By GREG MENGELT
At 15-3, Eastern appears to be a slight favorite over Paoli and Perry Central in its sectional, which will be played at Tell City in less than two weeks. The Musketeers have won the Washington County championship and beat 2-time defending state champion Silver Creek for the first time since 2013.
The 2021-22 season has been a complete success for Eastern, except for one thing: its conference record. All three losses this year have come against a very strong Mid-Southern Conference field.
The Musketeers are 12-0 in non-conference games.
On Friday, Eastern has a chance to play the role of spoiler in the MSC race and finish its conference slate above .500 for the first time since 2011, but it will be a daunting task. The Braves, who are 17-3 overall and 6-1 in the MSC and are coming off a an upset at Class 4A No. 6 Floyd Central, can tie North Harrison (14-3, 7-1) for the Mid-Southern championship with a win in Friday’s Hoosier Hills Hoops Boys’ Game of the Night. A loss gives the Cougars the title all to themselves.
Brownstown has beaten the Musketeers 14 straight times.
“We have been in the mix against top teams (in the conference) but have struggled to get over the hump and win those games,” second-year Eastern head coach Chandler Prible said.
In its 60-58 come-from-behind overtime victory over Floyd Central, which snapped the Highlanders’ 11-game winning streak, junior Jack Benter — son of long-time Brownstown head coach Dave Benter — scored 37 of the Braves’ 60 points and hit a 3-pointer from 30 feet at the buzzer to win it.
Brownstown has won five straight and nine of its last 10 overall.
“Brownstown is a well coached team and has one of the best players on our schedule,” Prible said.
Eastern closes its MSC slate Saturday when rival Salem (4-13, 0-5 MSC) visits Pekin.
GAME OF THE NIGHT
BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL AT EASTERN
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Eastern H.S. (1100 N. Eastern School Rd., Pekin)
• Records:
Brownstown Central 17-3, 6-1 MSC. The Braves have won five games in a row and nine of their last 10.
Eastern 15-3, 3-3 MSC. The Musketeers have won four of their last five.
• Coaches:
Brownstown — Dave Benter (420-156 in 24th season at Brownstown)
Eastern — Chandler Prible (27-16 in second season at Eastern)
• Rankings:
Brownstown — No. 10 AP (Class 3A).
Eastern — No. 16 AP (Class 2A).
• Sagarin Ratings:
Brownstown — No. 65, No. 14 Class 3A
Eastern — No. 145, No. 23 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
Brownstown — Won at Floyd Central 60-58, OT (Feb. 15)
Eastern — Won at Rock Creek 48-45 (Feb. 15)
• Last 20 years: Brownstown 20-3. The Braves have a 14-game winning streak in the series.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 19, 2021 — At Brownstown 47, Eastern 46.
• News & notes: With a win, Brownstown is the Mid-Southern Conference co-champion with North Harrison. With an Eastern win, the Cougars win the title outright for the second straight season.
• John Harrell prediction: Brownstown 62, Eastern 54.
• Sagarin projection: Brownstown by 5.
• Outlook: Brownstown should win, even on the road, but expect the Musketeers to hang with the Braves for most of the game.
• Greg’s pick: Brownstown 58, Eastern 52.
NORTH HARRISON AT PROVIDENCE
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Larkin Center, Our Lady of Providence (707 Providence Way, Clarksville)
• Records:
North Harrison 14-3. The Cougars have won six in a row and 10 of their last 11.
Providence 14-4. The Pioneers have won their last three and eight of their last nine.
• Coaches:
North Harrison — Lou Lefevre (50-13 in third season at North Harrison, 315-93 in 18th season overall)
Providence — Ryan Miller (44-20 in third season at Providence)
• Rankings:
North Harrison — No. 12 AP (Class 3A).
Providence — No. 16 AP (Class 2A).
• Sagarin Ratings:
North Harrison — No. 55, No. 9 Class 3A
Providence — No. 124, No. 19 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
North Harrison — Defeated Clarksville 73-42 (Feb. 15)
Providence — Defeat New Albany 51-36 (Feb. 11)
• Last 20 years: Providence 13-7. North Harrison has won the last four the series.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 19, 2021 — At North Harrison 76, Providence 64.
• News & notes: North Harrison coach Lou Lefevre went 162-52 and won three sectionals and two regionals in 10 years as the Pioneers’ head coach.
• John Harrell prediction: North Harrison 54, Providence 47.
• Sagarin projection: North Harrison by 4.
• Outlook: Lefevre’s going to do what he did for a decade … win at Providence.
• Greg’s pick: North Harrison 59, Providence 48.
BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE AT NEW ALBANY
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: The Doghouse, New Albany H.S. (1020 Vincennes Street, New Albany)
• Records:
Bedford North Lawrence 9-9, 1-4 HHC. The Stars have lost two of their last three games but have won three of their last five.
New Albany 10-9, 2-3 HHC. The Bulldogs have lost four of their last six.
• Coaches:
BNL — Jeff Hein (38-30 in third season at BNL, 333-236 in 25th season overall)
New Albany — Jim Shannon (439-136 in 24th season at New Albany, 604-275 in 38th season overall)
• Sagarin Ratings:
BNL — No. 109, No. 64 Class 4A
New Albany — No. 88, No. 54 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
BNL — Won at Mitchell 65-31 (Feb. 15)
New Albany — Lost to Jeffersonville 70-58 (Feb. 16)
• Last 20 years: New Albany 24-5. The Bulldogs have won 12 of the last 13 vs. BNL.
• Most recent meeting: March 5, 2021 — BNL 49, New Albany 48 (Class 4A Seymour Sectional semifinal)
• News & notes: A win by New Albany would move the Bulldogs into a third-place tie in the final HHC standings (with Jeff and Jennings), while a loss would mean a fifth-place tie with the Stars.
• John Harrell prediction: New Albany 53, BNL 49.
• Sagarin projection: New Albany by 7.
• Outlook: I’ve seen BNL and I’ve seen New Albany and New Albany is the better team.
• Greg’s pick: New Albany 66, BNL 55.
JEFFERSONVILLE AT EVANSVILLE REITZ
• Time: 8 p.m.
• Location: Reitz Large Gym, Reitz H.S. (350 Dreier Blvd., Evansville)
• Records:
Jeffersonville 6-9. The Red Devils have won four of their last five games.
Evansville Reitz 9-7. The Panthers have won two of their last three.
• Coaches:
Jeffersonville — Andrew Grantz (21-16 in second season at Jeff, 109-58 in seventh season overall)
Reitz — Michael Adams (395-264 in 29th season at Reitz, 454-276 in 32nd season overall)
• Sagarin Ratings:
Jeffersonville — No. 102, No. 60 Class 4A
Reitz — No. 46, No. 36 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
Jeffersonville — Won at New Albany 70-58 (Feb. 16)
Reitz — Lost at Bloomington North 61-47 (Feb. 12)
• Last 20 years: Jeffersonville 10-9. The Red Devils have beaten Reitz four times in a row.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 14, 2020 — Jeffersonville 70, at Reitz 69 (OT).
• News & notes: Reitz beat Jeff 124-67 on Feb. 6, 2015, the worst loss the Red Devils have suffered in at least the last 25 years.
• John Harrell prediction: Reitz 62, Jeffersonville 54.
• Sagarin projection: Reitz by 11.
• Outlook: If Jeff follows up a win at New Albany with a win at Reitz, look out. It might signal that the Red Devil team most expected as finally arrived.
• Greg’s pick: Jeffersonville 71, Reitz 61.
SILVER CREEK AT CORYDON CENTRAL
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Corydon Central H.S. (375 Country Club Rd., Corydon)
• Records:
Silver Creek 9-11, 3-3 MSC. The Dragons have won two of their last three games but have lost three of their last five.
Corydon Central 14-6, 5-2 MSC. The Panthers have won eight in a row and 12 of their last 13.
• Coaches:
Silver Creek — Brandon Hoffman (210-84 in 12th season at Silver Creek)
Corydon Central — Joseph Hinton (35-32 in third season at Corydon)
• Sagarin Ratings:
Silver Creek — No. 157, No. 44 Class 3A
Corydon Central — No. 110, No. 28 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Silver Creek — Won at Austin 84-47 (Feb. 15)
Corydon Central — Defeated Christian Academy 62-38 (Feb. 15)
• Last 20 years: Silver Creek 17-9. The Dragons have won 12 straight in the series.
• Most recent meeting: March 2, 2021 — Silver Creek 77, Corydon Central 42 (Class 3A Charlestown Sectional first round)
• John Harrell prediction: Corydon by 8.
• Sagarin projection: Corydon Central 61, Silver Creek 58.
• Outlook: Corydon’s at home and should win, but would anyone be shocked if the Dragons started playing their best basketball right about now?
• Greg’s pick: Corydon Central 70, Silver Creek 66.
SOUTH CENTRAL 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:
South Central 7-12, 2-2 SAC. The Rebels have lost three of their last four games.
New Washington 5-14, 1-3 SAC. The Mustangs have lost three in a row.
• Coaches:
South Central — Greg Robinson (180-180 in 16th season at South Central, 202-243 in 20th season overall)
New Washington — Kyle Brown (14-29 in second season at New Wash)
• Sagarin Ratings:
South Central — No. 310, No. 55 Class A
New Washington — No. 343, No. 64 Class A
• Most recent game:
South Central — Lost at Charlestown 58-52 (Feb. 15)
New Washington — Lost to Henryville 53-47 (Feb. 15)
• Last 20 years: South Central 14-9. New Wash has won their last two games against the Rebels.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 19, 2021 — New Washington 58, at South Central 55.
• News & notes: South Central will likely finish in third place in the SAC (behind champion Borden and runner-up Henryville) with a win. New Wash would finish in a 3-way tie with South Central (and probably Lanesville) if it wins.
• John Harrell prediction: South Central 53, New Washington 51.
• Sagarin projection: South Central by 1.
• Outlook: This is both team’s chance to show they belong in the sectional contender conversation next week.
• Greg’s pick: South Central 52, New Washington 50.
CHARLESTOWN AT SALEM
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Brooks Memorial Gymnasium, Salem H.S. (700 N. Harrison St., Salem)
• Records:
Charlestown 7-13, 1-6 MSC. The Pirates have won two straight games.
Salem 4-13, 0-5 MSC. The Lions have lost six consecutive.
• Coaches:
Charlestown — Matt Lynch (7-13 in first season at Charlestown, 76-63 in sixth season overall)
Salem — Duane Malloy (4-13 in first season at Salem)
• Sagarin Ratings:
Charlestown — No. 287, No. 80 Class 3A
Salem — No. 340, No. 92 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Charlestown — Defeated South Central 58-52 (Feb. 15)
Salem — Lost to Scottsburg 80-47 (Feb. 12)
• Last 20 years: 12-12.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 19, 2021 — At Charlestown 81, Salem 67.
• John Harrell prediction: Charlestown 58, Salem 51.
• Sagarin projection: Charlestown by 4.
• Outlook: If the Pirates could win their last two games of the regular season, both on the road, they’d go into the playoffs with an awful lot of momentum.
• Greg’s pick: Charlestown 59, Salem 49.
BORDEN AT CLARKSVILLE
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Clarksville H.S. Main Gymnasium (800 Dr. Dot Lewis Drive, Clarksville)
• Records:
Borden 13-5. The Braves have won four games in a row.
Clarksville 5-14. The Generals have lost eight of their last nine.
• Coaches:
Borden — Doc Nash (217-154 in 16th season at Borden)
Clarksville Kyle Hankins (5-14 in first season at Clarksville)
• Sagarin Ratings:
Borden — No. 293, No. 29 Class A
Clarksville — No. 319, No. 78 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
Borden — Defeated Crawford County 57-43 (Feb. 15)
Clarksville — Lost at North Harrison 73-42 (Feb. 15)
• Last 20 years: Clarksville 13-7. The Generals have won six in a row over Borden.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 19, 2021 — Clarksville 53, at Borden 51.
• John Harrell prediction: Borden 59-50.
• Sagarin projection: Borden by 13.
• Outlook: All season, all Borden has won is win these types of 50/50 games.
• Greg’s pick: Borden 54, Clarksville 49.
HENRYVILLE AT WEST WASHINGTON
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Tower Gymnasium, West Washington H.S. (8028 W. Batt Rd., Campbellsburg)
• Records:
Henryville 7-12. The Hornets have three straight wins.
West Washington 6-12. The Senators have lost three of their last five.
• Coaches:
Henryville — Jared Hill (98-88 in eighth season at Henryville)
West Washington — Clayton Sullivan (45-48 in fourth season at West Washington)
• Sagarin Ratings:
Henryville — No. 282, No. 65 Class 2A
West Washington — No. 316, No. 58 Class A
• Most recent game:
Henryville — Won at New Washington 53-47 (Feb. 15)
West Washington — Lost at Orleans 40-14 (Feb. 15)
• Last 20 years: West Washington 12-7. The Senators have won three straight over Henryville.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 19, 2021 — West Washington 73, at Henryville 49.
• John Harrell prediction: Henryville 51, West Washington 47.
• Sagarin projection: Henryville by 1.
• Outlook: Love the way the Hornets are playing late in the season. Like their chances of getting this win, even on the road.
• Greg’s pick: Henryville 56, West Washington 55.
TRINITY LUTHERAN AT ROCK CREEK
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Rock Creek Academy/Restoration Christian Church (8000 Diefenbach Ln., Sellersburg)
• Records:
Trinity Lutheran 8-12. The Cougars have lost their last two games.
Rock Creek 9-8. The Lions have won two of their last three and four of their last six.
• Coaches:
Trinity Lutheran — Brad Dickey (8-12 in first season at Trinity, 243-162 in 17th season overall)
Rock Creek — Chris Brown (357-289 in 26th season at Rock Creek)
• Sagarin Ratings:
Trinity Lutheran — No. 322, No. 59 Class A
Rock Creek — No. 194, No. 21 Class A
• Most recent game:
Trinity Lutheran — Lost to Edinburgh 54-44 (Feb. 15)
Rock Creek — Lost to Eastern 48-45 (Feb. 15)
• Last 20 years: Trinity Lutheran 5-3.
• Most recent meeting: Nov. 28, 2020 — Rock Creek 70, Trinity Lutheran 58.
• John Harrell prediction: Rock Creek 61, Trinity Lutheran 42.
• Sagarin projection: Rock Creek by 21.
• Outlook: This is an important one for Rock Creek as the sectional approaches.
• Greg’s pick: Rock Creek 70, Trinity Lutheran 55.
AUSTIN AT SEYMOUR
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Lloyd E. Scott Gymnasium, Seymour H.S. (1350 W. Second St., Seymour)
• Records:
Austin 4-13. The Eagles have lost four consecutive games.
Seymour 12-6. The Owls have won three of their last four.
• Coaches:
Austin — Randy Edwards (39-75 in fifth season at Austin)
Seymour — Kirk Manns (30-33 in third season at Seymour)
• Sagarin Ratings:
Austin — No. 312, No. 76 Class 2A
Seymour — No. 41, No. 31 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
Austin — Lost to Silver Creek 84-47 (Feb. 15)
Seymour — Defeated Madison 63-26 (Feb. 16)
• Last 20 years: Seymour 11-4.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 19, 2021 — Seymour 69, at Austin 40.
• John Harrell prediction: Seymour 74, Austin 37.
• Sagarin projection: Seymour by 36.
• Outlook: This is the beat Seymour team in years.
• Greg’s pick: Seymour 69, Asutin 42.
LANESVILLE AT CROTHERSVILLE
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Crothersville H.S. (109 S. Preston St., Crothersville)
• Records:
Lanesville 5-15, 1-3 SAC. The Eagles have lost three of their last four games.
Crothersville 3-16, 0-3 SAC. The Tigers have lost fie of their last six.
• Coaches:
Lanesville — Mikel Miller (292-224 in 22nd season at Lanesville)
Crothersville — Bryant Layman (3-16 in first season at Crothersville)
• Sagarin Ratings:
Lanesville — No. 308, No. 53 Class A
Crothersville — No. 392, No. 92 Class A
• Most recent game:
Lanesville — Won at New Washington 38-34 (Feb. 11)
Crothersville — Won at Medora 48-42 (Feb. 14)
• Last 20 years: Lanesville 18-2. The Eagles have won nine consecutive games in the series.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 19, 2021 — At Lanesville 60, Crothersville 46.
• John Harrell prediction: Lanesville 68, Crothersville 39.
• Sagarin projection: Lanesville by 22.
• Outlook: The Eagles have a poor record but there’s not a team in the sectional they can’t be on any given night.
• Greg’s pick: Lanesville 66, Crothersville 34.
