By GREG MENGELT
Charlestown enters the game 17-5 and with seven wins in a row. Corydon is 19-2 and has won seven straight.
Corydon beat the Pirates 61-52 in overtime on Dec. 21. Charlestown-Cordyon is the lone game at the Class 3A North Harrison Sectional on Tuesday night and is the Hoosier Hills Hoops Girls’ Game of the Night.
Defending state champion Silver Creek (20-2) went 6-0 against the sectional field and is the clear favorite, but Charlestown and Corydon have to believe they’re right there with the Dragons. Salem (11-11), which could also be a factor in the sectional, gets the winner of Tuesday’s contest in Friday’s semifinal round.
“I’m not sure there’s an easy draw in this sectional,” Pirates’ boss Scott Matthews said. “Corydon is sitting there 19-2 and Salem still really good. They’ve been a state contender the last three or four years. And Silver Creek coming out of the other side. They’re state champions and not a whole lot different, it seems like. Madison’s good and Scottsburg’s capable as well.”
On Wednesday, North Harrison (9-12) will face Madison (11-8) and Scottsburg (11-11) will face the Class 3A No. 4 Dragons (20-2) in the two other quarterfinal matchups. Salem was the lone team to draw a bye into Friday’s semifinals.
CLASS 3A NORTH HARRISON SECTIONAL
GAME OF THE NIGHT
CHARLESTOWN VS. CORYDON CENTRAL
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Location: North Harrison H.S. (1070 Hwy. 64 N.W., Ramsey)
• Records:
Charlestown 17-5. The Pirates have won seven games in a row.
Corydon Central 19-2. The Panthers have won seven straight games.
• Coaches:
Charlestown — Scott Matthews (83-57 in sixth season at Charlestown)
Corydon Central — Josh Conrad (29-13 in second season at Corydon, 148-106 in 11th season overall)
• Rankings:
Corydon Central — No. 12 ICGSA (Class 3A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Charlestown — No. 57, No. 13 Class 3A
Corydon Central — No. 51, No. 12 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Charlestown — Won at Seymour 44-42 (Jan. 25)
Corydon Central — Won at Crawford County 55-21 (Jan. 27)
• Sectionals titles (most recent): Charlestown 10 (2010); Corydon Central 17 (2013).
• Regular-season result: Dec. 21 — Corydon Central 61, at Charlestown 52 (OT).
• Last postseason matchup: Feb. 13, 2010 — Charlestown 42, Corydon Central 28 (sectional championship)
• John Harrell prediction: Corydon Central 47, Charlestown 46.
• Sagarin projection: Corydon Central by 2.
• Outlook: One way or another, this feels like it comes down the final seconds.
• Greg’s pick: Charlestown 63, Corydon Central 62.
CLASS 4A JEFFERSONVILLE SECTIONAL
NEW ALBANY VS. SEYMOUR
• Time: 6 p.m.
• Location: William S. Johnson Arena, Jeffersonville H.S. (2315 Allison Ln., Jeffersonville)
• Records:
New Albany 5-18. The Bulldogs have lost 10 straight games.
Seymour 10-10. The Owls have lost two of their last three.
• Coaches:
New Albany — Shelby Gliebe (11-34 in second season at New Albany, 15-53 in third season overall)
Seymour — Jason Longmeier (122-102 in 10th season at Seymour, 156-152 in 14th season overall)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
New Albany — No. 174, No. 69 Class 4A
Seymour — No. 103, No. 52 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
New Albany — Lost to Seymour 48-46 (Jan. 27)
Seymour — Won at New Albany 48-46 (Jan. 27)
• Sectionals championships (most recent): Seymour 11 (2008); New Albany 12 (2002).
• Regular-season result: Jan. 27 — Seymour 48, at New Albany 46.
• Last postseason matchup: Feb. 1, 2019 — New Albany 79, Seymour 69 (sectional semifinal)
• John Harrell prediction: Seymour 52, New Albany 47.
• Sagarin projection: Seymour by 10.
• Outlook: We’re calling upset.
• Greg’s pick: New Albany 53, Seymour 51.
JEFFERSONVILLE VS. BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: William S. Johnson Arena, Jeffersonville H.S. (2315 Allison Ln., Jeffersonville)
• Records:
Jeffersonville 10-7. The Red Devils have won three games consecutively.
Bedford North Lawrence 20-2. The Stars have won four straight.
• Coaches:
Jeffersonville — Missy Voyles (16-19 in second season at Jeff, 286-133 in 18th season overall)
BNL — Jeff Allen (175-36 in eighth season at BNL)
• Rankings:
BNL — No. 4 IBCA (single class); No. 3 ICGSA (Class 4A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Jeffersonville — No. 71, No. 43 Class 4A
BNL — No. 12, No. 11 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
Jeffersonville — Won at Scottsburg 54-46 (Jan. 25)
BNL — Won at Martinsville 66-33 (Jan. 27)
• Sectionals championships (most recent): Jeffersonville 14 (2011); BNL 29 (2021, 10th straight).
• Regular-season result: Nov. 20 — At BNL 53, Jeffersonville 31.
• Last postseason matchup: Feb. 5, 2021 — BNL 62, Jeffersonville 36 (sectional semifinal).
• News & notes: BNL is 20-1 against teams from Indiana with the one loss coming against HHC-rival Columbus East (17-3).
• John Harrell prediction: BNL 54, Jeffersonville 36.
• Sagarin projection: BNL by 21.
• Outlook: After a frustrating season that never really got underway, the Red Devils draw BNL. A close game would be a victory for the Devils.
• Greg’s pick: BNL 66, Jeffersonville 53.
CLASS 2A CRAWFORD COUNTY SECTIONAL
EASTERN VS. HENRYVILLE
• Time: 6 p.m.
• Location: Ron Ferguson Gymnasium, Crawford County H.S. (1130 South State Road 66, Marengo)
• Records:
Eastern 12-11. The Musketeers have lost five of their last seven.
Henryville 9-12. The Hornets have lost three of their last four.
• Coaches:
Eastern — Michael McBride (231-126 in 15th season at Eastern)
Henryville — Tuesday Guernsey (24-39 in third season at Henryville)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Eastern — No. 114, No. 21 Class 2A
Henryville — No. 333, No. 84 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
Eastern — Won at Henryville 50-18 (Jan. 27)
Henryville — Lost to Eastern 50-18 (Jan. 27)
• Sectionals championships (most recent): Eastern 6 (2021, third straight); Henryville 1 (1994).
• Regular-season result: Jan. 27 — Eastern 50, at Henryville 18.
• Last postseason matchup: Feb. 7, 2020 — Eastern 52, Henryville 28 (Class 2A Providence Sectional semifinal)
• John Harrell prediction: Eastern 57, Henryville 19.
• Sagarin projection: Eastern by 36.
• Outlook: Eastern is the sectional favorite, but the Musketeers are going to have to play well to beat Crawford County and/or Austin.
• Greg’s pick: Eastern 49, Henryville 20.
AUSTIN VS. CLARKSVILLE
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Ron Ferguson Gymnasium, Crawford County H.S. (1130 South State Road 66, Marengo)
• Records:
Austin 7-11. The Eagles have lost two of their last three games.
Clarksville 3-18. The Generals have lost six in a row.
• Coaches:
Austin — Jared Petersen (238-175 in 17th season at Austin)
Clarksville — Amanda Carmichael (11-34 in second season at Clarksville, 71-128 in ninth season overall)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Austin — No. 180, No. 38 Class 2A
Clarksville — No. 372, No. 96 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
Austin — Lost at SAlem 68-45 (Jan. 27)
Clarksville — Lost to Henryville 33-23 (Jan. 25)
• Sectionals championships (most recent): Austin 11 (2010); Clarksville 3 (1987).
• Regular-season result: Dec. 16 — Austin 65, at Clarksville 18.
• Last postseason matchup: None in the last 20 years.
• John Harrell prediction: Austin 63, Clarksville 20.
• Sagarin projection: Austin by 42.
• Outlook: Austin has quietly had a really good second half of the regular season. The Eagles have a legit chance of reaching the final and a decent chance of winning this sectional.
• Greg’s pick: Austin 60, Clarksville 21.
CLASS A NEW WASHINGTON SECTIONAL
CHRISTIAN ACADEMY VS. SOUTH CENTRAL
• Time: 6 p.m.
• Location: James Matthews Gymnasium (a.k.a. The Jim), New Washington H.S. (226 N. Highway 62, New Washington)
• Records:
CAI 6-15. The Warriors are on a 5-game losing streak.
South Central 1-15. The Rebels enter the postseason on a 9-game losing streak.
• Coaches:
CAI — Carson Casey (14-50 in third season at CAI)
South Central — Lynne Thomas (4-49 in third season at South Central)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
CAI — No. 356, No. 75 Class A
South Central — No. 377, No. 83 Class A
• Most recent game:
CAI — Lost at Perry Central 46-27 (Jan. 27)
South Central — Lost to Clarksville 41-40 (Jan. 29)
• Sectionals championships (most recent): CAI 0; South Central 10 (2018).
• Regular-season result: Dec. 29 — Christian Academy 44, South Central 28.
• Last postseason matchup: Jan. 30, 2018 — South Central 49, CAI 29 (first round).
• John Harrell prediction: CAI 46, South Central 35.
• Sagarin projection: CAI by 10.
• Outlook: If the Warriors win, they’ll have their most wins since 2016-17.
• Greg’s pick: CAI 39, South Central 28.
LANESVILLE VS. ROCK CREEK
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: James Matthews Gymnasium (a.k.a. The Jim), New Washington H.S. (226 N. Highway 62, New Washington)
• Records:
Lanesville 22-1. The Eagles have won 18 games in a row
Rock Creek 9-8. The Lions have won their last two games.
• Coaches:
Lanesville — Angie Hinton (84-16 in fourth season at Lanesville, 257-89 in 15th season overall)
Rock Creek — Sara Nord (11-17 in second season at Rock Creek)
• Rankings:
Lanesville — No. 2 ICGSA (Class A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Lanesville — No. 52, No. 2 Class A
Rock Creek — No. 337, No. 68 Class A
• Most recent game:
Lanesville — Won at Scottsburg 39-28 (Jan. 28)
Rock Creek — Defeated South Central 53-50 (Jan. 27)
• Sectionals championships (most recent): Lanesville 3 (2021, third straight); Rock Creek 0.
• Regular-season result: Jan. 28 — Lanesville 58, at Rock Creek 18.
• Last postseason matchup: Feb. 7, 2020 — Lanesville 66, Rock Creek 19 (sectional semifinal)
• John Harrell prediction: Lanesville 66, Rock Creek 15.
• Sagarin projection: Lanesville by 50.
• Outlook: With its defense, Lanesville is pretty upset-proof.
• Greg’s pick: Lanesville 63, Rock Creek 16.
CLASS A WEST WASHINGTON SECTIONAL
WEST WASHINGTON VS. EDINBURGH
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Location: Tower Gymnasium, West Washington H.S. (8028 W. Batt Rd., Campbellsburg)
• Records:
West Washington 13-7. The Senators have lost three of their last four.
Edinburgh 8-10. The Lancers have lost six straight.
• Coaches:
West Washington — Matthew Myers (21-22 in second season at West Washington)
Edinburgh — Amy Schilling (76-124 in ninth season at Edinburgh, 101-163 in 12th season overall)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
West Washington — No. 272, No. 41 Class A
Edinburgh — No. 321, No. 62 Class A
• Most recent game:
West Washington — Woh at Borden 55-44 (Jan. 25)
Edinburgh — Lost at South Decatur 46-33 (Jan. 29)
• Sectionals championships (most recent): West Washington 3 (2019); Edinburgh 2 (2016).
• Regular-season result: Jan. 8 — At West Washington 44, Edinburgh 40.
• Last postseason matchup: Feb. 2, 2021 — West Washington 43, Edinburgh 40 (sectional first round).
• John Harrell prediction: West Washington 45, Edinburgh 34.
• Sagarin projection: West Washington by 9.
• Outlook: West Washington is playing well and should face Trinity Lutheran in Saturday’s championship.
• Greg’s pick: West Washington 50, Edinburgh 34.
