By GREG MENGELT

We may be beating a dead horse at this point, but this hasn’t been the year Jeffersonville basketball expected.

The defending sectional champion Red Devils were viewed as outside state championship contenders when the season began, but due to circumstances — many of them out of their control — they started the season 2-8 and looked lost at times.

Recently, Jeff (7-1) has started to play better. The last month has included wins over Columbus East, Bedford North Lawrence, New Albany, Rock Creek and Madison. More than that, Jeffersonville head coach Andrew Grantz says he’s seeing signs of the team he expected.

Jeff has won five of its last seven games and blew out Madison 76-33 in its most recent outing Tuesday.

“We’ve believed in this team all year, even as we went through our struggles earlier,” Grantz said. “A lot of teams, the kids would’ve folded and said this just isn’t our year. The fact that every game the last six or seven games, they’ve played hard speak to the commitment of this team. I’m very pleased nobody has quit and the guys have battled.”

Heading into the postseason, the time for excuses is over. Jeff hosts Castle (14-7) on Friday in its regular-season finale. Grantz says he wants to see continued improvement as the Devils approach next Tuesday’s Seymour Sectional opener against BNL (11-11).

“We just want to continue to do things have been doing a better job of and continue to play hard, clean up our rebounding, work on our zone offense, making sure we’re in the right spots. Simple fundamental things,” Grantz said. “We want to continue to simplify the basics but at a quicker pace and a higher level.”

Castle, which has won 11 of its last 13 games after it struggled to a 3-4 start. The Knights have four players who average double-figure scoring, led by junior Weston Aigner’s 19 points per game. Castle — a potential regional opponent for whichever team comes out of the Seymour Sectional — is a perfect opponent for the finale.

“They screen hard and execute,” Grantz said. “Their scoring is spread out. They have a lot of guys who can get to the rim and finish. It will be a good physical test for us as we head into the sectional.”

GAME OF THE NIGHT
CASTLE AT JEFFERSONVILLE
• Time: 8 p.m.
• Location: William S. Johnson Arena, Jeffersonville H.S. (2315 Allison Ln., Jeffersonville)
• Records:
Castle 14-7. The Knights have won two of their last three games.
Jeffersonville 7-10. The Red Devils have won two of their last three games.
• Coaches:
Castle — Brian Gibson (301-148 season at Castle)
Jeffersonville — Andrew Grantz (22-17 in second season at Jeff, 110-59 in seventh season overall)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Castle — No. 83, No. 51 Class 4A
Jeffersonville — No. 88, No. 55 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
Castle — Lost to Evansville North 64-63 (Feb. 18)
Jeffersonville — Defeated Madison 76-33 (Feb. 22)
• Last 20 years: Jeffersonville 10-1. The Red Devils have won three in a row vs. Castle.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 26, 2021 — Jeffersonville 76, Castle 64 (OT).
• John Harrell prediction: Jeff 60, Castle 55.
• Sagarin projection: Jeff by 3.
• Outlook: This is a tough call. I’ll take Jeff at home on Senior Night.
• Greg’s pick: Jeffersonville 69, Castle 65.

NEW ALBANY AT BLOOMINGTON NORTH
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: The Cougar Den, North H.S. (3901 N. Kinser Pike, Bloomington)
• Records:
New Albany 11-10. The Bulldogs have lost two of their last three games.
Bloomington North 18-3. The Cougars are on an 11-game winning streak.
• Coaches:
New Albany — Jim Shannon (440-137 in 24th season at New Albany, 605-276 in 38th season overall)
North — Jason Speer (69-39 in fifth season at North, 184-87 in 12th season overall)
• Rankings:
North — No. 19 IBCA (single class); No. 13 AP (Class 4A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
New Albany — No. 103, No. 63 Class 4A
North — No. 13, No. 13 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
New Albany — Won at Evansville Central 66-46 (Feb. 19)
North — Won at Edgewood 70-41 (Feb. 22)
• Last 20 years: New Albany 13-6. The Bulldogs have won six of their last seven vs. North.
• Most recent meeting: Feb, 26, 2021 — At New Albany 56, North 41.
• John Harrell prediction: North 61, New Albany 47.
• Sagarin projection: North by 19.
• Outlook: North isn’t only a sectional favorite, it’s one of the regional frontrunners.
• Greg’s pick: North 58, New Albany 47.

SEYMOUR AT SILVER CREEK
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Silver Creek H.S. (557 Renz Ave., Sellersburg)
• Records:
Seymour 14-6. The Owls have won three games in a row.
Silver Creek 11. The Dragons are on a 3-game winning streak.
• Coaches:
Seymour — Kirk Manns (32-33 in third season at Seymour)
Silver Creek — Brandon Hoffman (212-84 in 12th season at Creek)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Seymour — No. 45, No. 34 Class 4A
Silver Creek — No. 129, No. 36 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Seymour — Won at Shelbyville 54-18 (Feb. 22)
Silver Creek — Defeated Salem 110-35 (Feb. 22)
• Last 20 years: Silver Creek 11-9. The Dragons have a 7-game winning streak vs. Seymour.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 26, 2021 — Silver Creek 72, at Seymour 56.
• News & notes: Seymour’s 14 wins is its most since it went 15-7 in 2006-07.
• John Harrell prediction: Seymour 58, Silver Creek 51.
• Sagarin projection: Seymour by 6.
• Outlook: If Silver Creek wins this one, the rest of the Salem Sectional will be on notice.
• Greg’s pick: Silver Creek 67, Seymour 65.

CLARKSVILLE AT ROCK CREEK
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Rock Creek Academy/Restoration Christian Church (8000 Diefenbach Ln., Sellersburg)
• Records:
Clarksville 7-14. The Generals have won their last two and three of their last four games.
Rock Creek 12-8. The Lions have won three in a row.
• Coaches:
Clarksville — Kyle Hankins (7-14 in first season at Clarksville)
Rock Creek — Chris Brown (360-289 in 26th season at Rock Creek)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Clarksville — No. 301, No. 71 Class 2A
Rock Creek — No. 204, No. 21 Class A
• Most recent game:
Clarksville — Defeated Henryville 51-46 (Feb. 22)
Rock Creek — Defeated West Washington 63-36 (Feb. 22)
• Last 20 years: Clarksville 13-2. The Generals have won six in a row against Rock Creek.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 26, 2021 — At Clarksville 59, Rock Creek 52.
• John Harrell prediction: Rock Creek 63, Clarksville 48.
• Sagarin projection: Rock Creek by 17.
• Outlook: Both teams are playing really well, but Rock Creek looks like a sectional favorite. Because of a really though schedule, the Lions are way better than their 12-8 record.
• Greg’s pick: Rock Creek 64, Clarksville 54.

BORDEN AT SALEM
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Brooks Memorial Gymnasium, Salem H.S. (700 N. Harrison St., Salem)
• Records:
Borden 14-6. The Braves have won five of their last six games.
Salem 4-16. The Lions have lost nine in a row.
• Coaches:
Borden — Doc Nash (218-155 in 16th season at Borden)
Salem — Duane Malloy (4-16 in first season at Salem)
• Rankings:
Borden — No. 15 AP (Class A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Borden — No. 229, No. 28 Class A
Salem — No. 341, No. 91 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Borden — Defeated Orleans 56-41 (Feb. 19)
Salem — Lost at Silver Creek 110-35 (Feb. 22)
• Last 20 years: Salem 23-10. The Lions have won six of their last seven vs. Borden.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 26, 2021 — At Borden 71, Salem 47.
• John Harrell prediction: Borden 64, Salem 47.
• Sagarin projection: Borden by 11.
• Outlook: Doc Nash has Borden playing like a postseason contender. That should be scary for the rest of the sectional field.
• Greg’s pick: Borden 57, Salem 45.

EASTERN AT SOUTH CENTRAL
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: South Central H.S. Main Gym (6675 E. Hwy. 11 S.E., Elizabeth)
• Records:
Eastern 16-5. The Musketeers have lost two of their last three games.
South Central 8-14. The Rebels have lost three of their last four.
• Coaches:
Eastern — Chandler Prible (28-18 in second season at Eastern)
South Central — Greg Robinson (181-182 in 16th season at South Central, 203-245 in 20th season overall)
• Rankings:
Eastern — No. 14 AP (Class 2A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Eastern — No. 137, No. 20 Class 2A
South Central — No. 334, No. 63 Class A
• Most recent game:
Eastern — Lost at Springs Valley 69-58 (Feb. 22)
South Central — Defeated Corydon Central 65-58 (Feb. 22)
• Last 20 years: Eastern 6-2.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 26, 2021 — At Eastern 66, South Central 44.
• John Harrell prediction: Eastern 62, South Central 45.
• Sagarin projection: Eastern by 21.
• Outlook: The Musketeers will bounce back after a tough loss Tuesday.
• Greg’s pick: Eastern 72, South Central 49.

MITCHELL AT SCOTTSBURG
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Charles E. Meyer Gymnasium (1 Jim Barley Way, Scottsburg)
• Records:
Mitchell 7-14. The Bluejackets have lost eight of their last nine games.
Scottsburg 13-8. The Warriors are on a 4-game winning streak.
• Coaches:
Mitchell — Jackson Ryan (10-28 in second season at Mitchell)
Scottsburg — Eric Richardson (19-26 in second season at Scottsburg)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Mitchell — No. 304, No. 72 Class 2A
Scottsburg — No. 110, No. 29 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Mitchell — Defeated Shoals 56-47 (Feb. 22)
Scottsburg — Won at Jennings County 52-50 (Feb. 22)
• Last 20 years: Scottsburg 13-6.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 26, 2021 — Scottsburg 65, at Mitchell 47.
• John Harrell prediction: Scottsburg by 27.
• Sagarin projection: Scottsburg 66, Mitchell 40.
• Outlook: After winning at Jennings County, Scottsburg has clearly announced that it is an outside contender at the sectional at Salem.
• Greg’s pick: Scottsburg 63, Mitchell 45.

AUSTIN AT CROTHERSVILLE
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Crothersville H.S. (109 S. Preston St., Crothersville)
• Records:
Austin 5-14. The Eagles have lost five of their last six games.
Crothersville 3-18. The Tigers have lost seven of their last eight.
• Coaches:
Austin — Randy Edwards (40-76 in fifth season at Austin)
Crothersville — Bryant Layman (3-18 in first season at Crothersville)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Austin — No. 309, No. 75 Class 2A
Crothersville — No. 391, No. 91 Class A
• Most recent game:
Austin — Won at Lanesville 63-51 (Feb. 22)
Crothersville — lost to Henryville 81-46 (Feb. 19)
• Last 20 years: Austin 27-5. The Eagles have won 12 of the 13 in the rivalry.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 26, 2021 — At Austin 71, Crothersville 56.
• John Harrell prediction: Austin 74, Crothersville 46.
• Sagarin projection: Austin by 20.
• Outlook: This is a particularly bad Crothersville team and Austin has been pretty good at times this season.
• Greg’s pick: Austin 70, Crothersville 40.

SHOALS AT WEST WASHINGTON
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Tower Gymnasium, West Washington H.S. (8028 W. Batt Rd., Campbellsburg)
• Records:
Shoals 9-13. The Jug Rox have won two of their last three games.
West Washington 8-13. The Senators have won two of their last three.
• Coaches:
Shoals — Bryson Able (69-100 in seventh season at Shoals)
West Washington — Clayton Sullivan (47-49 in fourth season at West Washington)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Shoals — No. 283, No. 46 Class A
West Washington — No. 300, No. 50 Class A
• Most recent game:
Shoals — Won at Wood Memorial 52-42 (Feb. 23)
West Washington — Lost at Rock Creek 63-36 (Feb. 22)
• Last 20 years: West Washington 13-2.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 26, 2021 — West Washington 45, at Shoals 40.
• John Harrell prediction: Shoals 49, West Washignton 46.
• Sagarin projection: West Washington by 1.
• Outlook: The Senators lost some momentum with an ugly loss at Rock Creek. They need this one.
• Greg’s pick: West Washington 59, Shoals 53.

CHRISTIAN ACADEMY AT NORTHEAST DUBOIS
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Northeast Dubois H.S. (4711 N. Dubois Rd. NE, Dubois, IN 47527)
• Records:
Christian Academy 9-13. The Warriors have lost their last two games but have won three of their last five.
Northeast Dubois 7-14. The Jeeps have lost four of their last five.
• Coaches:
Christian Academy — Hayden Casey (18-30 in second season at CAI)
Northeast Dubois — Terry Friedman (183-192 in 16th season at Northeast Dubois)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
CAI — No. 263, No. 38 Class A
Northeast Dubois — No. 281, No. 45 Class A
• Most recent game:
CAI — Lost at South Spencer 61-42 (Feb. 22)
Northeast Dubois — Lost at Evansville Christian 84-51 (Feb. 22)
• Last 20 years: First meeting.
• John Harrell prediction: CAI 54, NE Dubois 51.
• Sagarin projection: Northeast Dubois by 1.
• Outlook: Tough road trip for the Warriors. I think they get the job done.
• Greg’s pick: CAI 51, Northeast Dubois 47.

By GREG MENGELT

LOUISVILLE — After an ugly loss Sunday to Jacksonville State, Bellarmine rounded Wednesday with a 76-73 victory over visiting Lipscomb at Freedom Hall.

Bellarmine, which had clinched a first-round bye in the Atlantic Sun Tournament prior to Wednesday’s victory, won for the fourth time in its last five games to improve to 17-12 overall and 11-4 in conference play. The Knights trail Jacksonville State by a game in the A-Sun West with a game to go. Bellarmine will go to Eastern Kentucky (12-17, 4-11) to face the sixth-place Colonels, while Jacksonville State (19-9, 12-3) closes at home with last-place North Alabama (9-19, 2-13) on Saturday.

Bellarmine shot 54 percent from the field (32 for 59) and held off a late Bisons charge. Lipscomb junior Greg Jones made two free throws that cut the Bellarmine lead to 69-68 with 2:54 left. Bellarmine senior CJ Fleming (Cincinnati) hit a big 3 with 1:47 that put the Knights up 72-68. A Jones 3 with 13 seconds left narrowed the gap to 73-71, but Knights senior Juston Betz — a former Providence star — sealed the win with three free throws in the final 11 seconds.

Fleming led the Knights with 20 points, while Betz and senior guard Dylan Penn (Evansville/Memorial) had 16 points apiece. Betz, who was 6 for 10 from the field and 3 for 4 at the free throw line, also had four rebounds, two steals and an assist. Garrett Tipton (Columbus, Ohio) scored 13 points off the Bellarmine bench.

Lipscomb, which outscored the Knights 22-5 at the line, was led by freshman guard Will Pruitt, who went 3 for 5 from deep and 5 for 5 at the charity stripe for 18 points.

By GREG MENGELT

RENO, Nev. — Tre Coleman scored nine points but it wasn’t enough as his Nevada squad was dealt a 62-54 home loss by UNLV on Tuesday at the Lawlor Events Center.

The former Jeffersonville star and current Nevada sophomore went 3 for 8 from the field and had three steals and a rebound in the defeat, which snapped the Wolfpack’s 3-game winning streak.

Coleman and the Pack just shot just 38.3 percent (23 for 60) and were outscored 39-28 after halftime to fall to 12-14 overall and 6-9 in Mountain West play. UNLV, which has won three in a row and is now 11-17 overall, was led by 27 points, eight rebounds and three assists from senior star Bryce Hamilton.

Junior Grant Sherfield led Nevada with 19 points, eight assists and four rebounds. The Wolfpack go to Wyoming on Saturday to attempt to disrupt the Cowboys MWC title bid. The Cowboys (22-4, 11-2) trailed Boise State by a game atop the Mountain West standings. The game can be seen locally at 8 p.m. Saturday on CBS Sports Network.

By GREG MENGELT

COLORADO SPRINGS — Jake Heidbreder’s 14 points weren’t nearly enough Wednesday as his Air Force Falcons took a 65-40 home loss to Fresno State on Tuesday evening at Clune Arena.

Fresno shot 57.5 percent (23 for 40) and out-rebounded Heidbreder’s Falcons 35-15 to improve to 17-10. The Falcons, meanwhile, shot just 30 percent (15 for 50) and were outscored 14-3 at the foul line.

Heidbreder’s 14 points led Air Force, which is 10-16 overall after its eighth consecutive loss. Heidbreder, a freshman from Floyd Central, went 6 for 12 from the filed. Heidbreder is now second on the team in scoring at 10.2 points and is second in assists at 1.9 per contest.

Fresno junior star Orlando Robinson dominated with 26 points, six rebounds and three assists. The All-Mountain West candidate scored his 26 points on just 12 field goal attempts. Classmate Isaiah Hill added 15 points and four assists.

The Falcons will try to end their losing streak Saturday when they go to New Mexico (11-17) to face a Lobos team that has lost three in a row.

By GREG MENGELT

Floyd Central lost twice last week. It wasn’t a huge deal. They were two non-conference games late in the season. Two games stuck in between the Highlanders clinching the Hoosier Hills Conference championship and the sectional beginning next week. The Highlanders were also playing without Caleb Washington.

Of course, any team — even one as good as 12th-ranked Floyd Central (16-4) — doesn’t want to enter the postseason on a losing streak. That makes Wednesday’s regular-season finale against Columbus East (7-13) more important than it originally looked. The Olympians are in last place in the HHC standings but have won five in a row, including a 59-55 upset win over Jennings County two weeks ago.

The Highlanders will look to bounce back from losses against Brownstown Central and Bloomington North last week by finishing their HHC slate unbeaten.

“We made mistakes in both (losses),” Floyd Central coach Todd Sturgeon said. “Those are two good teams and we had a chance to win both games and didn’t. There are things we have to button down and improve upon. We’re talking about two possessions per half when you’re talking about whether you advance in the postseason. Through the regional, anybody we play, it could be two possessions per half that could decide a game.”

With a 5-0 record against the sectional field this season, Floyd Central clearly will enter next week’s sectional as the favorites. However, Sturgeon knows there’s not a team in the balanced sectional field not capable of beating any other team.

The Highlanders open the sectional against a 14-6 Jennigs County team that took them to overtime in late January. A win and they’d face rival New Albany (11-10). The championship game could be against Bedford North Lawrence (10-10), host Seymour (13-6) or defending champion Jeffersonville (6-10) next Saturday.

“Clearly, when you take a look at the scores, anybody is capable of beating anybody else,” Sturgeon said. “Nobody thinks New Albany can’t win two games (to win the sectional), Seymour is sitting there with the bye, homecourt advantage and a strong defensive team and everybody knows how good Jeff is. I think it’s wide open.”

Sturgeon says he expects Washington to return Wednesday unless he suffers a setback. He said 6-foot-5 junior wing probably could’ve played against North but the team is taking a “slow approach” to his return.

GAME OF THE NIGHT
COLUMBUS EAST AT FLOYD CENTRAL
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Joe Hinton Court, Floyd Central H.S. (6575 Old Vincennes Rd., Floyds Knobs)
• Records:
Columbus East 7-13, 1-4 HHC. The. Olympians have won five games in a row.
Floyd Central 16-4, 5-0 HHC. The Highlanders lost their last two.
• Coaches:
Columbus East — Brent Chitty (127-143 in 12th season at East, 313-301 in 28th season overall)
Floyd Central — Todd Sturgeon (138-44 in eighth season at Floyd)
• Rankings:
Floyd Central — No. 13 IBCA (single class); No. 12 AP (Class 4A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Columbus East — No. 140, No. 74 Class 4A
Floyd Central — No. 9, No. 9 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
Columbus East — Defeated Madison 60-40 (Feb. 18)
Floyd Central — Lost to Bloomington North 51-48 (Feb. 19)
• Last 20 years: East 13-7. Floyd has a 4-game winning streak against the Olympians.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 24, 2021 — Floyd Central 85, at East 54.
• John Harrell prediction: Floyd 64, East 38.
• Sagarin projection: Floyd by 25.
• Outlook: We’re going to find out real fast if East’s winning streak is legit.
• Greg’s pick: Floyd 70, East 47.

NEW WASHINGTON AT SWITZERLAND COUNTY
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Switzerland County H.S. (1020 W. Main St., Vevay)
• Records:
New Washington 6-15. The Mustangs have lost four of their last five games.
Switzerland County 8-13. The Pacers have lost three in a row.
• Coaches:
New Washington — Kyle Brown (15-30 in second season at New Wash)
Switzerland County — Travis Wrightsman (11-34 in second season at Switzerland County, 275-193 in 19th season overall)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
New Washington — No. 331, No. 62 Class A
Switzerland County — No. 296, No. 68 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
New Washington — Lost to Rock Creek 68-60 (Feb. 19)
Switzerland County — Lost at South Dearborn 48-37 Feb. 19)
• Last 20 years: Switzerland County 14-6.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 29, 2021 — At New Washington 50, Switzerland County 44.
• John Harrell prediction: Switzerland County 59, New Wash 51.
• Sagarin projection: Switzerland Count by 9.
• Outlook: I’ll be surprised if New Wash isn’t the better team.
• Greg’s pick: New Albany 58, Switzerland County 55.

By GREG MENGELT

Eastern senior Cade Jones is the Hoosier Hills Hoops Boys’ Player of the Week for the third time after scoring 86 points in three games last week.

Jones helped the Musketeers go 2-1 last week with the lone defeat a 77-73 defeat at the hands of Mid-Southern Conference champion Brownstown Central. Jones and the Musketeers defeated Rock Creek 48-45 on Tuesday and Salem 57-43 on Saturday.

Jones finished with 25 points on 10 of 21 shooting against Rock Creek, put up 36 points on 16 of 26 from the field in the loss to Brownstown and closed the week with a 25-point performance in Eastern’s win over Salem. In the win of the Lions, Jones was 10 for 22.

For the week, Jones shot 52.2 percent from the floor and 89 percent from the free throw line. He also made six 3-pointers.

Jones and the Musketeers are 16-4 heading into two road games this week to close the regular season. They go to Springs Valley (17-3) on Tuesday before their regular-season finale Friday at South Central (7-14). Eastern drew Perry Central (11-9) in the first round of next week’s Class 2A Tell City Sectional.

WEEK’S TOP PERFORMERS
• Jalen Treat, Rock Creek: Treat scored 42 points and had a pair of double-doubles as the Lions went 2-1 with a loss to Eastern and wins over Trinity Lutheran and New Washington last week. In the loss to Eastern, Treat finished with 13 points and six boards. The junior forward had 10 points and 11 boards in the Lions’ 70-59 win over Trinity Lutheran and 19 points and 18 rebounds in Saturday’s 68-60 triumph at New Washington.
• Layton Walton, Henryville: Walton, a junior forward, scored in double figures three times and had a huge performance in the Hornets’ 53-47 win at New Washington on Tuesday with 23 points, 15 rebounds and five assists. In Friday’s loss at West Washington, Walton had 12 points and five rebounds and he finished his stellar week with a 10-point, 2-rebound, 2-assist outing in the Hornets’ 81-46 win at Crothersville.