By GREG MENGELT
New Albany (9-7) has six games in the next 15 days — all against teams that present different challenges. It’s starts this weekend with trips to rivals Providence (13-4) and two-time defending state champion Silver Creek (7-10) and continues next week with games against rival Jeffersonville (5-8), BNL (8-8) and a trip to Evansville to face Central (7-8).
“As always, we have to be ready for the first game,” Shannon said Thursday evening. “We’ve been focusing on Providence all week.”
The Pioneers come into Friday’s contest at the Larkin Center having won seven of their last eight games.
“They play tenacious (defense) and they play well together,” Shannon said of the Pioneers. “Kaelin is a nice player and Williams is obviously a nice player, but they have several kids who can score. They’re very team-oriented and that’s always a tough place to play.”
Providence has already topped last year’s win total with four regular-season games to play. The Pioneers will enter the Southwestern Sectional in a couple weeks as co-favorites with the host Rebels (11-5).
“This team has played good basketball for much of the year,” Providence head coach Ryan Miller said. “We have had some bright spots and some good wins. We were playing some of our best ball of the season for the first three weeks of January. Then we threw in a couple of disappointing performances and a rough loss (71-64 at home against Rock Creek) to finish the month. … This is a good team, though, and recently we have had some productive practices with positive energy, attitudes and solid effort. Our players are trying to step up their vocal leadership and that is a must if we want to become a great team capable of accomplishing our goals.”
The Pioneers could use a win over their 4A rival as March approaches.
“New Albany is a dangerous team with very talented, versatile and experienced players,” Miller said. “They have weapons and abilities on both ends that are challenging to deal with. We know they are well coached and we appreciate the opportunity to face teams of New Albany’s caliber.”
After a 4-5 start against a schedule that included No. 14 Zionsville, No. 9 Floyd Central, No. 3 Carmel and No. 7 Cathedral, the Bulldogs have won five of their last seven games, including recent wins over Evansville Reitz, Evansville North and Columbus East.
“It was very difficult early in the season against some top-notch teams,” Shannon said. “We’ve played much better lately, playing with more confidence. We had a great week of practice. Hopefully it carries over to this weekend.”
GAME OF THE NIGHT
NEW ALBANY AT PROVIDENCE
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Larkin Center, Our Lady of Providence (707 Providence Way, Clarksville)
• Records:
New Albany 9-7. The Bulldogs have won five of their last seven games.
Providence 13-4. The Pioneers have won seven of their last eight games.
• Coaches:
New Albany — Jim Shannon (438-134 in 24th season at New Albany, 603-273 in 38th season overall)
Providence — Ryan Miller (43-20 in third season at Providence)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
New Albany — No. 67, No. 44 Class 4A
Providence — No. 150, No. 24 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
New Albany — Defeated Columbus East 59-51 (Feb. 5)
Providence — Won at South Central 51-39 (Feb. 7)
• Last 20 years: New Albany 17-3. The Bulldogs have won eight of their last nine vs. Providence.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 12, 2021 — At New Albany 46, Providence 41 (OT).
• John Harrell prediction: New Albany 54, Providence 48.
• Sagarin projection: New Albany by 5.
• Outlook: Providence will have to play better than it has been to beat New Albany. The Pioneers are capable of that, but I’m taking the Bulldogs.
• Greg’s pick: New Albany 61, Providence 51.
FLOYD CENTRAL AT MADISON
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Connor K. Salm Gymnasium, Madison H.S. (743 Clifty Dr., Madison)
• Records:
Floyd Central 15-2. The Highlanders are on a 10-game winning streak and have won 12 of their last 13.
Madison 5-11. The Cubs have lost four straight and five of their last six.
• Coaches:
Floyd Central — Todd Sturgeon (137-42 in eighth season at Floyd)
Madison — Adam Stotts (5-11 in first season at Madison)
• Rankings:
Floyd Central — No. 9 IBCA (single class); No. 11 AP (Class 4A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Floyd Central — No. 8, No. 8 Class 4A
Madison — No. 228, No. 64 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Floyd Central — Won at Silver Creek (Feb. 9)
Madison — Lost to Lawrenceburg 48-41 (Feb. 8)
• Last 20 years: Floyd Central 13-8. The Highlanders have won 7 consecutive games against Madison.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 12, 2021 — At Floyd Central 72, Madison 58.
• John Harrell prediction: Floyd Central 71, Madison 43.
• Sagarin projection: Floyd by 26.
• Outlook: Make it 11 in a row.
• Greg’s pick: Floyd Central 61, Madison 41.
CORYDON CENTRAL AT EASTERN
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Eastern H.S. (1100 N. Eastern School Rd., Pekin)
• Records:
Corydon Central 12-6, 4-2 MSC. The Panthers have won six straight games and 10 of their last 11.
Eastern 14-2, 3-2 MSC. The Musketeers have won three in a row and 13 of their last 14.
• Coaches:
Corydon Central — Joseph Hinton (33-32 in third season at Corydon)
Eastern — Chandler Prible (26-15 in second season at Eastern)
• Rankings:
Eastern — No. 13 AP (Class 2A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Corydon Central — No. 110, No. 29 Class 3A
Eastern — No. 133, No. 19 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
Corydon Central — Won at Austin 89-71 (Feb. 10)
Eastern — Won at Henryville 44-40 (Feb. 2)
• Last 20 years: Corydon 15-5. The Panthers have a 4-game winning streak in the series.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 12, 2021 — At Corydon 68, Estern 53.
• John Harrell prediction: Corydon 58, Eastern 57.
• Sagarin projection: Eastern by 2.
• Outlook: Wouldn’t surprise me if either team wins, but I’ll take the Panthers in an “upset.”
• Greg’s pick: Corydon 65, Eastern 58.
SILVER CREEK AT SCOTTSBURG
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Charles E. Meyer Gymnasium (1 Jim Barley Way, Scottsburg)
• Records:
Silver Creek 7-10, 1-3 MSC. The Dragons have lost their last two games and five of their last six.
Scottsburg 9-7, 4-2 MSC. The Warriors have lost their last two games and four of their last five.
• Coaches:
Silver Creek — Brandon Hoffman (208-83 in 12th season at Silver Creek)
Scottsburg — Eric Richardson (15-25 in second season at Scottsburg)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Silver Creek — No. 155, No. 43 Class 3A
Scottsburg — No. 117, No. 31 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Silver Creek — Lost to Floyd Central 75-47 (Feb. 9)
Scottsburg — Lost at Bloomington South 70-50 (Feb. 8)
• Last 20 years: Silver Creek 17-7.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 23, 2021 — Scottsburg 70, Silver Creek 65 (Jefferson County Invitational, consolation semifinal)
• John Harrell prediction: Scottsburg 60, Silver Creek 55.
• Sagarin projection: Scottsburg by 8.
• Outlook: I’ll take the Warriors to beat Silver Creek for the second time, but it might be a different story if the teams meet for a third time in March.
• Greg’s pick: Scottsburg 64, Silver Creek 61.
CRAWFORD COUNTY AT NORTH HARRISON
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: North Harrison H.S. (1070 Hwy. 64 N.W., Ramsey)
• Records:
Crawford County 2-15. The Wolfpack have lost their last two games and eight of their last nine.
North Harrison 12-3. The Cougars have won four games in a row and eight of their last nine.
• Coaches:
Crawford County — Jerry Hanger Jr. (5-32 in second season at Crawford)
North Harrison — Lou Lefevre (48-13 in third season at North Harrison, 313-93 in 18th season overall)
• Rankings:
North Harrison — No. 13 AP (Class 3A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Crawford County — No. 346, No. 89 Class 2A
North Harrison — No. 55, No. 9 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Crawford County — Lost at West Washington 74-69, OT (Feb. 2)
North Harrison — Won at Charlestown 61-32 (Feb. 5)
• Last 20 years: Crawford County 13-9. North Harrison has won its last two matchups against the Wolfpack.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 12, 2021 — North Harrison 62, at Crawford County 32.
• John Harrell prediction: North Harrison 71, Crawford County 34.
• Sagarin projection: North Harrison by 40.
• Outlook: If you’re looking to go to a competitive game Friday, stay away from Ramsey.
• Greg’s pick: North Harrison 67, Crawford County 33.
AUSTIN AT CHARLESTOWN
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Charlestown Sports Arena (1 Pirate Place, Charlestown)
• Records:
Austin 4-10, 1-4 MSC. The Eagles have lost two of their last three games.
Charlestown 5-13, 0-6 MSC. The Pirates have lost four of their last five.
• Coaches:
Austin — Randy Edwards (39-72 in fifth season at Austin)
Charlestown — Matt Lynch (5-13 in first season at Charlestown, 74-63 in sixth season overall)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Austin — No. 302, No. 73 Class 2A
Charlestown — No. 301, No. 82 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Austin — Lost at Trinity Lutheran 72-57 (Feb. 5)
Charlestown — Lost to North Harrison 61-32 (Feb. 5)
• Last 20 years: Austin 11-9. The Eagles have won five games in a row against Charlestown.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 22, 2021 — At Austin 69, Charlestown 63.
• John Harrell prediction: Charlestown 57, Austin 55.
• Sagarin projection: Charlestown by 4.
• Outlook: A Charlestown win will leave Salem as the lone team without an MSC win.
• Greg’s pick: Charlestown 59, Austin 52.
LANESVILLE AT NEW WASHINGTON
• 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 4-15, 0-3 SAC. The Eagles have lost three straight and five of their last six.
New Washington 5-11, 1-1 SAC. The Mustangs have won three of their last four games.
• Coaches:
Lanesville — Mikel Miller (291-224 in 22nd season at Lanesville)
New Washington — Kyle Brown (14-26 in second season at New Wash)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Lanesville — No. 316, No. 59 Class A 46
New Washington — No. 344, No. 64 Class A 45
• Most recent game:
Lanesville — Lost to Rock Creek 54-43 (Feb. 9)
New Washington — Won at Medora 69-33 (Feb. 7)
• Last 20 years: Lanesville 19-4. The Eagles have won six in a row in the series.
• Most recent meeting: March 2, 2021 — Lanesville 53, New Washington 42 (Class A Borden Sectional first round)
• John Harrell prediction: Lanesville 54, New Washington 51.
• Sagarin projection: Lanesville by 1.
• Outlook: If you’re looking for the most competitive game Friday, you may want to make a trip to The Jim.
• Greg’s pick: New Washington 55, Lanesville 54.
CLARKSVILLE AT SALEM
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Brooks Memorial Gymnasium, Salem H.S. (700 N. Harrison St., Salem)
• Records:
Clarksville 4-13. The Generals have lost seven straight games.
Salem 4-11. The Lions have lost four consecutive games.
• Coaches:
Clarksville — Kyle Hankins (4-13 in first season at Clarksville)
Salem — Duane Malloy (4-11 in first season at Salem)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Clarksville — No. 320, No. 77 Class 2A
Salem — No. 332, No. 88 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Clarksville — Lost to Switzerland County 60-55 (Feb. 9)
Salem — Lost at Paoli 65-36 (Feb. 9)
• Last 20 years: 10-10. Clarksville has won five in a row over Salem.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 12, 2021 — At Clarksville 78, Salem 53.
• John Harrell prediction: Clarksville 60, Salem 55.
• Sagarin projection: Salem by 2.
• Outlook: The Lions have already equaled last year’s win total. I’m guessing they surpass it tonight, but it certainly won’t be easy.
• Greg’s pick: Salem 53, Clarksville 48.
SOUTH CENTRAL AT HENRYVILLE
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Furnish Gym, Henryville H.S. (213 N. Ferguson St., Henryville)
• Records:
South Central 6-10, 2-1 SAC. The Rebels have won two of their last three games.
Henryville 4-12, 1-1 SAC. The Hornets have lost five games in a row.
• Coaches:
South Central — Greg Robinson (179-178 in 16th season at South Central, 201-241 in 20th season overall)
Henryville — Jared Hill (95-88 in eighth season at Henryville)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
South Central — No. 306, No. 54 Class A
Henryville — No. 298, No. 71 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
South Central — Lost to Providence 51-39 (Feb. 7)
Henryville — Lost at Christian Academy 45-39 (Feb. 8)
• Last 20 years: Henryville 15-6. The Hornets have won five of the last six vs. South Central.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 12, 2021 — Henryville 65, at South Central 47.
• John Harrell prediction: Henryville 52, South Central 46.
• Sagarin projection: Henryville by 1.
• Outlook: I’ll take Henryville at home, but this is another one that could go either way.
• Greg’s pick: Henryville 51, South Central 49.
CROTHERSVILLE AT WEST WASHINGTON
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Tower Gymnasium, West Washington H.S. (8028 W. Batt Rd., Campbellsburg)
• Records:
Crothersville 2-14. The Tigers have lost three straight and 12 of their last 13.
West Washington 5-11. The Senators have won four of their last six games.
• Coaches:
Crothersville — Bryant Layman (2-14 in first season at Crothersville)
West Washington — Clayton Sullivan (44-47 in fourth season at West Washington)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Crothersville — No. 339, No. 93 Class A
West Washington — No. 313, No. 57 Class A
• Most recent game:
Crothersville — Lost to South Decatur 85-43 (Feb. 8)
West Washington — Lost at Borden 56-47 (Feb. 10)
• Last 20 years: West Washington 21-5.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 12, 2021 — West Washington 56, at Crothersville 44.
• John Harrell prediction: West Washington 73, Crothersville 38.
• Sagarin projection: West Washington by 35.
• Outlook: As many tough losses as West Washington had early in the year, it’s goo the they’re finally winning some of those games.
• Greg’s pick: West Washington 70, Crothersville 48.
