By GREG MENGELT
Almost a quarter of this year’s opponents are 4A teams. So far it’s been a mixed bag for Scottsburg. During their 6-1 start, the Warriors defeated a good Columbus North (14-5), but they’ve since lost New Albany and Seymour, both by 20 points.
Now they have an even bigger task in Tuesday’s Hoosier Hills Hoops Boys’ Game of the Night. Bloomington South (13-5) has been the best program in Indiana south of Indianapolis over the past two decades. J.R. Holmes has 731 career wins, just 716 more than Scottsburg’s Eric Richardson.
Richardson has Scottsburg (9-6) back on the rise, but the 2021-22 squad has struggled of late. His second season has already produced nine wins after winning just six game last season.
However, Warriors have lost five of their last eight games and could use a win. A win over Bloomington South would be a huge statement to Scottsburg’s sectional opponents.
This will be the second time the Panthers and Warriors have played. South won by 11 at Scottsburg last season.
Jeffersonville vs. Trinity and Floyd Central vs. Silver Creek were both supposed to be played Tuesday but were postponed or canceled. However, there are some good games.
Sectional rivals Rock Creek (7-7) and Lanesville (4-14) could meet again in March. Both should be contenders. Salem (4-10) travels to Paoli (8-7) and Christian Academy (6-11) will try to snap a 5-game losing streak when it hosts Henryville (4-11), which has lost four in a row.
SCOTTSBURG AT BLOOMINGTON SOUTH
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: South H.S. (1965 S. Walnut St., Bloomington)
• Records:
Scottsburg 9-6. The Warriors have lost three of their last four games.
Bloomington South 13-5. The Panthers have won six games in a row.
• Coaches:
Scottsburg — Eric Richardson (15-24 in second season at Scottsburg)
South — J.R. Holmes (731-231 in 40th season at South, 874-349 in 52nd season overall)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Scottsburg — No. 117, No. 31 Class 3A
South — No. 35, No. 27 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
Scottsburg — Lost at Seymour 49-29 (Jan. 22)
South — Won at Silver Creek 56-39 (Jan. 29)
• Last 20 years: South 4-0.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 4, 2021 — South 59, at Scottsburg 48
• John Harrell prediction: South 54, Scottsburg 43.
• Sagarin projection: South by 14.
• Outlook: The Panthers are hot, playing at home and well rested. The Warriors will do well to hang close.
• Greg’s pick: South 57, Scottsburg 40.
ROCK CREEK AT LANESVILLE
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Lanesville H.S. (2725 Crestview Ave. NE, Lanesville)
• Records:
Rock Creek 7-7. The Lions have won two of their last three games.
Lanesville 4-14. The Eagles have lost four of their last five.
• Coaches:
Rock Creek — Chris Brown (355-288 in 26th season at Rock Creek)
Lanesville — Mikel Miller (291-223 in 22nd season at Lanesville)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Rock Creek — No. 199, No. 21 Class A
Lanesville — No. 316, No. 59 Class A
• Most recent game:
Rock Creek — Lost to Jeffersonville 67-52 (Feb. 2)
Lanesville — Lost at Tecumseh 53-41 (Feb. 5)
• Last 20 years: Lanesville 18-7. The Eagles have won three of their last four against Rock Creek.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 9, 2021 — At Rock Creek 49, Lanesville 48.
• John Harrell prediction: Rock Creek 59, Lanesville 46.
• Sagarin projection: Rock Creek by 12.
• Outlook: Rock Creek is 4-0 against other Class A teams. The Lions are legit.
• Greg’s pick: Rock Creek 59, Lanesville 46.
HENRYVILLE AT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Christian Academy of Indiana (1000 Academy Dr., New Albany)
• Records:
Henryville 4-11. The Hornets have lost four straight games.
Christian Academy 6-11. The Warriors have lost six in a row.
• Coaches:
Henryville — Jared Hill (95-87 in eighth season at Henryville)
CAI — Hayden Casey (15-28 in second season at CAI)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Henryville — No. 298, No. 71 Class 2A
CAI — No. 268, No. 40 Class A
• Most recent game:
Henryville — Lost to Eastern 44-40 (Feb. 2)
CAI — Lost at Evansville Christian 66-55 (Feb. 5)
• Last 20 years: Henryville 15-13. The Hornets have won their last two vs. CAI.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 9, 2021 — At Henryville 55, CAI 46.
• John Harrell prediction: CAI 57, Henryville 49.
• Sagarin projection: CAI by 7.
• Outlook: Both teams are on losing streak but neither is bad. Should be a very competitive game.
• Greg’s pick: CAI 64, Henryville 61.
SALEM AT PAOLI
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Paoli H.S. (501 Elm St., Paoli)
• Records:
Salem 4-10. The Lions have lost three straight games.
Paoli 8-7. The Rams have lost four of their last six.
• Coaches:
Salem — Duane Malloy (4-10 in first season at Salem)
Paoli — Dusty Cole (151-75 in 10th season at Paoli)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Salem — No. 332, No. 88 Class 3A
Paoli — No. 241, No. 51 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
Salem — Lost to Austin 69-67 (Jan. 31)
Paoli — Won at Shoals 51-46 (Feb. 2)
• Last 20 years: 10-10. Paoli has beaten Salem four times in a row.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 9 — Paoli 68, at Salem 56.
• John Harrell prediction: Paoli 64, Salem 44.
• Sagarin projection: Paoli by 17.
• Outlook: Winning at Paoli would be a good way for the Lions to surpass last year’s win total. They have an outside chance.
• Greg’s pick: Paoli 55, Salem 48.
