By GREG MENGELT

It’s hard to have too impressive of a week when you’re the defending state champions. Wins are expected.

But the week 6-0 and reigning 3A state champion Silver Creek had last week was remarkable.

The Dragons took down rival Charlestown 54-37 on Tuesday, four days after the Pirates (4-2) beat North Harrison by 25 points. Two nights later, Silver Creek defeated its first of two Hoosier Hills Conference powers, Jeffersonville, 41-37. It was the Red Devils’ first loss of the season after starting 5-0.

That win was followed by a 64-39 triumph over New Albany (4-3) on Saturday. Not included in last week’s accomplishments but still noteworthy is a 69-40 victory over Corydon Central on Monday. The Panthers were 7-0 heading into the big Mid-Southern Conference showdown.

Like most coaches, Silver Creek’s 12th-year head coach Scott Schoen isn’t satisfied.

“The team is playing well as of today,” Schoen said. “But we still have another gear we need to get to. Execution needs to be cleaner and we have to rebound the basketball at a high pace.”

The Dragons now face North Harrison (4-2) on Wednesday as their schedule continues to throw tests at them. Also up soon are Bowling Green (Ky.), Evansville North, Louisville Central, Bedford North Lawrence (6-0) and Hammond Noll’s Hoops 4 Pink Tournament before the New Year.

“We are off to a great start, but we know we have a schedule, conference and sectional that are extremely difficult,” Schoen said.