By GREG MENGELT

About a decade ago, Todd Sturgeon came along and turned Floyd Central into one of Southern Indiana’s elite program.

Now it looks like Kirk Manns is trying to do the same thing in Seymour.

The Highlanders and Owls meet in Friday’s Hoosier Hills Game of the Week with a conference championship on the line. If you’ve been around Southern Indiana basketball long, hearing “Seymour” and “championship” in the same sentence sounds strange to the ear. The Owls haven’t been in the hunt for an HHC championship since Eric Werskey manned the middle for Seymour in early years of the 21st century.

At 9-4, Sturgeon says Seymour (9-4) is a legitimate threat under Manns, a former Michigan State star.

“They’ve beaten Columbus North, Jeff and Jennings County early in the season,” he said. “At first, we saw their results (and wondered if the Owls were legit), but they’re obviously a good team. They defending with passion. They play as hard as anybody we play. They remind me of those really good Providence teams. They compete like well. They’ve gotten better every year (under Manns). He’s done a really good job.”

Floyd enters the game 10-2 and ranked 15th in the state. The Highlanders are 3-0 in the HHC with Seymour at 4-1. New Albany is the only other serious contender. The Bulldogs, who handed Seymour its only conference loss so far, are 1-1 in conference play with their only loss coming against Floyd (57-26 on Dec. 10).

The 10-2 Highlanders, who’ve won three HHC titles in the last four years, are riding a 3-game winning streak and have won five of their last six coming into Friday’s showdown at the famed Lloyd E. Scott Gymnasium.

“I think we’re improving and getting ourselves closer to where want to be,” Sturgeon said. “We have a chance to start being good offensively and we’ve had flashes where we’ve looking like maybe we can be an outstanding defensive team. We’ll need to play better as the season goes along. Hopefully we can go up to Seymour and answer the call.”

GAME OF THE NIGHT
FLOYD CENTRAL AT SEYMOUR
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Lloyd E. Scott Gymnasium, Seymour H.S. (1350 W. Second St., Seymour)
• Records:
Floyd Central 10-2, 3-0 HHC. The Highlanders have won three in a row.
Seymour 9-4, 4-1 HHC. The Owls have won three straight.
• Coaches:
Floyd Central — Todd Sturgeon (132-42 in eighth season at Floyd)
Seymour — Kirk Manns (27-31 in third season at Seymour)
• Rankings:
Floyd Central — No. 15 IBCA (single class).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Floyd Central — No. 10, No. 10 Class 4A
Seymour — No. 48, No. 35 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
Floyd Central — Defeated Jennings County 67-58, OT (Jan. 21)
Seymour — Defeated Scottsburg 49-29 (Jan. 22)
• Last 20 years: Floyd Central 12-11. The Highlanders have an 11-game winning streak over Seymour.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 29, 2021 — At Floyd Central 65, Seymour 44.
• John Harrell prediction: Floyd Central 54, Seymour 47.
• Sagarin projection: Floyd by 5.
• Outlook: If the Highlanders win this game, it seems like clear sailing to their fourth HHC title in the last five years.
• Greg’s pick: Floyd Central 49, Seymour 42.

BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE AT JEFFERSONVILLE
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: William S. Johnson Arena, Jeffersonville H.S. (2315 Allison Ln., Jeffersonville)
• Records:
BNL 6-6, 1-2 HHC. The Stars have won four of their last six games.
Jeffersonville 3-8, 1-2 HHC. The Red Devils have lost three of their last four games.
• Coaches:
BNL — Jeff Hein (35-27 in third season at BNL, 330-233 season overall)
Jeffersonville — Andrew Grantz (18-15 in second season at Jeff, 106-57 in seventh season overall)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
BNL — No. 108, No. 63 Class 4A
Jeffersonville — No. 126, No. 70 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
BNL — Defeated Edgewood 56-45 (Jan. 22)
Jeffersonville — Defeated Columbus East 55-32 (Jan. 22)
• Last 20 years: Jeff 15-14. The Red Devils beat BNL twice last season.
• Most recent meeting: March 6, 2021 — Jeffersonville 57, BNL 53 (Class 4A Seymour Sectional championship).
• John Harrell prediction: Jeffersonville 52, BNL 50.
• Sagarin projection: Jeff by 2.
• Outlook: The schedule has allowed Jeffersonville an opportunity to build back slowly after its Covid outbreak. That should mean a big win Friday.
• Greg’s pick: Jeffersonville 64, BNL 50.

NEW ALBANY AT EVANSVILLE NORTH
• Time: 8 p.m.
• Location: Husky Arena, North H.S. (15331 Hwy. 41 North, Evansville)
• Records:
New Albany 7-5. The Bulldogs are currently on a 3-game winning streak and have won five of their last six.
North 7-7. The Huskies have won three of their last four games.
• Coaches:
New Albany — Jim Shannon (436-132 in 24th season at New Albany, 601-271 in 38th season overall)
North — Jason Roach (50-59 in fifth season at North, 97-88 in eighth season overall)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
New Albany — No. 50, No. 36 Class 4A
North — No. 114, No. 66 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
New Albany — Defeated Reitz 80-79, OT (Jan. 22)
North — Lost to Bloomington North 54-44 (Jan. 21)
• Last 20 years: New Albany 16-4. The Bulldogs have won eight of their last nine vs. North.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 29, 2021 — New Albany 57, at Evansville North 52.
• John Harrell prediction: New Albany 56, North 53.
• Sagarin projection: New Albany by 4.
• Outlook: New Albany appears to be completely healthy for the first time. Now we should find out just how good the 2021-22 Bulldogs are.
• Greg’s pick: New Albany 67, North 57.

MADISON AT SILVER CREEK
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Silver Creek H.S. (557 Renz Ave., Sellersburg)
• Records:
Madison 5-7. The Cubs have won three of their last four.
Silver Creek 6-7. The Dragons have lost their last two games.
• Coaches:
Madison — Adam Stotts (5-7 in first season at Madison)
Silver Creek — Brandon Hoffman (207-80 in 12th season at Silver Creek)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Madison — No. 181, No. 50 Class 3A
Silver Creek — No. 133, No. 38 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Madison — Defeated Charlestown 67-46 (Jan. 8)
Silver Creek — Lost to Brownstown Central 83-71 (Jan. 14)
• Last 20 years: Silver Creek 19-6. The Dragons have beaten Madison 16 straight times.
• Most recent meeting: March 6, 2021 — Silver Creek 83, Madison 71 (Class 3A Charlestown Sectional championship)
• News & notes: Madison hasn’t played a game in three weeks, while the Dragons had their only game of last week (against New Albany) postponed, so they haven’t played in two weeks.
• News & notes: The Madison Courier has reported that Cubs star Kaden Oliver has moved from Madison to Silver Creek and is immediately eligible to play for the Dragons. It was not known at deadline if Oliver will play for Silver Creek against his old team Friday, but it seems doubtful at this point.
• John Harrell prediction: Silver Creek 68, Madison 57.
• Sagarin projection: Silver Creek by 10.
• Outlook: These are sectional rivals who have had a competitive rivalry over the years. So it’s normally a pretty big game. But this year, the storyline is one team’s best player moved over to the other team in the middle of the week they play each other. Whether he plays or not, that’s the storyline of this game.
• Greg’s pick: Silver Creek 72, Madison 48.

PROVIDENCE AT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Christian Academy of Indiana (1000 Academy Dr., New Albany)
• Records:
Providence 11-4. The Pioneers have won five of their last six games.
CAI 6-8. The Warriors have dropped three straight decisions.
• Coaches:
Providence — Ryan Miller (41-20 in third season at Providence)
CAI — Hadyen Casey (15-25 in second season at CAI)
• Rankings:
Providence — No. 16 AP (Class 2A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Providence — No. 141, No. 19 Class 2A
CAI — No. 269, No. 40 Class A
• Most recent game:
Providence — Lost to Rock Creek 71-64 (Jan. 22)
CAI — Lost to Paoli 66-56 (Jan. 22)
• Last 20 years: Providence 14-6. CAI has won four of the last five vs. the Pioneers.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 29, 2021 — At Providence 64, CAI 61 (OT).
• John Harrell prediction: Providence 61, CAI 48.
• Sagarin projection: Providence by 12.
• Outlook: This will be a pretty good road test for the Pioneers following last Saturday’s disappointing loss. Expect them to bounce back.
• Greg’s pick: Providence 60, Christian Academy 44.

AUSTIN AT SALEM
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Brooks Memorial Gymnasium, Salem H.S. (700 N. Harrison St., Salem)
• Records:
Austin 3-9, 0-4 MSC. The Eagles have lost four of their last five.
Salem 4-9, 0-3 MSC. The Lions have lost their last two games.
• Coaches:
Austin — Randy Edwards (38-71 in fifth season at Austin)
Salem — Duane Malloy (4-9 in first season at Salem)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Austin — No. 267, No. 60 Class 2A
Salem — No. 329, No. 87 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Austin — Lost at Brownstown Central 76-41 (Jan . 25)
Salem — Lost to North Harrison 77-31 (Jan. 22)
• Last 20 years: Salem 13-7. The Lions are on a 7-game winning streak in the series.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 29, 2021 — Salem 70, at Austin 68.
• John Harrell prediction: Austin 64, Salem 56.
• Sagarin projection: Austin by 5.
• Outlook: Both teams are winless in the MSC but neither team is a pushover. Austin may be a little better, even in the Lions’ gym.
• Greg’s pick: Austin 60, Salem 52.

BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL AT CHARLESTOWN
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Charlestown Sports Arena (1 Pirate Place, Charlestown)
• Records:
Brownstown 12-2, 5-0 MSC. The Braves are on a 4-game winning streak.
Charlestown 4-11, 0-4 MSC. The Pirates have lost eight of their last nine.
• Coaches:
Brownstown — Dave Benter (415-155 in 24th season at Brownstown)
Charlestown — Matt Lynch (4-11 in first season at Charlestown, 73-61 season overall)
• Rankings:
Brownstown — No. 8 AP (Class 3A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Brownstown — No. 49, No. 10 Class 3A
Charlestown — No. 295, No. 83 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Brownstown — Defeated Austin 76-41 (Jan. 25)
Charlestown — Lost at Corydon 58-33 (Jan. 22)
• Last 20 years: Brownstown 22-2. The Braves have won 13 straight over Charlestown.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 27, 2021 — At Brownstown 68, Charlestown 55.
• John Harrell prediction: Brownstown 67, Charlestown 42.
• Sagarin projection: Brownstown by 26.
• Outlook: The Braves stay unbeaten heading into Saturday’s showdown with Corydon.
• Greg’s pick: Brownstown 67, Charlestown 48.

WEST WASHINGTON AT NORTH HARRISON
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: North Harrison H.S. (1070 Hwy. 64 N.W., Ramsey)
• Records:
West Washington 4-10. The Senators have won two of their last three games.
North Harrison 10-3. The Cougars have won six of their last seven.
• Coaches:
West Washington — Clayton Sullivan (43-46 in fourth season at West Washington)
North Harrison — Lou Lefevre (46-13 in third season at North Harrison, 311-98 in eighth season overall)
• Rankings:
North Harrison — No. 15 AP (Class 3A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
West Washington — No. 317, No. 58 Class A
North Harrison — No. 45, No. 9 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
West Washington — Lost to Springs Valley 63-51 (Jan. 25)
North Harrison — Won at Salem 77-31 (Jan. 22)
• Last 20 years: North Harrison 14-6. The Cougars have won four in a row over West Washington.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 29, 2021 — North Harrison 55, at West Washington 40.
• John Harrell prediction: North Harrison 69, West Washington 34.
• Sagarin projection: North Harrison by 36.
• Outlook: This should be a pretty one-sided win for the Cougars.
• Greg’s pick: North Harrison 67, West Washington 42.

SOUTH CENTRAL AT HENRYVILLE
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Furnish Gym, Henryville H.S. (213 N. Ferguson St., Henryville)
• Records:
South Central 4-9, 1-1 SAC. The Rebels have lost two of their last three.
Henryville 4-9, 1-1 SAC. The Hornets have lost three of their last four.
• Coaches:
South Central — Greg Robinson (177-177 in 16th season at South Central, 199-240 season overall)
Henryville — Jared Hill (95-85 in eighth season at Henryville)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
South Central — No. 318, No. 59 Class A
Henryville — No. 297, No. 70 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
South Central — Lost to Rock Creek 63-44 (Jan. 25)
Henryville — Lost to Borden 51-45 (Jan. 22)
• Last 20 years: Henryville 15-6. The Hornets have won five of the last six games in the series.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 12, 2021 — Henryville 65, at South Central 47.
• News & notes: Robinson is one win from his 200th career victory between Shakamak and South Centra.
• John Harrell prediction: Henryville 52, South Central 45.
• Sagarin projection: Henryville by 6.
• Outlook: The teams have identical records and they’re both on the same level. Henryville may be a little better, though. Give me the Hornets at home.
• Greg’s pick: Henryville 57, South Central 52.

EASTERN AT SPRINGS VALLEY
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Springs Valley H.S. (326 S. Larry Bird Blvd., French Lick)
• Records:
Eastern 13-2. The Musketeers have won 12 of their last 13 games.
Springs Valley 11-3. The Blackhawks currently have a 7-game winning streak.
• Coaches:
Eastern — Chandler Prible (25-15 in second season at Eastern)
Springs Valley — Jonathon Bowles (21-16 in second season at Springs Valley)
• Rankings:
Eastern — No. 11 AP (Class 2A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Eastern — No. 129, No. 15 Class 2A
Springs Valley — No. 196, No. 20 Class A
• Most recent game:
Eastern — Defeated Charlestown 55-47 (Jan. 21)
Springs Valley — Won at West Washington 63-51 (Jan. 25)
• Last 20 years: 7-7.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 29, 2021 — At Eastern 62, Springs Valley 57 (2OT).
• John Harrell prediction: Eastern 59, Springs Valley 54.
• Sagarin projection: Eastern by 3.
• Outlook: Springs Valley is pretty good but shouldn’t challenge Eastern, even in French Lick.
• Greg’s pick: Eastern 68, Springs Valley 56.

CORYDON CENTRAL AT PAOLI
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Paoli H.S. (501 Elm St., Paoli)
• Records:
Corydon Central 10-6. The Panthers are on a 4-game winning streak.
Paoli 7-6. The Rams have lost three of their last four games.
• Coaches:
Corydon Central — Joseph Hinton (31-32 in third season at Corydon)
Paoli — Dusty Cole (150-74 in 10th season at Paoli)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Corydon Central — No. 135, No. 39 Class 3A
Paoli — No. 221, No. 44 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
Corydon Central — Defeated Charlestown 58-33 (Jan. 22)
Paoli — Lost to Northeast Dubois 52-50 (Jan. 24)
• Last 20 years: Corydon Central 15-5.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 29, 2021 — At Corydon Central 68, Paoli 37.
• John Harrell prediction: Corydon Central 57, Paoli 49.
• Sagarin projection: Corydon Central by 5.
• Outlook: Corydon’s recent run won’t be slowed down in Paoli.
• Greg’s pick: Corydon Central 61, Paoli 53.

ORLEANS AT BORDEN
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Borden Junior-Senior H.S. (301 West St., Borden)
• Records:
Orleans 12-2. The Bulldogs have won five in a row.
Borden 10-5. The Braves have won six of their last eight games.
• Coaches:
Orleans — Tom Bradley (352-193 in 23rd season at Orleans)
Borden — Doc Nash (214-154 in 16th season at Borden)
• Rankings:
Orleans — No. 9 AP (Class A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Orleans — No. 165, No. 14 Class A
Borden — No. 231, No. 26 Class A
• Most recent game:
Orleans — Won at Perry Central 52-46 (Jan. 21)
Borden — Won at Henryville 51-45 (Jan. 22)
• Last 20 years: Orleans 15-8.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 29, 2021 — At Orleans 59, Borden 48.
• John Harrell prediction: Orleans 53, Borden 47.
• Sagarin projection: Orleans by 3.
• Outlook: This game has always kind of been a measuring stick game in Class A for Borden and Orleans. It’s a big victory for whichever team wins nearly every year. This year included.
• Greg’s pick: Orleans 56, Borden 52.

HIGHLANDS LATIN (KY.) AT ROCK CREEK
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Rock Creek Academy/Restoration Christian Church (8000 Diefenbach Ln., Sellersburg)
• Records:
Highlands Latin 6-13. The Highlanders have won their last two games.
Rock Creek 7-6. The Lions have won three of their last four.
• Coaches:
Highlands Latin — Anthony Schnell (Coaching records not available)
Rock Creek — Chris Brown (355-287 in 26th season at Rock Creek)
• Most recent game:
Highlands Latin — Defeated Christian Educational Consortium 75-49 (Jan. 25)
Rock Creek — Won at South Central 63-44 (Jan. 25)
• Last 20 years: First meeting.
• News & notes: This is the third year Highlands Latin has had a basketball program. They are 15-30 in their program’s history.
• Outlook: Don’t know much about the Highlanders, but it’s hard to imagine their better than Rock Creek.
• Greg’s pick: Rock Creek 64, Highlands Lating 41.

NEW WASHINGTON AT SWITZERLAND COUNTY
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Switzerland County H.S. (1020 W. Main St., Vevay)
• Records:
New Washington 3-11. The Mustangs have lost eight of their last nine games.
Switzerland County 6-9. The Pacers have lost three of their last four.
• Coaches:
New Washington — Kyle Brown (12-26 in second season at New Wash)
Switzerland County — Travis Wrightsman (9-30 in second season at Switzerland County, 273-189 in 19th season overall)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
New Washington — No. 358, No. 70 Class A
Switzerland County — No. 270, No. 61 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
New Washington — Lost at Southwestern 70-55 (Jan. 25)
Switzerland County — Won at Trinity Lutheran 45-33 (Jan. 22)
• Last 20 years: Switzerland County 14-6.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 2, 2021 — At New Washington 50, Switzerland County 44.
• John Harrell prediction: Switzerland County 61, New Washington 49.
• Sagarin projection: Switzerland County by 17.
• Outlook: New Wash has a chance to get back close to .500 before the sectional. It has to win games like this in order to do it.
• Greg’s pick: New Washington 58, Switzerland County 55.