By GREG MENGELT
Corydon has some big wins during the run, but the truth is it hasn’t truly been tested since its 65-52 loss at Floyd Central. Before that, the Panthers’ biggest test was Jasper and that was a loss too.
So here are the Panthers at 10-6 and looking for a signature win on the final weekend of January.
“These boys have really turned it up for this second half of the season,” Corydon boss Joe Hinton said. “Things are starting to click and the defensive effort has really stepped up to the next level. We are a very team-oriented ball club and every player plays a big role with our success. It’s hard to guard a ‘team.’”
The Panthers haven’t had a winning season since 2014-15 when they went 17-8, but Hinton is excited about his mix of talent. Junior Tyler Fessel (12.4 points per game), senior Bryce Weber (11.3) and junior Anthony Martin (10.3) lead the way, but Corydon has very good depth and balance.
“Tyler Fessel has brought the team together as our point guard and leading scorer. Anthony Martin is starting to become the matchup problem he is meant to be, on offense and defense. Bryce Weber is the motor that helps everything move together on both ends of the floor,” Hinton said. “Those three guys are instrumental in our success, but Austin Vaughn has been a menace in the paint for us, a presence we have been lacking in previous years, Nolan Ables and Owen Shireman have been the utility players we need, truly the glue of the whole operation. T-Mac Wilkinson has stepped up and really progressed over the year, hitting some massive shots for us with some lockdown defense. We just got Jalen Fowler back and Trey Wiley and Hunter Schmitt have also given us some good minutes. Tyler, Anthony and Bryce are our best players, but every player that sees the floor is important to this program. We are trying to become the best team possible.”
Saturday’s opponent in the Hoosier Hills Hoops Boys’ Game of the Week is Brownstown Central. The Braves are 12-2 overall, the only unbeaten team in the Mid-Southern Conference at 5-0, have won four straight games and are currently ranked eighth in Class 3A.
“Brownstown is at the top right now,” Hinton said of the MSC race. “They are well coached and they have some unbelievably talented players. Jack Benter is one of the best players in the area, maybe Indiana. (Carter) Waskom is a high volume player, and the rest of their team is solid and physical. It’s a tough matchup, but we are ready for the test. We want the challenge and it would be amazing for our team if we can cause a little chaos in the conference.
“More importantly, we want to be playing our best basketball going into tournament time. Our team is focused and goal-oriented. This is something we have been missing. Our boys are really starting to click and figure it out. This will be just the opportunity we need to see what we need to do in order to reach the level of success we want. It’ll be a tall task, but we’re looking forward to it. Our young men are great guys on and off the court and they are working so hard and having some fun along the way.”
GAME OF THE NIGHT
BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL AT CORYDON CENTRAL
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Corydon Central H.S. (375 Country Club Rd., Corydon)
• Records:
Brownstown Central 12-2, 5-0 MSC. The Braves are currently on a 4-game winning streak.
Corydon Central 10-6, 2-2 MSC. The Panthers have won four games in a row.
• Coaches:
Brownstown — Dave Benter (415-155 in 24th season at Brownstown)
Corydon — Joseph Hinton (31-32 in third season at Corydon)
• Rankings:
Brownstown — No. 8 AP (Class 3A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Brownstown — No. 49, No. 10 Class 3A
Corydon — No. 135, No. 39 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Brownstown — Defeated Austin 76-41 (Jan. 25)
Corydon — Defeated Charlestown 58-33 (Jan. 22)
• Last 20 years: Brownstown 19-4. The Braves have won six of their last seven vs. Corydon.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 30, 2021 — At Brownstown 66, Corydon 50.
• John Harrell prediction: Brownstown 61, Corydon 56.
• Sagarin projection: Brownstown by 6.
• Outlook: Corydon has a chance, but it looks like Brownstown is an elite 3A team.
• Greg’s pick: Brownstown 58, Corydon 52.
BLOOMINGTON SOUTH AT SILVER CREEK
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Silver Creek H.S. (557 Renz Ave., Sellersburg)
• Records:
South 12-5. The Panthers have won five games in a row.
Silver Creek 6-7. The Dragons have lost their last two games.
• Coaches:
South — J.R. Holmes (730-231 in 40th season at South, 873-349 in 52nd season overall)
Silver Creek — Brandon Hoffman (207-80 in 12th season at Silver Creek)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
South — No. 37, No. 29 Class 4A
Silver Creek — No. 133, No. 38 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
South — Defeated Terre Haute South 48-37 (Jan. 28)
Silver Creek — Lost to Brownstown 83-71 (Jan. 14)
• Last 20 years: South 5-0.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 30, 2021 — At Bloomington South 42, Silver Creek 41.
• News & notes: South gave the Dragons one of their four losses last season.
• John Harrell prediction: South 55, Silver Creek 48.
• Sagarin projection: South by 6.
• Outlook: Gotta feeling that this is where Silver Creek takes off.
• Greg’s pick: Silver Creek 49, South 46.
JASPER AT NEW ALBANY
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: The Doghouse, New Albany H.S. (1020 Vincennes Street, New Albany)
• Records:
Jasper 12-3. The Wildcats have won four of their last five games.
New Albany 8-5. The Bulldogs are on a 4-game winning streak.
• Coaches:
Jasper — John Goebel (199-139 season at Jasper, 285-176 season overall)
New Albany — Jim Shannon (437-132 in 24th season at New Albany, 602-271 in 38th season overall)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Jasper — No. 56, No. 37 Class 3A
New Albany — No. 50, No. 36 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
Jasper — Defeated Northeast Dubois 58-55 (Jan. 28)
New Albany — Won at Evansville North 54-41 (Jan. 29)
• Last 20 years: New Albany 18-2. The Bulldogs have won eight consecutive games in the series.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 30, 2021 — New Albany 55, at Jasper 47.
• John Harrell prediction: New Albany 52, Jasper 51.
• Sagarin projection: New Albany by 5.
• Outlook: Jasper is good but probably not on New Albany’s level.
• Greg’s pick: New Albany 65, Jasper 55.
EVANSVILLE REITZ AT FLOYD CENTRAL
• Time: 8 p.m.
• Location: Joe Hinton Court, Floyd Central H.S. (6575 Old Vincennes Rd., Floyds Knobs)
• Records:
Reitz 7-5. The Panthers have lost three of their last four games.
Floyd Central 11-2. The Highlanders have won six in a row.
• Coaches:
Reitz — Michael Adams (393-262 in 29th season at Reitz, 452-274 in 32nd season overall)
Floyd Central — Todd Sturgeon (133-42 in eighth season at Floyd)
• Rankings:
Floyd Central — No. 15 IBCA (single class).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Reitz — No. 46, No. 33 Class 4A
Floyd Central — No. 10, No. 10 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
Reitz — Defeated Evansville Central 70-57 (Jan. 28)
Floyd Central — Won at Seymour 60-50 (Jan. 28)
• Last 20 years: 6-6. Floyd has won four of its last five vs. Reitz.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 30, 2021 — Floyd Central 63, at Reitz 50.
• John Harrell prediction: Floyd 61, Reitz 51.
• Sagarin projection: Floyd by 13.
• Outlook: Maybe the Highlanders will actually get some votes from the media after this win.
• Greg’s pick: Floyd Central 60, Reitz 47.
CHRISTIAN ACADEMY AT BORDEN
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Borden Junior-Senior H.S. (301 West St., Borden)
• Records:
CAI 6-9. The Warriors are on a 4-game losing streak.
Borden 10-5. The Braves have won six of their last eight games.
• Coaches:
CAI — Hayden Casey (15-26 in second season at CAI)
Borden — Doc Nash (214-154 in 16th season at Borden)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
CAI — No. 269, No. 40 Class A
Borden — No. 231, No. 26 Class A
• Most recent game:
CAI — Lost to Providence 47-46 (Jan. 28)
Borden — Won at Henryville 51-45 (Jan. 22)
• Last 20 years: Borden 14-10. CAI has won six of its last seven vs. the Braves.
• Most recent meeting: March 5, 2021 — Christian Academy 58, Borden 56 (Class A Borden Sectional semifinal)
• John Harrell prediction: Borden 58, CAI 54.
• Sagarin projection: Borden by 10.
• Outlook: This seems to happen at least once a week about the local Class A sectional: Both of these teams appear to be contenders.
• Greg’s pick: Borden 58, CAI 55.
SALEM AT EASTERN
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Eastern H.S. (1100 N. Eastern School Rd., Pekin)
• Records:
Salem 4-9, 0-3 MSC. The Lions have lost three of their last four games.
Eastern 13-2, 3-2 MSC. The Musketeers have won 12 of their last 13.
• Coaches:
Salem — Duane Malloy (4-9 in first season at Salem)
Eastern — Chandler Prible (25-15 in second season at Eastern)
• Rankings:
Eastern — No. 11 AP (Class 2A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Salem — No. 329, No. 87 Class 3A
Eastern — No. 129, No. 15 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
Salem — Lost to North Harrison 77-31 (Jan. 22)
Eastern — Defeated Charlestown 55-47 (Jan. 21)
• Last 20 years: Salem 22-15.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 17, 2021 — Eastern 67, Salem 42 (Washington County Invitational, semifinal)
• John Harrell prediction: Eastern 72, Salem 42.
• Sagarin projection: Eastern by 29.
• Outlook: Salem’s goal should be to be more competitive with Eastern than the first time they met in December.
• Greg’s pick: Eastern 69, Salem 46.
CHARLESTOWN AT LANESVILLE
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Lanesville H.S. (2725 Crestview Ave. NE, Lanesville)
• Records:
Charlestown 4-11. The Pirates have lost eight of their last nine games.
Lanesville 4-12. The Eagles have lost two of their last three.
• Coaches:
Charlestown — Matt Lynch (4-11 in first season at Charlestown, 73-61 in sixth season overall)
Lanesville — Mikel Miller (291-221 in 22nd season at Lanesville)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Charlestown — No. 295, No. 83 Class 3A
Lanesville — No. 299, No. 48 Class A
• Most recent game:
Charlestown — Lost at Corydon 58-33 (Jan. 22)
Lanesville — Won at Clarksville 65-52 (Jan. 22)
• Last 20 years: 1-1.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 17, 2021 — At Charlestown 54, Lanesville 52.
• John Harrell prediction: Lanesville 50, Charlestown 49.
• Sagarin projection: Lanesville by 3.
• Outlook: Charlestown is the better team here … I think.
• Greg’s pick: Charlestown 55, Lanesville 50.
CLARKSVILLE AT SOUTH CENTRAL
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: South Central H.S. Main Gym (6675 E. Hwy. 11 S.E., Elizabeth)
• Records:
Clarksville 4-10. The Generals are currently on a 4-game losing streak.
South Central 4-9. The Rebels have lost their last two games.
• Coaches:
Clarksville — Kyle Hankins (4-10 in first season at Clarksville)
South Central — Greg Robinson (177-177 in 16th season at South Central, 199-240 in 20th season overall)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Clarksville — No. 300, No. 72 Class 2A
South Central — No. 318, No. 59 Class A
• Most recent game:
Clarksville — Lost to Lanesville 65-52 (Jan. 22)
South Central — Lost to Rock Creek 63-44 (Jan. 25)
• Last 20 years: Clarksville 7-0.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 1, 2020 — Clarksville 65, at South Central 51.
• News & notes: Robinson will earn his 200th career victory with the Rebels’ next win.
• John Harrell prediction: Clarksville 54, South Central 53.
• Sagarin projection: South Central by 2.
• Outlook: This one could go either way. I’ll take the Rebels at home.
• Greg’s pick: South Central 51, Clarksville 46.
NORTH HARRISON AT MADISON
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Connor K. Salm Gymnasium, Madison H.S. (743 Clifty Dr., Madison)
• Records:
North Harrison 10-3. The Cougars have won two straight and six of their last seven games.
Madison 5-7. The Cubs have won three of their last four.
• Coaches:
North Harrison — Lou Lefevre (46-13 in third season at North Harrison, 311-93 in 18th season overall)
Madison — Adam Stotts (5-7 in first season at Madison)
• Rankings:
North Harrison — No. 15 AP (Class 3A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
North Harrison — No. 45, No. 9 Class 3A
Madison — No. 181, No. 50 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
North Harrison — Won at Salem 77-31 (Jan. 22)
Madison — Defeated Charlestown 67-46 (Jan. 8)
• Last 20 years: Madison 15-6. North Harrison has won its last two vs. the Cubs.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 30, 2021 — At North Harrison 61, Madison 44.
• John Harrell prediction: North Harrison 66, Madison 51.
• Sagarin projection: North Harrison by 11.
• Outlook: Yeah, they’re 10-3 and ranked 15th but are we underrating the Cougars?
• Greg’s pick: North Harrison 67, Madison 48.
HENRYVILLE AT EDINBURGH
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Edinburgh H.S. (300 S. Keeley, Edinburgh)
• Records:
Henryville 4-9. The Hornets have lost three of their last four games.
Edinburgh 13-1. The Lancers have won their last two games.
• Coaches:
Henryville — Jared Hill (95-85 in eighth season at Henryville)
Edinburgh — Keith Witty (67-47 in fifth season at Edinburgh)
• Rankings:
Edinburgh — No. 2 AP (Class A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Henryville — No. 297, No. 70 Class 2A
Edinburgh — No. 156, No. 12 Class A
• Most recent game:
Henryville — Lost to Borden 51-45 (Jan. 22)
Edinburgh — Won at Morristown 69-49 (Jan. 28)
• Last 20 years: Edinburgh 2-1.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 30, 2021 — Edinburgh 55, at Henryville 39.
• News & notes: The Lancers’ lone loss came in the opening round of the Johnson County Tournament against Greenwood on Jan. 11. Edinburgh lost 37-34 in overtime.
• John Harrell prediction: Edinburgh 61, Henryville 45.
• Sagarin projection: Edinburgh by 22.
• Outlook: Edinburgh clearly has one of the better teams in Class A in Southern Indiana.
• Greg’s pick: Edinburgh 63, Henryville 42.
SHAWE MEMORIAL AT WEST WASHINGTON
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Tower Gymnasium, West Washington H.S. (8028 W. Batt Rd., Campbellsburg)
• Records:
Shawe 5-7. The Hilltoppers have lost four straight games.
West Washington 4-10. The Senators have won two of their last three.
• Coaches:
Shawe — Dan Hambrick (15-40 in third season at Shawe)
West Washington — Clayton Sullivan (43-46 in fourth season at West Washington)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Shawe — No. 382, No. 85 Class A
West Washington — No. 317, No. 58 Class A
• Most recent game:
Shawe — Lost at Jac-Cen-Del 72-14 (Jan. 19)
West Washington — Lost to Springs Valley 63-51 (Jan. 25)
• Last 20 years: West Washington 4-0.
• Most recent meeting: March 2, 2021 — West Washington 77, Shawe 29 (Class A West Washington Sectional first round)
• News & notes: The Senators have beaten Shawe in the first round of the sectional the last three years. They’ve outscored the Hilltoppers 189-104 in those three contests.
• John Harrell prediction: West Washington 61, Shawe 40.
• Sagarin projection: West Washington by 21.
• Outlook: The Senators need to get on a roll because they’re much better than their record.
• Greg’s pick: West Washington 54, Shawe 31.
BLOOMINGTON LIGHTHOUSE AT NEW WASHINGTON
• Time: 2:30 p.m.
• Location: James Matthews Gymnasium (a.k.a. The Jim), New Washington H.S. (226 N. Highway 62, New Washington)
• Records:
Lighthouse 12-5. The Lions have won seven games in a row.
New Washington 3-11. The Mustangs have lost eight of their last nine.
• Coaches:
Lighthouse — Jeff Mills (12-5 in first season at Lighthouse)
New Washington — Kyle Brown (12-26 in second season at New Wash)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Lighthouse — No. 362, No. 73 Class A
New Washington — No. 358, No. 70 Class A
• Most recent game:
Lighthouse — Won at Providence Cristo Rey 44-34 (Jan. 28)
New Washington — Lost at Southwestern 70-55 (Jan. 25)
• Last 20 years: First meeting.
• News & notes: This is the 14th full varsity season for the Lighthouse program.
• John Harrell prediction: New Washington 56, Lighthouse 51.
• Sagarin projection: New Wash by 5.
• Outlook: Expect the Mustangs to win comfortably in spite of what the records say.
• Greg’s pick: New Washington 61, Lighthouse 47.
