By KENZIE WINSTEAD

NEW ALBANY, IND. — Cameron Stone hit a driving layup with eight seconds left to lift Grant Line over Floyds Knobs 32-31 in Sunday’s nail-bitter for the Floyd County Elementary Basketball League boys’ championship.

Stone led the winners with 14 points. “He’s a coach’s kid and he’s just so good with the basketball,” the Yellowjackets’ coach Brian Mayfield said. “He’s quick but he can still handle the ball and finish.”

Grant Line needed Stone’s heroics after Floyds Knobs’ Noah Howard drilled a 3-pointer with 30 seconds remaining.

“That kid (Howard) hit a huge 3-pointer,” Mayfield said. “It was fun to be part of (this game). The good thing is our three guards are third-graders and they’ll be back next year. These kids play really good for being 9- and 10-years old.”

Howard led the Cougars with 13 points.

For Grant Line, Grayson Hogan was a major factor in the paint. He finished with 13.

Stone, who is the son of Louisville Doss coach Blake Stone, was named the league’s Kenny Sinkhorn Most Valuable Player following the title game.

“Sometimes it comes down to the wire and you’ve got to finish it off,” said Stone, a third-grader. “It means a lot to me because I like to win championships and it makes me happy … That’s a good team (Floyds Knobs). The last time it went to overtime with them.”

FLOYDS KNOBS — 7 – 6 – 4 – 14 — 31
GRANT LINE — 7 – 8 – 9 – 8 — 32
Floyds Knobs (31): Noah Howard 13, Jake Roberts 4, Conner Jones 5, Sutton Turnage 3, Braylon Thompson 4, Jackson Burrows 2.
Grant Line (32): Kaleb Wheeler 6, Cameron Stone 14, Grayson Hogan 12.
3-point goals: Howard, Stone.

By KENZIE WINSTEAD

NEW ALBANY, IND. — Zoe Goble scored all five of her team’s fourth-quarter points to ignite Floyds Knobs past Mount Tabor 13-12 Sunday afternoon at Scribner Middle School in the girls’ championship game of the Floyd County Elementary Basketball League.

Mount Tabor charged to an 8-0 behind the play of Riley Belden, who scored all 12 points for the Tigers.

“We took some adversity,” said Floyds Knobs coach Travis Trueblood. “We got into our own heads. It was big crowd. . . That (Mount Tabor) is a good team. They hit us in the nose and got us on our back heels. We figured it out. We grinded and grinded.”

Mount Tabor still led 12-11, when Goble stole the ball and went the length of the court for the layup with 44 seconds left.

“I said, ‘just attack and go to the basket’,” Trueblood said he told Goble. “It’s a great group of girls.”

Goble, a fourth-grader, was named the Wayne Timbs Girls’ Most Valuable Player for her performances throughout league play, including the game-winning basket.

Goble said she felt “amazing” after hitting the game-winner. “I thought we weren’t going to make it up (after trailing) but we did.”

Goble said she plays “every single chance I get.”

FLOYDS KNOBS — 0 – 4 – 4 – 5 — 13
MOUNT TABOR — 6 – 2 – 4 – 0 — 12
Floyds Knobs (13): Avery Trueblood 2, Zoe Goble 11.
Mount Tabor (12): Riley Belden 12.
3-point goals: none.

By GREG MENGELT

While three local sectionals resumed play Saturday, two local sectionals — with teams traveling as long as an hour to reach their sectional sites — decided to wait until Monday to play their semifinals.

It’s rare that a Hoosier Hills Hoops Game of the Night will feature one team that beat another by 34 points just a few weeks ago, but things have changed a little bit.

Floyd Central (9-13) is no longer playing like a below .500 team, while Bedford North Lawrence (21-2) didn’t play like a state championship contender last Tuesday in its first-round victory over the host Red Devils at the 4A Jeffersonville Sectional.

The Highlanders and Stars will meet in Monday’s second sectional semifinal, following Seymour (11-10) vs. Jennings County (16-6) in the first semi. The winners will battle for the sectional championship Tuesday.

The Highlanders won their last two regular-season games, including a 55-50 upset of Jennings County on Jan. 25, and the streak was nearly four. Floyd nearly upset 21-win Corydon Central before losing in overtime and lost by a point to Class A No. 11 Trinity Lutheran on Jan. 20.

In fact, the last time the Highlanders were dominated was the 62-28 loss at BNL on Jan. 25.

“We keep getting better,” Floyd head coach Randy Gianfagna said. “We knew we would get it was going. We just had to find a way to finish.”

It will still be a tough task for Floyd to upset the 10-time defending sectional champions. The Stars are the third-ranked team in Indiana despite being mostly depending on underclassmen.

In Monday’s other sectional action, 2-time defending champion Eastern (13-11) is expected to advance past Providence (6-14) in Monday’s first semifinal at the Class 2A Crawford County Sectional. The Musketeers beat Providence 47-15 on Dec. 2. The second semifinal is expected to be a good one. Austin (9-11) enters the semi having won four of its last six games, including a 53-30 win over Clarksville in the sectional’s first round. The Eagles’ opponent, Crawford County (10-12), started the season 0-7 but has gone 10-5 since, including a 74-73 overtime win over Austin at Marengo on Jan. 4.

CLASS 4A JEFFERSONVILLE SECTIONAL
FLOYD CENTRAL VS. BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: William S. Johnson Arena, Jeffersonville H.S. (2315 Allison Ln., Jeffersonville)
• Records:
Floyd Central 9-13. The Highlanders won their last two regular-season games.
Bedford North Lawrence 21-2. The Stars have won five straight.
• Coaches:
Floyd Central — Randy Gianfagna (29-60 in fourth season at Floyd)
BNL — Jeff Allen (176-36 in eighth season at BNL)
• Rankings:
BNL — No. 4 IBCA (single class); No. 3 ICGSA (Class 4A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Floyd Central — No. 116, No. 55 Class 4A
BNL— No. 12, No. 11 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
Floyd Central — Won at Providence 61-26 (Jan. 27)
BNL — Defeated Jeffersonville 51-42 (Feb. 1, Class 4A Jeffersonville Sectional first round)
• Sectionals titles (most recent): Floyd Central 6 (2010); BNL 30 (2021, 10th straight).
• Regular-season result: Jan. 15 — At BNL 62, Floyd Central 28.
• Last postseason matchup: Feb. 2, 2016 — BNL 33, Floyd Central 23 (sectional first round)
• John Harrell prediction: BNL 58, Floyd 31.
• Sagarin projection: BNL by 29.
• Outlook: Floyd’s made a ton of progress over the second half of the season. However, it’s hard to imagine the Highlanders have improved 35 points since Jan. 15.
• Greg’s pick: BNL 60, Floyd Central 41.

JENNINGS COUNTY VS. SEYMOUR
• Time: 6 p.m.
• Location: William S. Johnson Arena, Jeffersonville H.S. (2315 Allison Ln., Jeffersonville)
• Records:
Seymour 11-10. The Owls have won their last two games.
Jennings County 16-6. The Panthers lost three of their final four regular-season games.
• Coaches:
Seymour — Jason Longmeier (123-102 in 10th season at Seymour, 157-152 in 14th season overall)
Jennings County — Kristi Sigler (77-67 in sixth season at Jennings)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Seymour — No. 103, No. 52 Class 4A
Jennings County— No. 49, No. 34 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
Seymour — Defeated New Albany 59-47 (Feb. 1, Class 4A Jeffersonville Sectional first round)
Jennings County — Lost at Franklin 82-57 (Jan. 27)
• Sectionals titles (most recent): Seymour 11 (2008); Jennings County 10 (2005).
• Regular-season result: Dec. 7 — At Jennings County 70, Seymour 42.
• Last postseason matchup: Feb. 2, 2021 — Jennings County 72, Seymour 48 (sectional first round)
• News & notes: Longmeier was the head coach at Jennings County from 2007-2010.
• John Harrell prediction: Jennings 58, Seymour 42.
• Sagarin projection: Jennings by 13.
• Outlook: The Owls will make a game of this, but the Panthers are the better team despite their late struggles.
• Greg’s pick: Jennings County 55, Seymour 48.

CLASS 2A CRAWFORD COUNTY SECTIONAL
PROVIDENCE VS. EASTERN
• Time: 6 p.m.
• Location: Ron Ferguson Gymnasium, Crawford County H.S. (1130 South State Road 66, Marengo)
• Records:
Providence 6-14. The Pioneers lost their final two regular-season games.
Eastern 13-11. The Musketeers have won their last two games.
• Coaches:
Providence — Brad Burden (165-162 in 14th season at Providence)
Eastern — Michael McBride (232-126 in 15th season at Eastern)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Providence — No. 311, No. 80 Class 2A
Eastern— No. 114, No. 21 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
Providence — Lost to Floyd Central 61-26 (Jan. 27
Eastern — Defeated Henryville 54-18 (Feb. 1, Class 2A Crawford County Sectional first round)
• Sectionals titles (most recent): Providence 2 (2016); Eastern 6 (2021, third straight).
• Regular-season result: Dec. 2 — At Eastern 47, Providence 15.
• Last postseason matchup: Feb. 1, 2019 — Eastern 27, Providence 24 (sectional first round)
• John Harrell prediction: Eastern 53, Providence 25.
• Sagarin projection: Eastern by 30.
• Outlook: The Musketeers should win handily. The question is who they’ll face in Tuesday’s championship game.
• Greg’s pick: Eastern 50, Providence 25.

CRAWFORD COUNTY VS. AUSTIN
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Ron Ferguson Gymnasium, Crawford County H.S. (1130 South State Road 66, Marengo)
• Records:
Crawford County 10-12. The Wolfpack won seven of their final nine regular-season games.
Austin 9-11. The Eagles have won their last two games and three of their last four.
• Coaches:
Crawford County — Christopher Broughton (121-94 in ninth season at Crawford)
Austin — Jared Petersen (240-175 in 17th season at Austin)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Crawford County — No. 208, No. 52 Class 2A
Austin— No. 180, No. 38 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
Crawford County — Lost to Corydon Central 55-21 (Jan. 27
Austin — Defeated Clarksville 53-30 (Feb. 1, Class 2A Crawford County Sectional first round)
• Sectionals titles (most recent): Crawford County 3 (1993); Austin 11 (2016).
• Regular-season result: Jan. 4 — At Crawford County 74, Austin 73, OT.
• Last postseason matchup: Feb. 2, 2021 — Crawford County 48, Austin 37 (sectional first round)
• John Harrell prediction: Crawford County 46, Austin 44.
• Sagarin projection: Austin by 5.
• Outlook: It’s going to be tough to overcome the Wolfpack’s homecourt advantage, but we’re calling it. This should be the most competitive game of the night.
• Greg’s pick: Austin 54, Crawford County 48.

By GREG MENGELT

Covid and weather delays have dampened the 2021-22 season a little bit, but there is good news.

If you’re the type of fan who’s obsessed with local high school basketball — like we are at Hoosier Hills Hoops — you’ll get a chance to see a game every day this week. Due to last week’s cumulation of snow and ice, many of those games were rescheduled for this week.

For example, Monday’s Hoosier Hills Boys’ Game of the Night features Class 2A No. 16 Providence (12-4) at South Central (6-9) to face a Rebels team that has won two straight games and four of its last six after a slow start to the season. It’s an ultra-rare Monday game.

Also Monday, a talented New Washington (4-11) team looks like it’s gelling as March approaches. The Mustangs can take advantages of games like Monday’s, which should be an easy win at Medora (3-12) to gain momentum heading as the postseason approaches.

GAME OF THE NIGHT
PROVIDENCE AT SOUTH CENTRAL
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: South Central H.S. Main Gym (6675 E. Hwy. 11 S.E., Elizabeth)
• Records:
Providence 12-4. The Pioneers have won six of their last seven games.
South Central 6-9. The Rebels have won their last two games and four of their last six.
• Coaches:
Providence — Ryan Miller (42-20 in third season at Providence)
South Central — Greg Robinson (179-177 in 16th season at South Central, 201-240 in 20th season overall)
• Rankings:
Providence — No. 16 AP (Class 2A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Providence — No. 138, No. 21 Class 2A
South Central — No. 310, No. 57 Class A
• Most recent game:
Providence — Won at Christian Academy 47-46 (Jan. 28)
South Central — Won at Crothersville 59-27 (Feb. 2)
• Last 20 years: Providence 17-2. The Pioneers have won 17 of their last 18 matchups with South Central.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 4, 2021 — At Providence 68, South Central 43.
• John Harrell prediction: Providence 60, South Central 40.
• Sagarin projection: Providence by 19.
• Outlook: I like the way South Central is playing. Without question, the Rebels can win a sectional championship. Beating Providence is a different story.
• Greg’s pick: Providence 59, South Central 48.

NEW WASHINGTON AT MEDORA
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Location: Medora H.S. (82 South George Street, Medora)
• Records:
New Washington 4-11. The Mustangs have won two of their last three games.
Medora 3-12. The Hornets have lost four games in a row.
• Coaches:
New Washington — Kyle Brown (13-26 in second season at New Wash)
Medora — Mark Morin (22-131 in seventh season at Medora)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
New Washington — No. 345, No. 65 Class A
Medora — No. 395, No. 95 Class A
• Most recent game:
New Washington — Defeated Bloomington Lighthouse 57-45 (Jan. 29)
Medora — Lost at Crothersville 54-48 (Feb. 1)
• Last 20 years: New Wash 7-1. The Mustangs have won seen in a row against Medora.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 4, 2021 — At New Washington 58, Medora 28.
• John Harrell prediction: New Washington 65, Medora 37.
• Sagarin projection: New Wash by 18.
• Outlook: New Wash has a chance to really get some momentum heading toward March.
• Greg’s pick: New Washington 65, Medora 28.

By GREG MENGELT

Langford entered the game with 6:11 minutes remaining — and with Boston ahead of the Magic, who have the league’s worst record — and the Celtics leading 96-71 and went 3 for 4 from the field, including 2 for 2 from behind the 3-point stripe.

Boston, which led 49-35 at the half and 78-57 after three quarters, was led by 26 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals from Jaylen Brown. Dennis Schroder scored 22 off the Celtics’ bench.

Rookie Jalen Suggs paced Orlando (12-43) with 17 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals.

Langford and the Celtics (30-25), who have won five in a row and are up to a sixth-place tie with in the Eastern Conference, go to Brooklyn (29-23) on Tuesday to face the Nets, who are also tied for sixth (along with Toronto) in spite of losing seven consecutive games. The game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and will air nationally on TNT.

By GREG MENGELT

A New Albany graduate and Blue Raider senior, Jefferson led his team in scoring, rebounds and assists in Saturday’s loss, which dropped the Middle Tennessee to 14-7 overall and 5-3 in Conference USA. Jefferson finished with 19 points, six rebounds and three assists. He was 6 for 10 from the field, including 4 of 6 from behind the 3-point stripe, and made three of his four free throw attempts.

UAB, which led 48-39 at the half and pushed the advantage to 87-66 with 6:54 left, got 42 points, four assists, four steals and three rebounds from star junior Jordan Walker. The Blazers have won five of their last six game to improve to 18-5 overall and 8-2 in league play.

The Raiders, who entered the game on a 5-game winning streak, hosts Texas-San Antonio on Monday at 7 p.m. UTSA (8-16, 1-10 CUSA) has lost three straight and none of its last 10 games.