By GREG MENGELT

In her penultimate performance of the regular season, Ellison finished with 23 points and New Washington blasted Crothersville 70-19 last Tuesday. It’s the Hoosier Hills Hoops Girls’ Performance of the Week.

Ellison and the Mustangs (13-9) will face either South Central (1-15) or Christian Academy (6-15) in Friday’s sectional semifinal at home. New Wash beat the Warriors and Rebels by a combined 79 points during the regular season.

WEEK’S TOP SINGLE-GAME PERFORMANCES
• Emily Cissell, Borden: Cissell scored 25 points in the Braves’ 55-44 loss against West Washington last Tuesday. Cissell, who was 7 for 16 from the field, including 6 of 11 from behind the 3-point arc, also had three rebounds and an assist.
• Alandra Johnson, West Washington: Johnson scored 18 points as the Senators knocked off Borden 55-44 last Tuesday.
• Kynidi Mason-Striverson, Silver Creek: Mason-Striverson had 25 points in the Dragons’ 65-61 to Columbus East last Tuesday. Mason-Striverson went 5 for 9 from 3-point range and had seven rebounds, four assists and a steal.
• Julia Perissi, Clarksville: The freshman scored 13 big points as Clarksville ended a 6-game losing streak with a 41-40 victory over South Central on Saturday.
• Leah Stevens, Christian Academy: Stevens finished with 15 points in the Warriors’ 46-27 loss at Perry Central last Thursday.

By GREG MENGELT

Still, few expected the Panthers to upset first-place Brownstown Central. After all, this is the same Corydon team that lost five of its first seven games this season.

But it’s really not the same team. Several pieces have returned for the Panthers and it showed when they handed the Braves their first conference loss, 92-78 for the Hoosier Hills Hoops Boys’ Win of the Week.

“At the beginning of the season, we didn’t have Tyler (Fessel), Anthony Martin (shoulder) or Jalen Fowler (should),” Corydon third-year coach Joseph Hinton said. “We weren’t at 100 percent, but since the PSC Tournament (Dec 28 & 29), the boys have figured out that defense is how we’re going to win ball games.”

Austin Vaughn led the Panthers with 19 points, Martin and senior Owen Shireman scored 18 apiece in the win with Fessel adding 16. Senior Bryce Weber had 13, giving the Panthers five players in double figures.

The Panthers had 28 assists on 36 baskets.

“Everybody eats right now,” Hinton said. “We’re looking like the team I thought we had the potential to be. Brownstown is a really good … but the boys went out and executed.”

The Sectional 30 field was already loaded with North Harrison (11-3), Scottsburg (9-6) and defending state champion Silver Creek (6-8) in the field. You can add Corydon to the list of serious contenders.

“Our sectional’s going to be tough,” Hinton said. “North Harrison is ranked ahead of everybody right now. They’re obviously the sectional favorites. Silver Creek just added a transfer to an already good team. They’re going to be tough to beat. Scottsburg is so talented, so big and have the ability to shoot. I think our sectional going to be exciting. We might be able to make some noise. It’s going to be one of better sectionals around to go to.”

Hinton’s Panthers go to Austin (3-9) on Thursday evening and Paoli (7-7) on Saturday afternoon.

By GREG MENGELT

However, Class A No. 2 Eagles, who’ve won 18 games in a row entering the postseason, scored a big 43-37 win over Salem last week then won 39-28 at Scottsburg for the Hoosier Hills Hoops Win of the Week.

The Eagles went 5-1 against 3A and 4A teams this year with wins over Evansville Reitz, New Albany, Floyd Central, Salem and now Scottsburg. Lanesville will enter the sectional as one of the top state championship contenders.

The Eagles begin the postseason Tuesday against Rock Creek (9-8) at New Washington.

By GREG MENGELT

Charlestown (5-11, 0-4 MSC) has games this week against Brownstown Central (12-3, 5-1) and North Harrison (11-3, 6-1) that could help determine the MSC champions.

The Pirates lost nine of their first 11 games in their first year under head coach Matt Lynch, but they recently scored wins over Borden and Lanesville.

“I am really proud of this group,” Lynch said. “We came into the season with little to no varsity experience with Charlestown graduating nine seniors. We have had bumps in the road, but we have won most of our close games this season.”

Four of Charlestown’s five wins have come in the final sectional or regulation or in overtime.

“I am proud of them for executing and finding a way to win those games,” Lynch said. “We have been starting two freshman, two sophomores and one junior, so this experience these players are getting will be vital in our future success.”

Brownstown, which features one the state’s best sophomores in Jack Benter — son of Braves’ coach Dave Benter, who enters Monday’s Hoosier Hills Hoops Game of the Night with 415 career wins in 24 years at Brownstown — took its first MSC loss Saturday at Corydon. Central, 92-78. They’re now a half-game behind North Harrison, which is Charlestown’s opponent on Thursday.

“Brownstown is a great team and a great program,” Lynch said. “Obviously, Coach Benter is one of the best in the business. Their team starts with Jack Benter. He can score from anywhere, so he will be the focal point for us on defense. But they also have (senior Carter) Waskom, who can get 20 points any given night. So we will have to be locked in on defense and make things difficult for those two but also keep their other guys off the offensive glass.”

The first-place Cougars, who lost to Brownstown 63-62 in double overtime on Dec. 17, can clinch their share of the MSC championship by beating Charlestown on Thursday. Brownstown still has to go to Pekin to face a very good Eastern (13-2, 3-2) team on Feb. 18.

A loss against Charlestown on Monday likely ends any chance of Brownstown winning its first MSC crown since 2019.

“This is a conference team and a ranked opponent, so it’s a big game for us,” Lynch said. “We have struggled against top competition, so this is a great test for us to see our improvement.”

GAME OF THE NIGHT
CHARLESTOWN AT BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Brownstown Central H.S. (500 N. Elm St., Brownstown)
• Records:
Charlestown 5-11, 0-4 MSC. The Pirates have lost eight of their last 10 games.
Brownstown Central 12-3, 5-1 MSC. The Braves have won four of their last five.
• Coaches:
Charlestown — Matt Lynch (5-11 in first season at Charlestown, 74-61 in sixth season overall)
Brownstown — Dave Benter (415-156 in 24th season at Brownstown)
• Rankings:
Brownstown — No. 8 AP (Class 3A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Charlestown — No. 288, No. 80 Class 3A
Brownstown — No. 68, No. 14 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Charlestown — Won at Lanesville 44-41, 2OT (Jan. 29)
Brownstown — Lost at Corydon Central 92-78 (Jan. 29)
• Last 20 years: Brownstown 22-2. The Braves have won 13 straight against Charlestown.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 27, 2021 — At Brownstown 68, Charlestown 55.
• John Harrell prediction: Brownstown 67, Charlestown 43.
• Sagarin projection: Brownstown by 29.
• Outlook: The Braves are legit. Benter is a scoring machine. They should win easily Monday, setting up a big showdown with Eastern on Feb. 18.
• Greg’s pick: Brownstown 79, Charlestown 54.

By GREG MENGELT

A look at each of the area’s five girls’ sectionals:

CLASS 4A JEFFERSONVILLE SECTIONAL
• Location: William S. Johnson Arena, Jeffersonville H.S. (2315 Allison Ln., Jeffersonville)
• Schedule:
First round (Tuesday) — New Albany (5-18) vs. Seymour, 6 p.m.; Bedford North Lawrence (20-2) vs. Jeffersonville (10-7), 7:30 p.m.
Semifinals (Friday) — Jennings County (16-6) vs. New Albany/Seymour winner, 6 p.m.; Floyd Central (9-13) vs. BNL/Jeffersonville winner, 7:30 p.m.
Championship (Saturday) — Semifinal winners, 7:30 p.m.
• Favorites: Bedford North Lawrence. The Stars have won 10 sectionals in a row and should again this week.
• Serious contenders: Jennings County. The Panthers, who lost 50-34 to BNL in the regular season, are probably the only team with a chance to upset the Stars.
• Outside contenders: Jeffersonville and Floyd Central. The Red Devils and Highlanders are playing well late in the season. Neither is likely to win the sectional, but who knows what could happen with a little bit of luck?
• Best first-round matchup: New Albany vs. Seymour. The Owls beat New Albany by two points last week.
• Best draw: Jennings County. Avoiding BNL until the championship game had to be exactly what the Panthers wanted.
• Toughest route: Jeffersonville. Jeff’s chances of winning this tournament probably ended on the night of the draw.

CLASS 3A NORTH HARRISON SECTIONAL
• Location: North Harrison H.S. (1070 Hwy. 64 N.W., Ramsey)
• Schedule:
First round (Tuesday) — Charlestown (17-5) vs. Corydon Central (19-2), 7 p.m.
First round (Wednesday) — North Harrison (9-11) vs. Madison (11-7), 6 p.m.; Scottsburg (10-11) vs. Silver Creek (20-2), 7:30 p.m.
Semifinals (Friday) — Salem (11-9) vs. Charlestown/Corydon winner, 6 p.m.; North Harrison/Madison winner vs. Scottsburg/Silver Creek winner, 7:30 p.m.
Championship (Saturday) — Semifinal winners, 7:30 p.m.
• Favorites: Silver Creek. The Dragons would likely be the favorites in any 3A sectional in the state, with the possible exception of one.
• Serious contenders: Corydon Central and Charlestown. It’s doubtful any 3A sectional has three teams this good in its field.
• Outside contenders: Salem. Ignore the record. No one wants to play the Lions.
• Best first-round matchup: Charlestown vs. Corydon Central. This is an easy one. It’s the best game in the region Tuesday night and a standalone at North Harrison.
• Best draw: Silver Creek. You’d think it would be Salem because it got the bye, but the Dragons’ top three threats — Charlestown, Corydon and Salem — are on the other side of the bracket.
• Toughest route: Charlestown. The Pirates have had a great year, but in order win the sectional, they have to beat Corydon, Salem then Silver Creek in order. Yikes.

CLASS 2A CRAWFORD COUNTY SECTIONAL
• Location: Ron Ferguson Gymnasium, Crawford County H.S. (1130 South State Road 66, Marengo)
• Schedule:
First round (Tuesday) — Eastern (12-11) vs. Henryville (9-12), 6 p.m.; Clarksville (3-18) vs. Austin (7-11), 7:30 p.m.
Semifinals (Friday) — Providence (6-14) vs. Eastern/Henryville winner, 6 p.m.; Crawford County (10-12) vs. Clarksville/Austin winner, 7:30 p.m.
Championship (Saturday) — Semifinal winners, 7:30 p.m.
• Favorites: Eastern. This isn’t the toughest of fields and the Musketeers are easily the favorites.
• Serious contenders: Crawford County and Austin. Both teams are capable of beating Eastern in a given night.
• Outside contenders: Henryville. The Hornets have been playing well lately. If they get past Eastern, perhaps they could make a run.
• Best first-round matchup: Eastern vs. Henryville. This sectional should go according to plan and none of the games will be very close until a potential Crawford County-Austin semifinal.
• Toughest route: Clarksville. The Generals route to a championship is to beat Austin, Crawford County then Eastern, the top three teams in the field.
• Most likely regional semifinal opponent: Forest Park (19-3). It should

CLASS A NEW WASHINGTON SECTIONAL
• Location: James Matthews Gymnasium (a.k.a. The Jim), New Washington H.S. (226 N. Highway 62, New Washington)
• Schedule:
First round (Tuesday) — South Central (1-14) vs. Christian Academy (6-15), 6 p.m.; Lanesville (22-1) vs. Rock Creek (9-8), 7:30 p.m.
Semifinals (Friday) — New Washington (13-9) vs. South Central/CAI winner, 6 p.m.; Borden (12-10) vs. Lanesville/Rock Creek winner, 7:30 p.m.
Championship (Saturday) — Semifinal winners, 7:30 p.m.
• Favorites: Lanesville. Easily.
• Serious contenders: None.
• Outside contenders: New Washington and Borden. If the Eagles should slip up, the Braves and Mustangs should be there to steal the title.
• Best first-round matchup: Lanesville vs. Rock Creek. Lanesville is the state championship favorite and Rock Creek had its second-best season in school history. This likely won’t be a competitive game, but we had to acknowledge what both programs have accomplished this season.
• Best draw: New Wash. The Mustangs should have a pretty easy route to the championship game.
• Toughest route: Rock Creek. After its best season in 20 years, the Lions would have to beat Lanesville then Borden then New Wash to win their first sectional title in school history.

CLASS A WEST WASHINGTON SECTIONAL
• Location: Tower Gymnasium, West Washington H.S. (8028 W. Batt Rd., Campbellsburg)
• Schedule:
First round (Tuesday) — West Washington (13-7) vs. Edinburgh (8-10), 7 p.m.
Semifinals (Friday) — Trinity Lutheran (14-8) vs. Crothersville (3-13), 6 p.m.; Shawe (9-10) vs. West Washington/Edinburgh winner, 7:30 p.m.
Championship (Saturday) — Semifinal winners, 7:30 p.m.
• Favorites: Trinity Lutheran. The Cougars have won the last two sectional crowns and are a pretty serious favorite this year.
• Serious contenders: West Washington. Then host Senators didn’t play Trinity this year, but they look like the field’s second-best team.
• Outside contenders: Edinburgh. The Lancers had a chance to beat West Washington in Campbellsburg, so they’re probably the third-best team at the sectional.
• Best first-round matchup: West Washington vs. Edinburgh. One of the top three teams will be eliminated on the first night.
• Best draw: West Washington. The draw should allow West Washington to advance to the championship game. Anything can happen from there.
• Toughest route: Crothersville. Any chance the Tigers had went away with the draw.

By GREG MENGELT

In the last three weeks, Floyd (12-2), which has won seven games in a row, has gone from not be in the top 20 of the single-class poll, to No. 20 then No. 15 and now No. 12 in consecutive weeks. The Highlanders, whose only loss to an Indiana program was against No. 14 Pike (12-4) on Dec. 28, go to Bedford North Lawrence (XX) on Thursday. Floyd is two wins away winning the Hoosier Hills Conference for the fourth time in five years.

Floyd was the only local team to receive any votes. Thirty-five teams received at least one vote, led by No. 1 Chesterton (16-0), which received 19 of the 20 first-place votes. The Trojans have sat in the top spot on consecutive weeks, which has been rare in the IBCA poll this season.

Fishers (15-2), Carmel (13-4), Cathedral (14-4) and Homestead (14-5) round out the top five. Regionally, Bloomington North (13-3), Bloomington South (13-5), Columbus North (12-5), Linton-Stockton (15-2), Sullivan (15-1) and Terre Haute North (16-2) received votes in the poll.

INDIANA BASKETBALL COACHES POLL
Rank, School (1st place votes) Record
1. Chesterton (19) 16-0, 2. Fishers 15-2, 3. Carmel (1) 13-4, 4. Cathedral 14-4, 5. Homestead 14-5, 6t. Ben Davis 13-5, 6t. North Central 13-4, 8. Indianapolis Tech 16-3, 9. Valparaiso 16-3, 10. Westfield 13-5, 11. Mt. Vernon (Fortville) 14-2, 12. Floyd Central 12-2, 13. Zionsville 10-5, 14. Pike 12-4, 15. Brebeuf 11-4, 16. Mishawaka Marian 14-3, 17. Penn 13-2, 18. Lawrence North 9-4, 19. Brownsburg 12-6, 20. NorthWood 16-1.
Others receiving votes: Anderson 14-3, Bloomfield 14-3, Bloomington North 13-3, Bloomington South 13-5, Central Noble 16-1, Columbus North 12-5, Crown Point 12-4, Fort Wayne Blackhawk 14-2, Glenn 17-0, Lake Station 14-0, Leo 11-2, Linton-Stockton 15-2, Monroe Central. 15-0, Sullivan 15-1, Terre Haute North 16-2.

NOTE: Records as of Sunday.