By GREG MENGELT
Everyone expected Salem to be here. The Lions have been one of the best 3A teams in the state for the better part of a half-decade. They’re loaded with experienced talent. Few doubted Salem (6-2) would play a huge role in the Mid-Southern Conference race and the Class 3A landscape throughout the 2021-22 season.
Most thought Corydon Central and junior star Ava Weber to make strides this season, but few probably expected the Panthers to be 10-1 and a contender in the MSC race and a serious threat to the eighth-ranked Lions in Friday’s Hoosier Hills Hoops Game of the Night.
“This is a big game against a quality conference and potential sectional opponent,” Salem ninth-year head coach Jerry Hickey said. “Corydon is off to a great start this season and has one of the best players in the conference is Ava Weber. It’s probably going to take one loss or fewer to win our tough conference, so this is an important matchup for both teams.”
Weber hasn’t disappointed this season. She’s averaging 19.9 points, 8 rebounds, 3.4 steals and 2.7 points. She’s simply been one of Southern Indiana’s top players.
Weber has also gotten plenty of help from a solid core of teammates.
“Our girls continue to play hard and get better each day,” second-year Corydon head coach Josh Conrad said. “We continue to get better defensively but still have areas to improve. Offensively, it has been great to see several players contributing in different games.”
Led by five talented, experienced seniors, Salem has picked up where it has left off the past four years … all 20-plus win seasons, by the way. (This year will be seven straight winning seasons under Hickey.) The Lions have losses against Jennings County and Brownsburg — both very good 4A programs — but they’ve outscored their MSC opponents 112-61 so far. That includes a 61-28 thrashing of Brownstown Central on Tuesday.
“Salem is a very good basketball team with very experienced players,’ Conrad said. “They have played in big time basketball games. They do great job on both ends of the court and will be another strong test for us and our ability to compete at a high level.”
GAME OF THE NIGHT
SALEM (6-2, 2-0) AT CORYDON CENTRAL (10-1, 3-1)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Corydon Central H.S. (375 Country Club Rd., Corydon)
• Coaches:
Salem — Jerry Hickey (143-67 in ninth season at Salem)
Corydon Central — Josh Conrad (20-12 in second season at Corydon Central, 139-105 in 11th season overall)
• Rankings:
Salem — No. 8 AP (Class 3A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Salem — No. 61, No. 13 Class 3A
Corydon Central — No. 56, No. 12 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Salem — Defeated Brownstown Central 61-28 (Dec. 7)
Corydon Central — Won at Austin 58-37 (Dec. 8)
• Last 20 years: Corydon Central 16-9. Salem has won the last 6 in the series.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 2 — Salem 77, Corydon Central 63 (Class 3A Madison Sectional first round)
• News & notes: Salem beat Corydon twice last year by a combined 47 points. However, the Panthers turned a 33-point loss to the Lions on Dec. 11 into a 14-point loss in the opening round of the sectional on Feb. 2. … Salem senior Abigail Ratts scored 22 points and was perfect from the field in the Lions’ 61-28 victory over Brownstown Central on Tuesday. Kaylea Klinglesmith added 14 points for Salem. … The Panthers are 10-1. Last year, they went 10-11 and were 6-5 through 11 games. Last year, Corydon went 4-4 in conference play. This year, it is 3-1 heading into Friday’s game against Salem.
• John Harrell prediction: Salem 51, Corydon Central 48.
• Sagarin projection: Corydon Central by 5.
• Outlook: Salem has dominated the Panthers over the past few years. That probably won’t be the case this year, but we believe the Lions are probably still the better team … even on the road. (We think.)
• Greg’s pick: Salem 67, Corydon Central 60.
