By GREG MENGELT
New Washington coach Kirsti Holloway knows what her team is up against in Saturday’s Hoosier Hills Hoops Game of the Day.
Holloway’s Mustangs take on Class A No. 3 Lanesville, who comes into Saturday’s Southern Athletic Conference showdown 12-1, on an 8-game winning streak and, of course, as the 3-time defending sectional champions.
It wouldn’t be a surprise, at all, if Lanesville is hoisting the state championship trophy at the end of the season.
So Holloway says all New Wash can do is take care of itself.
“I try to encourage my players to control the controllable when it comes to preparation, attitude and effort, regardless of who the opponent is we are facing,” she siad. “I believe that if we overlook anyone, we can be beaten by anyone whether it be Lanesville or someone else and that’s why we play the game. It is my desire every time I interact with my team to give them the skills, tools and support necessary to be playing at their very best when their very best is required.”
New Wash has had an up-and-down season to reach 5-7. The Mustangs lost their SAC opener at Borden 56-52 on Nov. 30. A win today would put New Wash back in the conference race.
“The main goal we have in mind with the schedule lay out is for our team to be prepared physically and mentally when February rolls around,” Holloway said. “I believe we do a good job of mixing various class level competitive teams from the MSC and other Southern Indiana conferences. My hope is that we have the right mental approach going into every contest, regardless of who it is and dictate our own level of play with consistency and a competitive mindset.
Sophomore Kaidin James leads New Wash at 15 points, 6 rebounds and 5 steals per game. Grace Ellison comes in at 11 points a game and Macy Fields leads the team at 5 assists per game. Holloway says senior Emma DeCamp has been the stabilizing player for the Mustangs.
“She does the gritty work — boxing out, taking charges, setting solid screens to open her teammates — that doesn’t show up on most stat sheets,” Holloway said. “I am thankful I can count on her consistency every game.”
TODAY’S GAMES
SATURDAY
GAME OF THE DAY
LANESVILLE (12-1, 2-0 SAC) AT NEW WASHINGTON (5-7, 0-1)
• Time: 1:30 p.m.
• Location: James Matthews Gymnasium (a.k.a. The Jim), New Washington H.S. (226 N. Highway 62, New Washington)
• Coaches:
Lanesville — Angie Hinton (74-16 in fourth season at Lanesville, 247-89 in 15th season overall)
New Washington — Kiristi Holloway (60-90 in seventh season at New Washington)
• Rankings:
Lanesville — No. 3 AP (Class A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Lanesville — No. 65, No. 2 Class A
New Washington — No. 242, No. 33 Class A
• Most recent game:
Lanesville — Defeated Crawford County 57-24 (Dec. 16)
New Washington — Lost at Eastern 56-28 (Dec. 16)
• Last 20 years: New Washington 14-12. Lanesville has won 6 in a row vs. the Mustangs.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 6 — Lanesville 72, New Washington 30 (Class A New Washington Sectional championship, Feb. 6)
• News & notes: A win today wouldn’t clinch anything for the Eagles, but with the only SAC games left for the Eagles against South Central (1-6, 1-1 SAC) on Jan. 4 and Crothersville (2-7, 0-1) on Jan. 8, this would essentially clinch another league title for Lanesville. Both games were in the final three weeks of the season. … The Eagles beat New Wash twice last season by a combined score of 125-56. … Freshman Hadley Crosier (14), junior Linzie Wernert (13) and junior Morgan Sonner (10) combined for 37 of the Eagles’ 57 points in their 33-point win over Crawford County on Dec. 16.
• John Harrell prediction: Lanesville 56, New Washington 30.
• Sagarin projection: Lanesville by 24.
• Outlook: Right now, Lanesville is just too good for the rest of its conference, even for a decent team like the Mustangs.
• Greg’s pick: Lanesville 68, New Washington 37.
SALEM (6-4) AT FLOYD CENTRAL (3-8)
• Time: 1:30 p.m.
• Location: Joe Hinton Court, Floyd Central H.S. (6575 Old Vincennes Rd., Floyds Knobs)
• Coaches:
Salem — Jerry Hickey (143-69 in ninth season at Salem)
Floyd Central — Randy Gianfagna (23-55 in fourth season at Floyd)
• Rankings:
Salem — No. 14 AP (Class 3A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Salem — No. 56, No. 11 Class 3A
Floyd Central — No. 160, No. 63 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
Salem — Lost at North Harrison 55-54, OT (Dec. 16)
Floyd Central — Lost at Seymour 49-40 (Dec. 16)
• Last 20 years: 4-4. Salem has won 4 in a row over Floyd.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 19, 2020 — At Salem 65, Floyd Central 32.
• News & notes: Salem currently has as many losses this year as in any season since going 22-5 in 2017-18. The Lions’ losses have come against four teams with a combined 36-14 record this season. … Abigail Ratts (16), Macie Tomlinson (16) and Natalie Noel (13) scored 45 of the Lions’ 54 points in their overtime loss at North Harrison on Dec. 16. … The Highlanders are currently riding a 4-game losing streak with game against Salem and at North Harrison (9-4) in the next four days.
• John Harrell prediction: Salem 52, Floyd Central 40.
• Sagarin projection: Salem by 14.
• Outlook: Salem is one of the better 4-loss teams in the state. The Lions will prove that Saturday afternoon.
• Greg’s pick: Salem 59, Floyd Central 43.
SILVER CREEK (12-1, 4-0 MSC) AT BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL (4-7, 2-3)
• Time: 1:30 p.m.
• Location: Brownstown Central H.S. (500 N. Elm St., Brownstown)
• Coaches:
Silver Creek — Scott Schoen (167-109 in 12th season at Silver Creek)
Brownstown — Brandon Allman (49-18 in third season at Brownstown)
• Rankings:
Silver Creek — No. 9 IBCA (single class); No. 2 AP (Class 3A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Silver Creek — No. 26, No. 6 Class 3A
Brownstown — No. 155, No. 50 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Silver Creek — Lost at Bedford North Lawrence 49-42 (Dec. 16)
Brownstown — Won at Austin 44-28 (Dec. 11)
• Last 20 years: Brownstown 15-5. Silver Creek has won the last 2 meetings against the Braves.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 19, 2020 — At Silver Creek 67, Brownstown 38.
• News & notes: Silver Creek had its state-longest 22-game winning streak snapped Friday with a 7-point loss at Class 4A No. 4 Bedford North Lawrence. … The Dragons will face host Hammond Morton (3-10) at 2 p.m. and Hammond Noll (2-5) at 6 p.m. on Dec. 28 in the Hoops 4 Pink Invitational at Noll. Silver Creek’s final game in the tournament is Dec. 29 against Detroit Edison (1-1), Gary West (7-2) or Indianapolis HomeSchool in the final round. The fifth-place game is scheduled for 3 p.m., the third-place game at 5 p.m. and the championship game at 7 p.m. on Dec. 29.
• John Harrell prediction: Silver Creek 62, Brownstown 39.
• Sagarin projection: Silver Creek by 21.
• Outlook: A road afternoon game following a road night game is a bad recipe for most teams. The Dragons will handle it like champions.
• Greg’s pick: Silver Creek 66, Brownstown 40.
HENRYVILLE (2-7, 0-1 SAC) AT SOUTH CENTRAL (1-6, 1-0)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: South Central H.S. Main Gym (6675 E. Hwy. 11 S.E., Elizabeth)
• Coaches:
Henryville — Tuesday Guernsey (17-34 in third season at Henryville)
South Central — Lynne Thomas (4-40 in third season at South Central)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Henryville — No. 340, No. 86 Class 2A
South Central — No. 376, No. 83 Class A
• Most recent game:
Henryville — Lost to West Washington 32-22 (Dec. 16)
South Central — Defeated Crothersville 51-41 (Dec. 9)
• Last 20 years: South Central 22-6. Henryville has won 6 of the last 9 in the series.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 21, 2019 — Henryville 55, at South. Central 37.
• News & notes: Henryville’s game at Christian Academy, which was scheduled for Friday night, was postponed. No makeup date has been announced. … The Rebels and Hornets did not play last season. … The Hornets are 0-5 away from home this season. South Central is 1-4 at home.
• John Harrell prediction: Henryville 47, South Central 32.
• Sagarin projection: Henryville by 10.
• Outlook: Henryville should pull away for its third win of the season.
• Greg’s pick: Henryville 38, South Central 27.
SOUTHWESTERN (3-9) AT PROVIDENCE (2-10)
• Time: 1 p.m. (Varsity only)
• Location: Larkin Center, Our Lady of Providence (707 Providence Way, Clarksville)
• Coaches:
Southwestern — Brian Crank (3-9 in first season at Southwestern)
Providence — Brad Burden (161-158 in 14th season at Providence)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Southwestern — No. 317, No. 80 Class 2A
Providence — No. 314, No. 78 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
Southwestern — Lost to Trinity Lutheran 69-39 (Dec. 17)
Providence — Lost to New Albany 40-21 (Dec. 16)
• Last 20 years: Southwestern 2-1. The Rebels have won the last 2 meetings.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 9 — At Southwestern 60, Providence 55 (OT).
• News & notes: Providence has scored 111 points (28.8 points per game) during its 4-game losing streak. … The Rebels are in a 3-game losing streak that includes defeats at New Washington by a point and at Borden in overtime. … Sophomore Ashely Fulton scored a team-best 20 points and junior Parker Mefford and junior Emma Long scored 8 apiece in the Rebels’ 30-point loss to Class A No. 6 Trinity Lutheran (7-2) on Dec. 17.
• John Harrell prediction: Providence 43, Southwestern 37.
• Sagarin projection: Providence by 5.
• Outlook: We’re taking Providence in a game that should be very close.
• Greg’s pick: Providence 36, Southwestern 35.
BORDEN (7-4) AT MILAN (3-9)
• Time: 12:30 p.m.
• Location: Milan H.S. (609 N. Warpath Dr., Milan)
• Coaches:
Borden — Matt Vick (41-60 in fifth season at Borden)
Milan — Karisa Voss (3-9 in first season at Milan)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Borden — No. 310, No. 56 Class A
Milan — No. 354, No. 90 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
Borden — Lost at Shoals 52-40 (Dec. 16)
Milan — Defeated Rising Sun 50-29 (Dec. 16)
• Last 20 years: Borden 2-1. The Braves have beaten Milan the last two years.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 29, 2020 — At Borden 36, Milan 30.
• John Harrell prediction: Borden 45, Milan 38.
• Sagarin projection: Borden by 7.
• Outlook: After a tough loss Thursday, the Braves should bounce back for their eighth win of the season.
• Greg’s pick: Borden 50, Milan 39.
