By GREG MENGELT
After a couple easy early wins and a surprisingly comfortable win over Charlestown in previous weeks, Silver Creek’s schedule suddenly got very difficult last week.
All the Dragons (6-0) have done since Nov. 17 is beat Charlestown (4-2) and previously-unbeaten Corydon Central (7-1) in Mid-Southern Conference games and take down the area’s 4A giants Jeffersonville (5-2) and New Albany (4-3).
Now the Dragons go to Ramsey to face North Harrison in the Hoosier Hills Hoops Game of the Night. It is the final game in one of the most challenging stretches in a brutally tough Silver Creek schedule. Then nine days off before the big games begin again.
After beating Corydon, the Dragons have won 10 straight Mid-Southern Conference games and 16 consecutive contests overall. North Harrison is off to a strong start at 4-2 and has won its last two games, including a big 64-60 MSC road win at Scottsburg on Saturday.
“Again, another conference game and the end of five games in a 7-day stretch,” Silver Creek coach Scott Schoen said.
The North Harrison senior duo of Ali Saunders and Diana Burgher have scored 147 of the Lady Cats’ 233 points the season. Saunders is averaging a team-best 16.6 points, while Burgher puts up 12.8 points per night. Saunders is also leading the team in assists (3.8 per game) and steals (4.2) and Burgher leads in rebounds at 6.2 per contest.
“North Harrison has two outstanding basketball players in Ali Saunders and Diana Burgher,” Schoen said. “Both will have an opportunity to play at the next level and be successful. We will need to be sure that Saunders does not carve us up with her dribbling and we contest Diana Burgher.”
Last November, Silver Creek ended a 10-game losing streak against the Lady Cats, but the Dragons have lost five in a row at North Harrison. Their last win in Ramsey was on Nov. 23, 2011.
“Should be a fun game,” Schoen said. “Last time we went to North Harrison we got our butt handed to us, so we will need to be ready to play.”
TODAY’S GAMES | WEDNESDAY, NOV. 24
GAME OF THE NIGHT
SILVER CREEK (6-0, 2-0 MSC) AT NORTH HARRISON (4-2, 1-1)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: North Harrison High School, Ramsey.
• Coaches:
Silver Creek — Scott Schoen (161-108 in 12th season at Silver Creek and overall).
North Harrison — Jamie Kolkmeier (16-8 in second season at North Harrison and overall).
• Rankings:
Silver Creek — No. 12 IBCA (single class); No. 3 ICGSA (Class 3A).
• Sagarin ratings (computer-based rankings):
Silver Creek — No. 28 overall, No. 7 Class 3A.
North Harrison — No. 106 overall, No. 28 Class 3A.
• Most recent game:
Silver Creek — Defeated Corydon Central 69-40 (Nov. 22).
North Harrison — Won at Scottsburg 64-60 (Nov. 20).
• Last 20 years: North Harrison 17-8. The Lady Cats have won 10 of the last 11 matchups with Silver Creek.
• Most recent meeting: Nov. 25, 2020 — At Silver Creek 71, North Harrison 32.
• News and notes: Silver Creek’s Kynidi Mason-Striverson reached the career 1,000-point milestone in Monday’s win over Corydon. She had 11 points. … With a win tonight, Silver Creek will have three 7-0 starts under Schoen. … Five Dragons scored in double figures in Monday’s win over previously-unbeaten Corydon. Lacey Tingle led Creek with 18 points and Emme Rooney finished with 17. … After alternating wins and losses through their first five games, the Lady Cats started their first streak of any kind with Saturday’s victory at Scottsburg.
• Outlook: Silver Creek keeps rolling along.
• JohnHarrell.net prediction: Silver Creek 59, North Harrison 38.
• Sagarin projection: Silver Creek by 12.
• Greg’s pick: Silver Creek 58, North Harrison 37.
EASTERN (3-2) AT FLOYD CENTRAL (2-3)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Joe Hinton Court, Floyd Central High School, Floyds Knobs.
• Coaches:
Eastern — Michael McBride (222-117 in 15th season at Eastern and overall).
Floyd Central — Randy Gianfagna (22-50 in fourth season at Floyd Central and overall).
• Rankings:
Eastern — No. 11 ICGSA (Class 2A).
• Sagarin ratings (computer-based rankings):
Eastern — No. 111 overall, No. 19 Class 2A.
Floyd Central — No. 121 overall, No. 57 Class 4A.
• Most recent game:
Eastern — Lost at Salem 51-33 (Nov. 19).
Floyd Central — Lost at Scottsburg 41-23 (Nov. 18).
• Last 20 years: First meeting.
• Outlook: This one really could go either way, but we’re going with Eastern by a few points on the road.
• JohnHarrell.net prediction: Floyd Central 41, Eastern 38.
• Sagarin projection: Floyd Central by 3.
• Greg’s pick: Eastern 47, Floyd Central 45.
