By GREG MENGELT

The Mid-Southern Conference has been one of the best league’s in Indiana this year. Not just locally and not just for its size.

One of the best. Period.

We’re a bit biased, but it’s pretty undeniable. It’s not just the top teams. Obviously, Silver Creek (7-0) and Salem (4-2) are potential state title threats and everyone knows that. It’s the next level, which includes five — and possibly six — of the conference’s nine teams where things get interesting.

Tonight, two of those teams meet in an MSC showdown. Scottsburg comes into Thursday’s Hoosier Hills Hoops Game of the Night at 5-2. Corydon is 8-1, its best start in 16 years.

The MSC has the fourth-best record in the state at 30-11 overall.

“The game is important. Not only because it’s our next game, but because it’s a conference game,” Scottsburg second-year coach Carrie Daniels said. “I think it’s fair to say that the Mid-Southern Conference is one of the toughest in the state. It’s a very competitive conference right now with quite a few teams that have the ability to compete for those top few spots.”

Corydon is led by junior Ava Weber, who is averaging 20.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.3 steals and 2.4 assists. However, the Panthers are thriving because of improved guard play.

Junior Bailey Orme, senior Chloe Cannon, freshman Josie Vaughn and junior Bre Edwards have helped take the Panthers to another level and accomplish the team’s hot start. Orme is averaging 10.7 points and Vaughn is at 8.8 through nine games. The group averages 9 steals per game.

“Our guard play with Bailey, Chloe, Josie, and Bre has continued to get better each game,” Conrad said. “When they are aggressive, it adds another element to our team.”

“They’re coming in with a lot of confidence, playing very well,” Daniels said of the Panthers. “They’re just solid from top to bottom. They play extremely hard, they anticipate well and they’ve got some young kids who have come in, and watching them on the court, do not play like freshmen. So just a well rounded team that we’re going to have to be ready, right from the tip, to play and defend and compete.”

Scottsburg comes in with five wins in their last six games. The lone defeat was a 64-60 loss to North Harrison two weeks ago.

“I think our team unity is good,” Daniels said. “They truly get along and want to become a better team. It’s not always perfect, we still make mistakes and they’re giving good effort and they’re going out there and competing and that makes a world of difference. … We’ve played decent. So much to still work on and get better at.”

The Warriorettes doesn’t have a standout like Weber, but they three players who average double figures and another at 9.9 per contest.

“Scottsburg is a team that has several players who can fill up the stat sheet and they do a good job defensively forcing teams into tough shots,” Conrad said.

GAME OF THE NIGHT
CORYDON CENTRAL (8-1, 1-1 MSC) AT SCOTTSBURG (5-2, 1-1)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Charles E. Meyer Gymnasium, Scottsburg.
• Coaches:
Corydon Central — Josh Conrad (18-12 in second season at Corydon, 137-105 in 11th season overall).
Scottsburg — Carrie Daniels (13-17 in second season at Scottsburg, 116-73 in seventh season overall).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Corydon Central — No. 72, No. 20 Class 3A. 72
Scottsburg — No. 97, No. 24 Class 3A.
• Most recent game:
Corydon Central — Defeated Vincennes 53-40 (Nov. 27).
Scottsburg — Defeated Brownstown Central 60-53 (Nov. 26).
• Last 20 years: Scottsburg 12-10. The Warriorettes have won seven of the last eight vs. Corydon.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 19, 2020 — At Corydon Central 62, Scottsburg 57.
• John Harrell prediction: Corydon Central 50, Scottsburg 43.
• Sagarin projection: Corydon Central by 1.
• Outlook: Even on the road, Corydon is probably the better team … but it’s pretty close.
• Greg’s pick: Corydon Central 61, Scottsburg 53.

NORTH HARRISON (6-3) AT NEW ALBANY (4-4)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Doghouse, New Albany H.S.
• Coaches:
North Harrison — Jamie Kolkmeier (18-9 in second season at North Harrison).
New Albany — Shelby Gliebe (10-20 in second season at New Albany, 14-39 in third season overall).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
North Harrison — No. 110, No. 28 Class 3A.
New Albany — No. 123, No. 60 Class 4A.
• Most recent game:
North Harrison — Won at Jasper 45-25 (Nov. 30).
New Albany — Lost to Bloomington North 64-61 (Nov. 23).
• Last 20 years: North Harrison 11-9. The Lady Cats have won seven of the last eight in the series.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 3, 2020 — At North Harrison 53, New Albany 51.
• John Harrell prediction: New Albany 49, North Harrison 47.
• Sagarin projection: New Albany by 2.
• Outlook: North Harrison is playing well and is a couple baskets from being 7-1.
• Greg’s pick: North Harrison 51, New Albany 48.

PROVIDENCE (1-5) AT EASTERN (4-2)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Eastern H.S., Pekin.
• Coaches:
Providence — Brad Burden (160-153 in 14th season at Providence).
Eastern — Michael McBride (223-117 in 15th season at Eastern).
• Rankings:
Eastern — No. 9 ICGSA (Class 2A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Providence — No. 343, No. 87 Class 2A. 29
Eastern — No. 115, No. 21 Class 2A.
• Most recent game:
Providence — Won at Christian Academy 48-22 (Nov. 30).
Eastern — Won at Floyd Central 41-33 (Nov. 24).
• Last 20 years: Eastern 12-6. The Musketeers have beaten Providence four straight times.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 19 — Eastern 41, at Providence 25.
• John Harrell prediction: Eastern 58, Providence 17.
• Sagarin projection: Eastern by 40.
• Outlook: Eastern has taken control of a series that went back and forth winning the local 2A sectional championships with both making deep runs, including Eastern’s state championship in 2017.
• Greg’s pick: Eastern 58, Providence 28.

ROCK CREEK (5-2) AT NEW WASHINGTON (3-4)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: James Matthews Gymnasium (a.k.a. The Jim), New Washington H.S.
• Coaches:
Rock Creek — Sara Nord (7-11 in second season at Rock Creek).
New Washington — Kirsti Holloway (58-87 in seventh season at New Wash).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Rock Creek — No. 307, No. 55 Class A.
New Washington — No. 197, No. 24 Class A.
• Most recent game:
Rock Creek — Defeated Louisville Collegiate 39-36 (Nov. 30).
New Washington — Lost at Borden 56-52 (Nov. 30).
• Last 20 years: New Washington 20-0.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 3, 2020 — New Washington 63, Rock Creek 31.
• News & notes: Rock Creek is currently 5-2 — having won five of its last six games — after 3 wins the last two seasons combined. … New Wash has been 3-4 through 7 games five years in a row.
• John Harrell prediction: New Washington 56, Rock Creek 37.
• Sagarin projection: New Washington by 23.
• Outlook: What Rock Creek has done so far is impressive. If the Lions are able to beat New Wash, that would be a big statement.
• Greg’s pick: New Washington 47, Rock Creek 31.

HENRYVILLE (2-3, 0-0 SAC) AT LANESVILLE (8-1, 0-0)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Lanesville H.S.
• Coaches:
Henryville — Tuesday Guernsey (17-30 in third season at Henryville).
Lanesville — Angie Hinton (70-16 in fourth season at Lanesville, 243-89 in 15th season overall).
• Rankings:
Lanesville — No. 1 ICGSA (Class A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Henryville — No. 312, No. 79 Class 2A.
Lanesville — No. 75, No. 2 Class A.
• Most recent game:
Henryville — Lost at Switzerland County 52-21 (Nov. 13).
Lanesville — Defeated Perry Central 60-21 (Nov. 27).
• Last 20 years: Lanesville 18-13. The Eagles have won the last three against Henryville.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 3, 2020 — Lanesville 69, at Henryville 11.
• News & notes: This is the 2021-22 SAC debut for both teams.
• John Harrell prediction: Lanesville 60, Henryville 14.
• Sagarin projection: Lanesville by 41.
• Outlook: Since losing its only game — 44-34 to Corydon — Lanesville has outscored its four opponents 239-52. That’s eye-opening.
• Greg’s pick: Lanesville 61, Henryville 25.

SALEM (4-2) AT PAOLI (3-3)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Paoli H.S.
• Coaches:
Salem — Jerry Hickey (141-67 in ninth season at Salem).
Paoli — Donavan Crews (13-9 in second season at Paoli).
• Rankings:
Salem — No. 9 ICGSA (Class 3A), received votes IBCA (single class).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Salem — No. 57, No. 10 Class 3A.
Paoli — No. 181, No. 38 Class 2A.
• Most recent game:
Salem — Lost at Brownsburg 56-50 (Nov. 27).
Paoli — Defeated Shoals 57-25 (Nov. 23).
• Last 20 years: Paoli 11-7. Salem has won the last 5 games against the Rams.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 5, 2019 — Salem 79, at Paoli 19.
• News & notes: The Lions and Rams did not play each other last season.
• John Harrell prediction: Salem 59, Paoli 40.
• Sagarin projection: Salem by 16.
• Outlook: Paoli isn’t bad but isn’t on the same level as the Lions.
• Greg’s pick: Salem 63, Paoli 42.

CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (2-7) AT PORTLAND CHRISTIAN (KY.) (1-0)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Portland Christian School, Louisville.
• Coaches:
CAI — Carson Casey (10-42 in third season at CAI).
Portland Christian — Jason Bragg (no record information).
• Most recent game:
CAI — Lost to Providence 48-22 (Nov. 30).
Portland Christian — Defeated Waggener 56-17 (Nov. 30).
• Last 20 years: Portland Christian 1-0.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 5 — Portland Christian 45, at CAI 19.
• News & notes: After an 0-5 start, CAI has won in two of its last four outings. … Portland Christian went 15-9 last season, including 4-4 in Kentucky Region 7 play.
• Outlook: The Eagles look like they’re going to be really good this season.
• Greg’s pick: Portland Christian 50, Christian Academy 26.

MITCHELL (5-3) AT WEST WASHINGTON (5-2)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Tower Gymnasium, West Washington H.S., Campbellsburg.
• Coaches:
Mitchell — Tim Haworth (16-17 in second season at Mitchell).
West Washington — Matthew Myers (13-17 in second season at West Washington).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Mitchell — No. 167, No. 33 Class 2A.
West Washington — No. 280, No. 44 Class A.
• Most recent game:
Mitchell — Won at Brown County 57-41 (Nov. 30).
West Washington — Defeated Crothersville 52-26 (Nov. 23).
• Last 20 years: Mitchell 19-1. The Bluejackets have beaten West Washington three straight times they’ve met.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 3, 2020 — At Mitchell 44, West Washington 39.
• John Harrell prediction: Mitchell 49, West Washignton 30.
• Sagarin projection: Mitchell by 14.
• Outlook: The Bluejackets should have their best season since going 15-6 in 2012-13.
• Greg’s pick: Mitchell 47, West Washington 39.