By GREG MENGELT

Jeffersonville has had all kinds of legitimate excuses for its 2-7 start.

Players and coaches out, time off after a Covid outbreak, snow days. This team hasn’t had any time to gel. That showed over the weekend when the Red Devils were blown out against Floyd Central (9-2) then lost at home to Providence (9-3).

Devils coach Andrew Grantz said the time for excuses is over. Now it’s time for his veterans to take ownership of the season.

“I wasn’t very pleased with the second-half effort either game,” Grantz said. “Right now there’s a void in leadership. We’ll continue to work on filling that void. Once our seniors (provide leadership), this team can still do a lot of damage come postseason. We just have to have leadership from our upper classmen.”

Jeff, which has lost seven of its last eight after opening the season with a win over Evansville North, goes to North Oldham (10-7) for the Hoosier Hills Hoops Game of the Night.

North Oldham is led by junior guard Dallas Roberts and his 17.5 points per game. He’s one of three Mustangs who averages double-digit points.

“They will be one of the most physical teams play this year,” Grantz said. “There have a lot of guys can make shots. (Roberts) can really get hot. It’s going to be a dogfight at their place.”

GAME OF THE NIGHT
JEFFERSONVILLE AT NORTH OLDHAM (KY.)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: North Oldham H.S. (1815 South Kentucky 1793, Goshen, Ky.)
• Records:
Jeffersonville 2-7. Jeff has lost seven of its last nine.
North Oldham 10-7. The Mustangs have lost their last two games and four of their last six.
• Coaches:
Jeffersonville — Andrew Grantz (17-14 in second season at Jeff, 105-56 in seventh season overall)
North Oldham — David Levitch (Coaching record unavailable)
• Most recent game:
Jeffersonville — Lost to Providence 48-45 (Jan. 15)
North Oldham — Lost to Meade County (Ky.) 55-37 (Jan. 13)
• Last 20 years: Jeffersonville 1-0.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 19, 2021 — At Jeffersonville 78, North Oldham 57.
• Outlook: If Jeff loses this one, there’s some serious cause for concern.
• Greg’s pick: Jeffersonville 70, North Oldham 64.

CRAWFORD COUNTY AT PROVIDENCE
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Larkin Center, Our Lady of Providence (707 Providence Way, Clarksville)
• Records:
Crawford County 1-12. The Wolfpack have lost five in a row.
Providence 9-3. The Pioneers have won their last three games.
• Coaches:
Crawford County — Jerry Hanger Jr. (4-29 in second season at Crawford)
Providence — Ryan Miller (39-19 in third season at Providence)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Crawford County — No. 335, No. 84 Class 2A
Providence — No. 140, No. 20 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
Crawford County — Lost to Corydon Central 65-52 (Jan. 15)
Providence — Won at Jeffersonville 48-45 (Jan. 15)
• Last 20 years: Providence 9-4. The Pioneers have won five of the last seven in the series.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 21, 2020 — At Providence 51, Crawford County 37.
• John Harrell prediction: Providence 64, Crawford County 40.
• Sagarin projection: Providence by 29.
• Outlook: Crawford is quite clearly not as bad as its record, but this should still a fairly easy win for the Pioneers.
• Greg’s pick: Providence 66, Crawford County 46.

WEST WASHINGTON AT MEDORA
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Medora H.S. (82 South George Street, Medora)
• Records:
West Washington 3-9. The Sentators have lost three of their last four.
Medora 3-9. The Hornets have lost four of their last five.
• Coaches:
West Washington — Clayton Sullivan (42-45 in fourth season at West Washington)
Medora — Mark Morin (22-128 in seventh season at Medora)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
West Washington — No. 308, No. 52 Class A
Medora — No. 396, No. 96 Class A
• Most recent game:
West Washington — Defeated South. Central 52-35 (Jan. 11)
Medora — Lost to Bloomington Lighthouse 62-42 (Jan. 15, Southern Roads Conference Tournament, fifth-place game)
• Last 20 years: West Washington 24-0.
• Most recent meeting: March 5, 2021 — West Washington 75, Medora 23 (Class A West Washington Sectional semifinal)
• John Harrell prediction: West Washington 69, Medora 30.
• Sagarin projection: West Washington by 24.
• Outlook: The Senators have had a couple of opportunities slip away from them of late, but this won’t be one of those games.
• Greg’s pick: West Washington 73, Medora 33.

By GREG MENGELT

Class A No. 2 Lanesville (20-1) puts its 16-game winning streak on the line against a Salem (10-6) team that is starting to build some momentum heading toward February’s postseason.

In fact, the Eagles and Lions are the last two Hoosier Hills Hoops Teams of the Week.

Lanesville, which has won four straight Southern Athletic Conference titles and has won 20 games for the third consecutive season, is looking forward to playing a program that has dominated Southern Indiana the last five years.

“This team has been on the fast track for establishing its own identity after losing three seniors who had started for four years, including Gracie Adams who is (Lanesville’s) all-time leading scorer,” said Lanesville coach Angie Hinton, who is 82-16 as the Eagles’ head coach. “Playing teams like Salem provide us with the type of competition that will help make us tournament-ready. Salem is a very talented veteran team. They are well coached and their size and physicality will definitely be a good test for our kids.”

The Eagles are led by junior Linzie Wernert, who is averaging 15 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.5 steals and 2.8 assists, but Lanesville is far from a one-player team.

“This team is very balanced as well as very unselfish,” Hinton said. “

Salem coach Jerry Hickey is impressed by what Lanesville has accomplished this season.

“They play extremely hard and are a disciplined, well coached team who have a chance to make a deep run in the tournament,” he said.

After winning 22, 24, 25 and 20 games the past four seasons, the Lions have been a little inconsistent in 2021-22, but they’re starting to play good basketball. Salem beat Scottsburg 71-59 and Jeffersonville 38-37 last week.

“We are coming off a good week where we have seen several players raise their game due to missing a couple of key players to injury,” Hickey said. “We are excited to play a great team in Lanesville and know that it will be a big challenge traveling down there on Senior Night.”

GAME OF THE NIGHT
SALEM AT LANESVILLE
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Lanesville H.S. (2725 Crestview Ave. NE, Lanesville)
• Records:
Salem 10-6. The Lions have won their last two and four of their last six.
Lanesville 20-1. The top-ranked Eagles have won 16 straight games.
• Coaches:
Salem — Jerry Hickey (147-71 in ninth season at Salem)
Lanesville — Angie Hinton (82-16 in fourth season at Lanesville, 255-89 in 15th season overall)
• Rankings:
Lanesville — No. 2 AP (Class A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Salem — No. 69, No. 16 Class 3A
Lanesville — No. 55, No. 2 Class A
• Most recent game:
Salem — Defeated Jeffersonville 38-37 (Jan. 15)
Lanesville — Won at Eastern 36-25 (Jan. 15)
• Last 20 years: Salem 6-0. The Lions dominated the series in the past, but the last time the programs met was more than a decade ago.
• Most recent meeting: Nov. 12, 2011 — At Salem 63, Lanesville 35.
• John Harrell prediction: Lanesville 48, Salem 42.
• Sagarin projection: Lanesville by 8.
• Outlook: Harrell is taking Lanesville by 6. Sagarin says the Eagles by 8. If they’re able to beat Salem, it’s further proof they’re the best Class A team around.
• Greg’s pick: Lanesville 51, Salem 49.

NORTH HARRISON AT CORYDON CENTRAL
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Corydon Central H.S. (375 Country Club Rd., Corydon)
• Records:
North Harrison 9-8, 3-3 MSC. The Lady Cats have lost four in a row.
Corydon Central 16-2, 6-1 MSC. The Panthers have won four straight and nine of their last 10.
• Coaches:
North Harrison — Jamie Kolkmeier (21-14 in second season at North Harrison)
Corydon Central — Josh Conrad (26-13 in second season at Corydon, 145-106 in 11th season overall)
• Rankings:
Corydon Central — No. 11 AP (Class 3A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
North Harrison — No. 165, No. 50 Class 3A
Corydon Central — No. 56, No. 12 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
North Harrison — Lost to Austin 59-42 (Jan. 13)
Corydon Central — Defeated Forest Park 57-34 (Jan. 11)
• Last 20 years: North Harrison 15-11. The Lady Cats have beaten Corydon nine of the last 10 times they’ve played the Big Cat Classic.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 19, 2021 — At North Harrison 57, Corydon Central 53.
• News & notes: With a win, the Panthers put themselves in position to tie Silver Creek for the Mid-Southern Conference title. Corydon needs Eastern to win at Silver Creek, which isn’t likely, but there’s a chance.
• John Harrell prediction: Corydon Central 58, North Harrison 39.
• Sagarin projection: Corydon Central by 25.
• Outlook: North Harrison may have had something for Corydon a month ago. Not so sure it does now.
• Greg’s pick: Corydon Central 64, North Harrison 33.

NEW ALBANY AT CHARLESTOWN
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Charlestown Sports Arena (1 Pirate Place, Charlestown)
• Records:
New Albany 5-14. The Bulldogs have lost six straight.
Charlestown 13-5. The Pirates have won their last three.
• Coaches:
New Albany — Shelby Gliebe (11-30 in second season at New Albany, 15-49 in third season overall)
Charlestown — Scott Matthews (79-57 in sixth season at Charlestown)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
New Albany — No. 155, No. 63 Class 4A
Charlestown — No. 59, No. 13 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
New Albany — Lost at Columbus East 82-42 (Jan. 15)
Charlestown — Won at Eastern 49-40 (Jan. 11)
• Last 20 years: New Albany 10-4.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 19, 2021 — At New Albany 52, Charlestown 49.
• John Harrell prediction: Charlestown 56, New Albany 38.
• Sagarin projection: Charlestown by 21.
• Outlook: Charlestown has been overshadowed by the likes of Silver Creek, Corydon and Lanesville … and that’s too bad because the Pirates are really good.
• Greg’s pick: Charlestown 62, New Albany 47.

SEYMOUR AT JEFFERSONVILLE
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: William S. Johnson Arena, Jeffersonville H.S. (2315 Allison Ln., Jeffersonville)
• Records:
Seymour 9-9, 1-3 HHC. The Owls have lost three of their last four.
Jeffersonville 7-7, 1-3 HHC. The Red Devils have lost four straight games.
• Coaches:
Seymour — Jason Longmeier (121-101 in 10th season at Seymour, 155-151 season overall)
Jeffersonville — Missy Voyles (13-19 in second season at Jeff, 283-133 in 18th season overall)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Seymour — No. 106, No. 52 Class 4A
Jeffersonville — No. 70, No. 43 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
Seymour — Lost to Center Grove 51-31 (Jan. 15)
Jeffersonville — Lost to Salem 38-37 (Jan. 15)
• Last 20 years: Jeffersonville 16-8. The Red Devils have beaten Seymour five of the last six time they’ve faced off.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 19, 2021 — At Seymour 55, Jeffersonville 38.
• John Harrell prediction: Jeffersonville 53, Seymour 41.
• Sagarin projection: Jeffersonville by 11.
• Outlook: The Red Devils have to be a little rusty, but they should be able to use the home court to their advantage.
• Greg’s pick: Jeffersonville 49, Seymour 45.

COLUMBUS NORTH AT SILVER CREEK
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Silver Creek H.S. (557 Renz Ave., Sellersburg)
• Records:
Columbus North 11-7. The Bull Dogs have lost two of their last three.
Silver Creek 18-1. The Dragons have won six consecutive games.
• Coaches:
North — Brett White (11-7 in first season at North)
Silver Creek — Scott Schoen (173-109 in 12th season at Silver Creek)
• Rankings:
Silver Creek — No. 9 IBCA (single class); No. 4 AP (Class 3A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
North — No. 57, No. 40 Class 4A
Silver Creek — No. 18, No. 3 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
North — Won at Lawrenceburg 41-29 (Jan. 15)
Silver Creek — Won at Austin 60-24 (Jan. 15)
• Last 20 years: Silver Creek 1-0.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 19, 2021 — Silver Creek 71, at North 55.
• John Harrell prediction: Silver Creek 54, North 41.
• Sagarin projection: Silver Creek by 13.
• Outlook: I’m guessing Silver Creek will do what it usually does … win going away.
• Greg’s pick: Silver Creek 66, Columbus North 50.

BORDEN AT SOUTH CENTRAL
• Time: 6:30 p.m.
• Location: South Central H.S. Main Gym (6675 E. Hwy. 11 S.E., Elizabeth)
• Records:
Borden 10-8, 3-1 SAC. The Braves have lost four of their last six.
South Central 1-11, 1-3 SAC. The Rebels have lost five in a row but hasn’t played since Jan. 4.
• Coaches:
Borden — Matt Vick (44-64 in fifth season at Borden)
South Central — Lynne Thomas (4-45 in third season at South Central)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Borden — No. 319, No. 60 Class A
South Central — No. 377, No. 83 Class A
• Most recent game:
Borden — Lost at Floyd Central 49-32 (Jan. 17)
South Central — Lost at Lanesville 82-5 (Jan. 4)
• Last 20 years: South Central 21-13. Borden has a 5-game winning streak vs. the Rebels.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 22, 2021 — At Borden 53, South Central 32.
• John Harrell prediction: Borden 53, South Central 32.
• Sagarin projection: Borden by 17.
• Outlook: Borden seems to be gaining momentum heading into February.
• Greg’s pick: Borden 38, South Central 21.

HENRYVILLE AT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Christian Academy of Indiana (1000 Academy Dr., New Albany)
• Records:
Henryville 7-9. The Hornets have won four of their last six.
Christian Academy 6-10. The Warriors have won four of their last six.
• Coaches:
Henryville — Tuesday Guernsey (22-36 in third season at Henryville)
CAI — Carson Casey (14-45 in third season at CAI)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Henryville — No. 329, No. 83 Class 2A
CAI — No. 353, No. 74 Class A
• Most recent game:
Henryville — Defeated Orleans 31-25 (Jan. 8)
CAI — Defeated Clarksville 42-24 (Jan. 13)
• Last 20 years: Henryville 22-6. The Hornets have a 3-game winning streak vs. CAI.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 19, 2021 — At Henryville 47, CAI 23.
• John Harrell prediction: Henryville 39, CAI 34.
• Sagarin projection: Henryville by 3.
• Outlook: It appears that Henryville is a little bit better than the Warriors … but not too much.
• Greg’s pick: Henryville 40, CAI 33.

CROTHERSVILLE AT AUSTIN
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Austin H.S. (401 South Highway 31, Austin)
• Records:
Crothersville 3-11. The Tigers have lost five of their last six.
Austin 6-10. The Eagles have lost two of their last three but have won four of their last six.
• Coaches:
Crothersville — Kevin Hensley (116-170 in 13th season at Crothersville)
Austin — Jared Petersen (237-174 in 17th season at Austin)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Crothersville — No. 378, No. 84 Class A
Austin — No. 185, No. 41 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
Crothersville — Defeated Dugger Union 35-34 (Jan. 15)
Austin — Lost to Silver Creek 60-24 (Jan. 15)
• Last 20 years: Austin 21-0.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 19, 2021 — Austin 68, at Crothersville 49.
• John Harrell prediction: Austin 70, Crothersville 21.
• Sagarin projection: Austin by 46.
• Outlook: Even when the Tigers have been good they haven’t beaten Austin. They certainly won’t this year.
• Greg’s pick: Austin 63, Crothersville 22.

SHAWE MEMORIAL AT NEW WASHINGTON
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: James Matthews Gymnasium (a.k.a. The Jim), New Washington H.S. (226 N. Highway 62, New Washington)
• Records:
Shawe 7-7. The Hilltoppers have won three of their last five.
New Washington 9-8. The Mustangs currently have a 4-game winning streak.
• Coaches:
Shawe — Terry King (22-49 in fourth season at Shawe, 85-100 in 10th season overall)
New Washington — Kirsti Holloway (64-91 in seventh season at New Wash)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Shawe — No. 344, No. 70 Class A
New Washington — No. 231, No. 30 Class A
• Most recent game:
Shawe — Lost to Milan 45-39 (Jan. 13)
New Washington — Defeated Providence 53-36 (Jan. 11)
• Last 20 years: New Wash 17-3. The Mustangs have won four in a row against Shawe.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 21, 2021 — At New Washington 54, Shawe 30.
• John Harrell prediction: New Washington 54, Shawe 26.
• Sagarin projection: New Washington by 26.
• Outlook: New Wash will reach double digit wins for the fifth time in six years.
• Greg’s pick: New Washington 52, Shawe 20.

By GREG MENGELT

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — Towson made Langdon Hatton and William & Mary their latest victim as the Tigers improved their winning streak to four games with a 91-69 victory over the Tribe on Monday at Kaplan Arena.

A 14-0 run — that took the Tigers’ lead from 2 to 16 — late in the first half helped Towson pull away and improve to 13-5 overall and 4-1 in the Colonial Athletic Association

Hatton, a freshman and former North Harrison standout, finished with eight points and five rebounds in 17 minutes off the Tribe bench. William & Mary was led by 14 points from senior guard Brandon Carroll’s 14 points and sophomore forward Ben Wight’s 13.

Hatton and the Tribe (3-14, 2-2 CAA) go to Delaware on Thursday for a 7 p.m. tip. The Blue Hens won at Northeastern 82-76 in overtime Monday to improve to 12-6 overall and 3-2 in the conference.

By GREG MENGELT

BOSTON — Romeo Langford went scoreless in 5 minutes off the Boston Celtics’ bench in Monday’s 104-92 win over the New Orleans Pelicans at TD Garden.

The former New Albany and Indiana University star, who has seen his role diminish over the past week or so, was 0 for 2 from the field.

Three Celtics (23-22) scored in double figures in the win. Jayson Tatum finished with 27, while Dennis Schroder and Jaylen Brown had 23 apiece.

Jonas Valaniunas finished with 22 points to lead New Orleans, which is now 16-28 on the season.

Langford and the Celtics host Charlotte, which improved to 24-20 with a 97-87 road win over the Knicks on Monday, on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

By GREG MENGELT

RENO, Nev. — After a playing even for the first 27 minutes Monday, Wyoming pulled away from host Nevada for 77-67 Mountain West Conference victory at the Lawlor Center.

The Cowboys outscored Nevada 30-20 over the final 11 minutes and 38 seconds to improve to 13-2 overall and 2-0 in MWC play.

Former Jeffersonville star Tre Coleman finished with six points in 30 minutes off the Wolf Pack bench. The sophomore was 2 for 6 from the field and 2 for 2 at the free throw line and finished the contest with 2 rebounds and a steal.

The Wolf Pack were led by junior guard Grant Sherfield, who had with 20 points in defeat. Wyoming sophomore forward Graham Ike and senior guard Drake Jeffries combined for 44 points in the win. Ike finished with 24 points and 11 rebounds and Jeffries added 20 points.

The Wolf Pack hosts Fresno State at 11 p.m. Friday. The Bulldogs, who have won three of their last four games, are 12-3 overall and 2-1 in the MWC.

By GREG MENGELT

The Highlanders have been playing their best basketball of late. They’ve won three of their last five and the only two losses since Christmas came against teams with a combined 37-3 record.

Borden is having a strong season in its fifth under Matt Vick. The Braves beat Orleans 43-42 on Thursday to clinch its third straight double digit-win season. Floyd beat the Braves 60-23 last season in the program’s first matchup in at least 20 years.

In Monday’s other game, Rock Creek looks for its eighth win of the season when it hosts Portland Christian (Ky.). The Lions are 7-0 all time against Portland Christian, but the Eagles are 10-3 this season. So that should be an interesting showdown at Rock Creek.

GAME OF THE NIGHT
BORDEN AT FLOYD CENTRAL
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Joe Hinton Court, Floyd Central H.S. (6575 Old Vincennes Rd., Floyds Knobs)
• Records:
Borden 10-7. The Braves have won five of their last nine.
Floyd Central 6-11. The Highlanders have won three of their last five.
• Coaches:
Borden — Matt Vick (44-63 in fifth season at Borden)
Floyd Central — Randy Gianfagna (26-58 in fourth season at Floyd)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Borden — No. 319, No. 60 Class A
Floyd Central — No. 116, No. 54 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
Borden — Defeated Orleans 43-42 (Jan. 13)
Floyd Central — Lost at Bedford North Lawrence 62-28 (Jan. 15)
• Last 20 years: Floyd Central 1-0.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 14, 2020 — At Floyd Central 36, Borden 24.
• John Harrell prediction: Floyd Central 60, Borden 23.
• Sagarin projection: Floyd by 34.
• Outlook: This is a rare 4A vs. A matchup. It should go exactly as expected.
• Greg’s pick: Floyd Central 53, Borden 33.

PORTLAND CHRISTIAN (KY.) AT ROCK CREEK
• Time: 6:30 p.m.
• Location: Rock Creek Academy/Restoration Christian Church (8000 Diefenbach Ln., Sellersburg)
• Records:
Portland Christian 10-3. The Eagles have won four of their last five.
Rock Creek 7-8. The Lions have lost four in a row.
• Coaches:
Portland Christian — Jason Bragg (Coaching record unavailable)
Rock Creek — Sara Nord (9-17 in second season at Rock Creek)
• Most recent game:
Portland Christian — Lost to Holy Cross (Ky.) by forfeit (Jan. 14, Sixth Region All “A” Classic)
Rock Creek — Lost to Lanesville 58-18 (Jan. 13)
• Last 20 years: Rock Creek 7-0.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 12, 2019 — At Rock Creek 71, Portland Christian 45.
• News & notes: With a win Monday, Rock Creek will reach double-digit wins for the first time since 2004-05. It would be just their second-ever 10-win season. They went 14-8 in 2004-05.
• Outlook: Looks like Portland Christian is quite good this year. With Rock Creek just coming back from more than a month away, it’s hard to pick against the Eagles despite the Lions’ 7-game winning streak against them.
• Greg’s pick: Portland Christian 49, Rock Creek 42.