Providence 27.
NEW WASHINGTON AT CROTHERSVILLE
• Time: 6:30 p.m.
• Location: Crothersville H.S. (109 S. Preston St., Crothersville)
• Records:
New Washington 11-9, 1-2 SAC. The Mustangs have won six of their last seven.
Crothersville 3-11, 0-4 SAC. The Tigers have lost five of their last six games.
• Coaches:
New Washington — Kirsti Holloway (66-92 in seventh season at New Wash)
Crothersville — Kevin Hensley (116-171 in 13th season at Crothersville)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
New Washington — No. 209, No. 24 Class A
Crothersville — No. 378, No. 84 Class A
• Most recent game:
New Washington — Lost to Jeffersonville 50-36 (Jan. 22)
Crothersville — Lost to Shawe 48-4 (Jan. 25)
• Last 20 years: New Wash 17-3. The Mustangs have won three in a row vs. Crothersvile.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 18, 2021 — At New Washington 71, Crothersville 64.
• News & notes: New Wash closes its regular season Saturday at home against SAC-rival South Central (1-12, 1-3). This is the Tigers’ regular-season finale.
• John Harrell prediction: New Washington 65, Crothersville 24.
• Sagarin projection: New Wash by 35.
• Outlook: Easy win for the Mustangs, who’re really playing well late in the season.
• Greg’s pick: New Washington 62, Crothersville 32.
ORLEANS AT AUSTIN
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Austin H.S. (401 South Highway 31, Austin)
• Records:
Orleans 4-16. The Bulldogs have lost five of their last six games.
Austin 5-10. The Eagles have lost their of their last three games.
• Coaches:
Orleans — Jared Gilbert (61-73 in sixth season at Orleans)
Austin — Jared Petersen (237-174 in 17th season at Austin)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Orleans — No. 322, No. 63 Class A
Austin — No. 178, No. 39 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
Orleans — Lost at Crawford County 51-32 (Jan. 20)
Austin — Lost to Silver Creek 60-24 (Jan. 15)
• Last 20 years: Orleans 2-0.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 23, 2021 — At Orleans 51, Austin 45.
• John Harrell prediction: Austin 53, Orleans 30.
• Sagarin projection: Austin by 28.
• Outlook: The Eagles are closing the regular season strong and should handle the Bulldogs.
• Greg’s pick: Austin 57, Orleans 36.
