By GREG MENGELT

The following night, McIntire scored 10 points in the Cougars’ 56-52 overtime win over Scottsburg.

McIntire and the Cougars, who are 7-2 and have won three in a row, play a pair of home games this weekend against Eastern (Friday) and Floyd Central (Saturday).

WEEK’S TOP PERFORMANCES
• Tucker Biven, New Albany: With two starters out, Biven put up 30 points and four rebounds in the Bulldogs’ 94-56 loss to Cathedral on Saturday. Biven was 10 for 20 from the field, including 6 of 16 from behind the 3-point line. “Tucker Biven really played well against one of the best teams in the state,” New Alban coach Jim Shannon said. “They were trying hard to guard him sometimes with more than one player, but they had trouble containing him.”
• Marial Diper, Rock Creek: The Lions’ 6-foot-11 junior finished with 12 points, 14 rebounds and six blocked shots as Rock Creek run as Borden in a 57-42 victory Saturday.
• Brady Dunn, Christian Academy: The CAI senior averaged 18 points, nine rebounds and four assists as the Warriors went 1-1 last week. Dunn finished with 30 points, nine rebounds and three assists a 63-47 win at New Washington.
• Sam Guernsey, Henryville: Guernsey had 20 points, going 9 for 13 from the field and 2 for 2 at the foul line, in the Hornets’ 57-28 win over Trinity Lutheran on Saturday. He also had six rebounds and three steals in the victory. “Sam is the type of kid that puts his hard hat on and goes to work,” Henryville coach Jared Hill said. “He never complains and just does his job and he does it pretty well.”

By GREG MENGELT

The Class A No. 1 Eagles improved to 17-1 and 5-0 in the conference (for the fourth straight year) by beating rival South Central 82-5 and Crothersville 81-12 last week.

The Eagles have won 13 games in a row. They go to Class A No. 8 Trinity Lutheran (11-5) on Tuesday, Rock Creek (7-6) on Thursday and Eastern (10-7) on Saturday as they look to continue gaining momentum heading into February as one of the favorites in Class A.

By GREG MENGELT

Wernert started the week with 27 points, 13 rebounds, six steals and five assists as the Class A No. 1 Eagles (17-1) crushed rival South Central (1-11) 82-5 on Tuesday. On Saturday, Lanesville defeated Crothersville (2-7) 81-12 to clinch its fourth consecutive league crown.

The Eagles go to Trinity Lutheran (11-5) to take on the Class A No. 8 Cougars on Tuesday before going to Rock Creek (Thursday) and Eastern (Saturday) later this week.

WEEK’S TOP PERFORMERS
• Grace Denis, Providence: Denis scored 32 points in Providence went 2-0 last week. She put up 15 points in the Pioneers’ 49-14 win over Clarksville on Friday then finished with 17 points in Providence’s 57-6 triumph over Providence Cristo Rey on Saturday.
• Grace Ellison, New Washington: Ellison scored 20 points twice during the Mustangs’ unbeaten week. In Wednesday’s 45-32 win over Henryville, the senior had 20 points, six rebounds and an assist. She then had 20 points, four rebounds, two steals and an assist as New Wash defeated Clarksville 59-20 on Saturday.
• Elle Richardson, Scottsburg: The freshman point guard had 10 points, eight rebounds, four assists and four steals Scottsburg’s big 46-43 win at Seymour last Tuesday.
• Morgan Sonner, Lanesville: The Eagles’ junior center had 28 points, 16 rebounds and six assists as Lanesville defeated South Central and Crothersville. She finished with 16 points, eight boards and three assists against the Rebels and 12 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three blocked shots in the win over the Tigers.
• Hillary White, Henryville: The Hornet sophomore had a pair of 15-point performance last week. In a 45-32 loss to New Washington on Wednesday, White finished with 15 points, five rebounds and a pair of assists. She then had 15 points, two boards and two steals in Saturday’s 31-25 win over Orelans.

By GREG MENGELT

To say New Albany has been inconsistent this year would be an understatement.

The Bulldogs have played three different teams that have been ranked No. 1 this season. All three have been losses but by various means. They nearly beat Zionsville (9-1) at home before falling in overtime, hung tough with defending state champion Carmel (9-3) on the road then were beaten by 28 points at home by preseason No. 1 Cathedral (10-3).

The other thing New Albany has done is beat they teams it should.

What the Bulldogs haven’t done much is play games that are considered tossups. That’s what Tuesday’s game against Southwestern (7-4) should be. The Rebels have been one of the area’s top 2A teams for about a half-decade and should provide a strong road test for the Bulldogs in the Hoosier Hills Hoops Game of the Night.

It should give us a better idea of just how good — or not good — New Albany is in 2021-22.

In the night’s other game, South Central (4-7), which is coming off wins over Lanesville and Crothersville last weekend, travels to West Washington to take on the 2-9 Senators.

GAME OF THE NIGHT
NEW ALBANY AT SOUTHWESTERN
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Delbert O. King Gymnasium, Southwestern H.S. (167 S. Main Cross St., Hanover)
• Records:
New Albany 4-5. The Bulldogs have won two of their last three games.
Southwestern 7-4. The Rebels have lost three of their last four.
• Coaches:
New Albany — Jim Shannon (433-132 in 24th season at New Albany, 598-270 in 38th season overall)
Southwestern — Zac Nussbaum (32-12 in third season at Southwestern)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
New Albany — No. 104, No. 58 Class 4A
Southwestern — No. 96, No. 10 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
New Albany — Lost to Cathedral 94-56 (Jan. 8)
Southwestern — Won at Trimble County (Ky.) 78-66 (Jan. 8)
• Last 20 years: New Albany 1-0.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 12, 2021 — At New Albany 79, Southwestern 54.
• News & notes: Shannon is two wins from being the sixth active coach with 600 career victories.
• John Harrell prediction: Southwestern 57, New Albany 53.
• Sagarin projection: Southwestern by 5.
• Outlook: Just like the Seymour game, the projections say New Albany is going to lose this game. It’s not happening.
• Greg’s pick: New Albany 58, Southwestern 49.

SOUTH CENTRAL AT WEST WASHINGTON
• Time: 6 p.m.
• Location: Tower Gymnasium, West Washington H.S. (8028 W. Batt Rd., Campbellsburg)
• Records:
South Central 4-7. The Rebels have won their last two games and three of their last five.
West Washington 2-9. The Senators have lost three straight … by 9 combined points (including a double overtime loss against Edinburgh in their last outing).
• Coaches:
South Central — Greg Robinson (177-175 in 16th season at South Central, 199-238 season overall)
West Washington — Clayton Sullivan (41-45 in fourth season at West Washington)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
South Central — No. 284, No. 44 Class A
West Washington — No. 331, No. 60 Class A
• Most recent game:
South Central — Defeated Mitchell 56-40 (Jan. 8)
West Washington — Lost to Edinburgh 46-45 (2OT)
• Last 20 years: West Washington 3-1.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 22, 2018 — South Central 47, West Washington 43.
• News & notes: Robinson can pick up career win No. 200 with South Central win Tuesday.
• John Harrell prediction: West Washington 52, South Central 50.
• Sagarin projection: South Central by 2.
• Outlook: Two even teams, probably should take the side with the homecourt advantage, but I have a feeling the Senators leave with the win.
• Greg’s pick: West Washington 60, South Central 59.

By GREG MENGELT

Class A No. 1 Lanesville (17-1) has won 13 games in a row and takes on No. 8 Trinity Lutheran (11-5) in Tuesday’s Hoosier Hills Hoops Game of the Night.

The Cougars started the season 6-0 but have stumbled a bit of late against a tough schedule. Still, Trinity Lutheran will almost certainly be an obstacle Lanesville will have to overcome to win the program’s first regional championship.

The Eagles should win going away. If they do, it’s a sign that big things may be ahead for top-ranked Lanesville.

Also Tuesday, Charlestown (12-5) takes on Eastern (10-7) in a matchup of two of the Mid-Southern Conference’s best, Class A Borden (9-7) travels to Floyd Central (6-10) to take on the 4A Highlanders, Class 3A No. 11 Corydon Central (15-2) hosts Class 2A No. 4 Forest Park (14-2), Providence (5-11) goes to New Washington (8-8) for what should be a competitive game, Henryville (7-9) battles Austin (5-9) in another interesting contest, defending 3A champion Silver Creek (16-1) host Madison (10-6) and Scottsburg (10-7) hosts Paoli (11-7).

GAME OF THE NIGHT
LANESVILLE AT TRINITY LUTHERAN
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Trinity Lutheran H.S. (1 Trinity Way, Seymour)
• Records:
Lanesville 17-1. The top-ranked Eagles have won 13 straight.
Trinity Lutheran 11-5. The Cougars have lost 2 of 3 but have won four of their last six.
• Coaches:
Lanesville — Angie Hinton (79-16 in fourth season at Lanesville, 252-89 in 15th season overall)
Trinity Lutheran — Mike Lang (178-83 in 11th season at Trinity)
• Rankings:
Lanesville — No. 1 AP (Class A).
Trinity Lutheran — No. 8 AP (Class A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Lanesville — No. 46, No. 2 Class A
Trinity Lutheran — No. 154, No. 12 Class A
• Most recent game:
Lanesville — Defeated Crothersville 81-12 (Jan. 8)
Trinity Lutheran — Defeated Greenwood Christian 67-50 (Jan. 4)
• Last 20 years: 10-10.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 14, 2021 — Trinity Lutheran 71, at Lanesville 64.
• News & notes: Trinity Lutheran was one of three programs to defeat Lanesville last season.
• John Harrell prediction: Lanesville 55, Trinity Lutheran 34.
• Sagarin projection: Lanesville by 16.
• Outlook: It’s becoming pretty obvious that Lanesville has few (if any) peers in Class A.
• Greg’s pick: Lanesville 62, Trinity Lutheran 39.

CHARLESTOWN AT EASTERN
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Eastern H.S. (1100 N. Eastern School Rd., Pekin)
• Records:
Charlestown 12-5, 4-2 MSC. The Pirates have won their last two games.
Eastern 10-7, 1-4 MSC. The Musketeers have lost three of their last four.
• Coaches:
Charlestown — Scott Matthews (78-57 in sixth season at Charlestown)
Eastern — Michael McBride (229-122 in 15th season at Eastern)
• Rankings:
Eastern — No. 12 AP (Class 2A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Charlestown — No. 60, No. 13 Class 3A
Eastern — No. 103, No. 17 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
Charlestown — Won at Brownstown Central 43-36 (Jan. 8)
Eastern — Lost to Corydon Central 49-29 (Jan. 8)
• Last 20 years: Eastern 12-11. The Musketeers have a 6-game winning streak in the series.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 12, 2021 — Eastern 54, at Charlestown 47.
• John Harrell prediction: Charlestown 47, Eastern 39.
• Sagarin projection: Charlestown by 6.
• Outlook: Eastern is probably going to finish with 11 or 12 losses and they’re pretty darn good. That’s how good the Mid-Southern Conference is this year.
• Greg’s pick: Charlestown 59, Eastern 47.

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 9-7. The Braves have lost two straight and three of their last four.
Floyd Central 6-10. The Highlanders have won three of their last four.
• Coaches:
Borden — Matt Vick (43-63 in fifth season at Borden)
Floyd Central — Randy Gianfagna (26-57 in fourth season at Floyd)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Borden — No. 316, No. 59 Class A
Floyd Central — No. 109, No. 52 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
Borden — Lost to Paoli 57-13 (Jan. 8)
Floyd Central — Defeated New Albany 42-38 (Jan. 8)
• Last 20 years: Floyd Central 1-0.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 14, 2020 — At Floyd Central 36, Borden 24.
• News & notes: The Highlanders are one victory away from last year’s win total.
• John Harrell prediction: Floyd Central 60, Borden 23.
• Sagarin projection: Floyd Central by 35.
• Outlook: Borden’s schedule suddenly got really difficult.
• Greg’s pick: Floyd Central 59, Borden 37.

PROVIDENCE 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:
Providence 5-11. The Pioneers have won two straight and three of their last four.
New Washington 8-8. The Mustangs have won three in a row.
• Coaches:
Providence — Brad Burden (164-159 in 14th season at Providence)
New Washington — Kirsti Holloway (63-91 in seventh season at New Wash)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Providence — No. 300, No. 77 Class 2A
New Washington — No. 223, No. 28 Class A
• Most recent game:
Providence — Defeated Providence Cristo Rey 57-6 (Jan. 8)
New Washington — Won at Clarksville 59-20 (Jan. 8)
• Last 20 years: New Washington 13-8. Providence has won six of the last seven in the series.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 12, 2021 — At Providence 40, New Washington 36.
• John Harrell prediction: New Washington 47, Providence 34.
• Sagarin projection: New Washington by 15.
• Outlook: Wouldn’t be surprised if Providence keeps this close, but New Wash should win.
• Greg’s pick: New Washington 39, Providence 33.

HENRYVILLE AT AUSTIN
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Austin H.S. (401 South Highway 31, Austin)
• Records:
Henryville 7-9. The Hornets have won five of their last seven games.
Austin 5-9. The Eagles have won three of their last four after starting 2-8.
• Coaches:
Henryville — Tuesday Guernsey (22-36 in third season at Henryville)
Austin — Jared Petersen (236-173 in 17th season at Austin)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Henryville — No. 334, No. 84 Class 2A
Austin — No. 198, No. 45 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
Henryville — Defeated Orleans 31-25 (Jan. 8)
Austin — Lost at Crawford County 74-73, OT (Jan. 4)
• Last 20 years: Austin 10-0.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 12, 2021 — Austin 31, at Henryville 23.
• John Harrell prediction: Austin 54, Henryville 27.
• Sagarin projection: Austin by 28.
• Outlook: The Eagles have dominated this series and will continue to do so.
• Greg’s pick: Austin 53, Henryville 30.

MADISON AT SILVER CREEK
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Silver Creek H.S. (557 Renz Ave., Sellersburg)
• Records:
Madison 10-6. The Cubs had their 6-game winning streak snapped last Friday by Charlestown.
Silver Creek 16-1. The Dragons have won four games in a row.
• Coaches:
Madison — Sonja Bowyer (47-41 in fourth season at Madison)
Silver Creek — Scott Schoen (171-109 in 12th season at Silver Creek)
• Rankings:
Silver Creek — No. 8 IBCA (single class); No. 4 AP (Class 3A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Madison — No. 96, No. 27 Class 3A
Silver Creek — No. 20, No. 3 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Madison — Lost to Charlestown 39-26 (Jan. 7)
Silver Creek — Defeated Salem 41-31 (Jan. 8)
• Last 20 years: Madison 15-9. Silver Creek beat the Cubs twice last season, including in the sectional semifinal round en route to its first state championship. Overall, the Dragons have won four in a row in the series.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 5, 2021 — Silver Creek 51, at Madison 36 (Class 3A Madison Sectional semifinal).
• John Harrell prediction: Silver Creek 59, Madison 36.
• Sagarin projection: Silver Creek by 22.
• Outlook: The Dragons just keep rolling along as February quickly approaches.
• Greg’s pick: Silver Creek 68, Madison 45.

FOREST PARK AT CORYDON CENTRAL
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Corydon Central H.S. (375 Country Club Rd., Corydon)
• Records:
Forest Park 14-2. The Rangers have won three straight and 11 of their last 12.
Corydon Central 15-2. The Panthers have won three in a row and eight of their last nine.
• Coaches:
Forest Park — Tony Hasenour (92-47 in sixth season at Forest Park)
Corydon Central — Josh Conrad (25-13 in second season at Corydon, 144-106 in 11th season overall)
• Rankings:
Forest Park — No. 4 AP (Class 2A).
Corydon Central — No. 11 AP (Class 3A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Forest Park — No. 69, No. 7 Class 2A
Corydon Central — No. 56, No. 12 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Forest Park — Defeated Pike Central 68-34 (Jan. 8)
Corydon Central — Won at Eastern 49-29 (Jan. 8)
• Last 20 years: Forest Park 8-7. The Rangers have won four in a row against Corydon.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 12, 2021 — At Forest Park 49, Corydon Central 30.
• John Harrell prediction: Corydon Central 50, Forest Park 43.
• Sagarin projection: Corydon Central by 8.
• Outlook: The Panthers have had a hard time with Forest Park lately. Not this time.
• Greg’s pick: Corydon Central 56, Forest Park 46.

PAOLI AT SCOTTSBURG
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Charles E. Meyer Gymnasium (1 Jim Barley Way, Scottsburg)
• Records:
Paoli 11-7. The Rams have won three in a row and six of their last eight.
Scottsburg 10-7. The Warriorettes have alternated wins and losses over their last 11 games.
• Coaches:
Paoli — Donavan Crews (21-13 in second season at Paoli)
Scottsburg — Carrie Daniels (18-22 in second season at Scottsburg, 121-78 in seventh season overall)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Paoli — No. 155, No. 34 Class 2A
Scottsburg — No. 87, No. 24 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Paoli — Defeated Borden 57-13 (Jan. 8)
Scottsburg — Won at Seymour 46-43 (Jan. 4)
• Last 20 years: Paoli 1-0.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 12, 2021 — At Paoli 53, Scottsburg 46.
• John Harrell prediction: Scottsburg 50, Paoli 40.
• Sagarin projection: Scottsburg by 13.
• Outlook: Paoli’s having a really nice season and has the ability to pull off an upset if the Warriorettes don’t play well.
• Greg’s pick: Scottsburg 61, Paoli 50.

By GREG MENGELT

Floyd Central entered the single-class Indiana Basketball Association poll at No. 20 this week.

The IBCA poll, which was released Sunday, has the Highlanders in the top 20 for the first time this season. Floyd is 7-2 and has won four of its last five. One of the Highlanders’ losses came against Jeffersontown (10-3) out of Kentucky and the other was No. 13 Pike (7-1). They have a big week this week when they host Jeffersonville (2-5) on Friday and go to North Harrison (7-2) on Saturday.

Westfield (9-2) got 18 of the 20 first-place votes and is the landslide No. 1 after beating then-No. 1 Carmel 43-42 on Saturday night. The Greyhounds (9-3) fell to No. 3 with Zionsville (9-1), which has also spent time atop the poll, in between. The Eagles got the other two first-place votes. Unbeaten Chesterton (11-0) is No. 4 and Fishers (12-2) rounds out the top five. Cathedral (10-3), which won at New Albany 94-56 on Saturday, is No. 6. The Irish were the preseason No. 1 team.

The Highlanders were the only local team of the 34 teams that received at least one votes. Regionally, Bloomfield (11-1), Bloomington North (9-3), Columbus North (8-5), Linton-Stockton (12-1) and North Daviess (12-1) received votes.

INDIANA BASKETBALL COACHES POLL
Rank, School (1st place votes) Record
1. Westfield (18) 9-2, 2. Zionsville (2) 9-1, 3. Carmel 9-3, 4. Chesterton 11-0, 5. Fishers 12-2, 6. Cathedral 9-3, 7. Homestead 9-1, 8. Brebeuf 8-2, 9. Valparaiso 11-2, 10. Indianapolis Tech 11-2, 11. Ben Davis 8, 2. 12. Lawrence North 7-2, 13. Pike 7-1, 14. Penn 8-1, 15. Central Noble 11-0, 16. Mishawaka Marian 9-2, 17. Fort Wayne Blackhawk 11-, 18. North Central 6-3, 19. Mt. Vernon (Fortville) 8-2, 20. Floyd Central 7-2.
Others receiving votes: Bloomfield 11-1, Bloomington North 9-3, Brownsburg 9-5, Chatard 11-0, Columbus North 8-5, Fort Wayne Snider 7-2, Lafayette Jefferson 10-2, Leo 8-1, Linton-Stockton 12-1, Monroe Central 10-0, New Castle 9-2, North Daviess 12-1, NorthWood 12-1, Terre Haute North 12-1, Warren Central 6-5.

NOTE: Records as of Sunday.