By GREG MENGELT

Preview capsules for girls’ basketball games on Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021.

CHARLESTOWN (3-1, 1-0 MSC) AT SILVER CREEK (2-0, 0-0)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Silver Creek High School, Sellersburg.
• Coaches:
Charlestown — Scott Matthews (69-53 in sixth season at Charlestown and overall).
Silver Creek — Scott Schoen (157-108 in 12th season at Silver Creek and overall).
• Rankings:
Silver Creek — No. 14 single class (IBCA); No. 3 Class 3A (ICGSA)
• Most recent game:
Charlestown — Defeated North Harrison 57-32 (Nov. 13).
Silver Creek — Defeated Seymour 80-59 (Nov. 12).
• Last 20 years: Silver Creek 21-17. The Dragons have beaten Charlestown five straight times. The two teams have split the last 34 rivalry games.
• Most recent meeting: Silver Creek 60, Charlestown 41 (sectional first round, Feb. 3).
• News and notes: Sophomore Kennedy Coleman scored 10 points in the first quarter as Charlestown ran out to a 26-9 lead on Saturday against North Harrison. The Pirates then outscored the Lady Cats 15-12 in the second quarter for a 41-21 halftime lead. Coleman finished with a game-high 17 points. … Emme Rooney scored 20 points to lead a balanced Silver Creek attack in the 30-point win over Seymour. Nine different Dragons scored in the win. Kynidi Mason-Striverson had 13 and Lacey Tingle scored 12 apiece in the win. … Creek led Seymour 64-36 through three quarters. … The Dragons had 11 3-pointers in the win. Rooney made four of them.
• Outlook: Charlestown had the Win of the Week when it beat North Harrison 57-32. It’s not just that the Pirates beat North Harrison. It’s how they did it. North Harrison was a team many considered to be third-best in the MSC after Silver Creek and Salem. The Cats led Jeffersonville most of the game in a one-point loss. This was a good team the Pirates faced … and it was no contest. But as good as the Pirates have looked, and they’ve been very good so far, still not sure they’re yet at a place where they can beat high-powered Silver Creek on the road.
• JohnHarrell.net prediction: Silver Creek 54, Charlestown 50.
• Greg’s pick: Silver Creek 68, Charlestown 51.

By GREG MENGELT

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Former Jeffersonville star Tre Coleman went 0-for-4 and had a scoreless night in Nevada’s 96-74 loss at Santa Clara on Tuesday.

Coleman had three rebounds and a steal for the Wolfpack, who fall to 1-2 with the loss.

Nevada was a two-point favorite entering the contest. Santa Clara, which was coming off an 88-72 upset of Stanford last Friday, is now 3-0 on the season. The Broncos had four players in double figures, led by 19 points from junior forward Parker Braun. Junior guard Jalen Williams — the team’s leading scorer coming in — added 18, along with senior forward Keshawn Justice. The Broncos shot 52.9 percent and made 12 of their 15 free throws in the victory.

Nevada junior guard Grant Sherfield was the game’s leading scorer with 23 points. The Wolfpack, who turned the ball over 15 times and shot just 39.1 percent, go to San Francisco on Thursday night for their next contest. The Dons are 4-0 with an impressive 65-60 win over Davidson on their resume.

Nevada then go to Sioux Falls, S.D., for the Crossover Classic, which includes games against South Dakota State (Nov. 22), George Mason (Nov. 23) and Washington (Nov. 24). Coleman and the Wolfpack can be seen on ESPN Plus all three games of Thanksgiving week.

By GREG MENGELT

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — It’s been a hot start for Josh Jefferson and his Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders. On Tuesday, the New Albany graduate scored five points in his team’s 76-65 win over a Winthrop team expected to be an NCAA Tournament team — and a potential Cinderella — in March.

Jefferson led the team in assists and steals with three each. He was 1-for-5 from the field and perfect at the line in 3 attempts. His 3-point play gave Middle Tennessee a 53-45 lead with 13:17 left to play. That was the Raiders’ largest lead of the night.

Winthrop, which came in 2-0 off victories over Mary Baldwin and Mercer, led 36-33 at the half. However, the Blue Raiders scored the first 10 points of the second half and never trailed again. The Eagles cut the deficit to 57-54 before Middle Tennessee closed on a 19-11 run.

It was the first game Jefferson didn’t lead the Raiders in scoring. That honor belonged to junior forward Deandre Dishman and senior guard Donovan Sims, who had 16 points apiece Tuesday. D.J. Burns and Josh Corbin scored 14 each for the Eagles, who were just 10-of-19 from the foul line.

Middle Tennessee, which won despite shooting just 43.6 percent overall and 22.2 percent from 3-point line, goes to Stephen F. Austin for its next contest Friday. The Lumberjacks are 2-1 and moved to the Western Athletic Conference during the offseason. Jefferson and the Raiders can be seen on ESPN Plus on Friday.

By GREG MENGELT

Preview capsules for girls’ basketball games on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021.

BORDEN (2-1, 0-0 SAC) AT CROTHERSVILLE (0-1, 0-0)
• Time: 6 p.m.
• Location: Crothersville High School.
• Coaches:
Borden — Matt Vick (36-57 in fifth season at Borden and overall).
Crothersville — Kevin Hensley (113-160 in 13th season at Crothersville and overall).
• Most recent game:
Borden — Won at Clarksville 37-27 (Nov. 11).
Crothersville — Lost at Clarksville 42-21 (Nov. 9).
• Last 20 years: Crothersville 12-8. Crothersville had won five straight against the Braves before last year.
• Most recent meeting: At Borden 34, Crothersville 23 (Nov. 17, 2020).
• News and notes: This is the fourth year in a row Borden has started its season 2-1.  … The Braves outscored Clarksville 13-4 in the third quarter of their 10-point victory. Emily Cissell led Borden with 12 points. … This is the home opener — and just the second game of the season — for Crothersville. It is also the Southern Athletic Conference opener for both teams.
• Outlook: Based on results against Clarksville, this appears to be an easy win for Borden in its SAC opener.
• Greg’s pick: Borden 59, Crothersville 38.

ROCK CREEK (1-1) AT CLARKSVILLE (1-5)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Clarksville High School Main Gymnasium.
• Coaches:
Rock Creek — Sara Nord (3-10 in second season at Rock Creek and overall).
Clarksville — Amanda Carmichael (9-21 in second season at New Albany, 69-115 in ninth season overall).
• Most recent game:
Rock Creek — Defeated Cannelton 65-27 (Nov. 12).
Clarksville — Lost at Rising Sun 53-32 (Nov. 13).
• Last 20 years: Clarksville 20-3. The Generals have beaten Rock Creek three straight times.
• Most recent meeting: At Clarksville 60, Rock Creek 18 (Jan. 30).
• News and notes: Rock Creek lost by a point to Henryville on Friday. To put that into perspective, the Lions had 49-6, 45-28 and 72-54 the last three times they faced the Hornets. … The Lions put up 43 points in the second half of their win over Cannelton. Eight different Rock Creek players scored in the win, led by 15 points from Ryleigh Newton. … Rylan Byers had a Rock Creek-best 14 points in the loss to Henryville. … Clarksville is 1-5, the exact same record they had through six games the past two seasons. … Dehja Gaines led Clarksville with 13 points in its loss to Borden.
• Outlook: Rock Creek is making the improvements everyone expected to see under Nord.
• JohnHarrell.net prediction: Clarksville 48, Rock Creek 31.
• Greg’s pick: Rock Creek 45, Clarksville 43.

PROVIDENCE (0-3) AT JEFFERSONVILLE (4-0)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Johnson Arena, Jeffersonville.
• Coaches:
Providence — Brad Burden (159-151 in 14th season at Providence and overall).
Jeffersonville — Missy Voyles (10-12 in second season at Jeff, 280-126 in 18th season overall).
• Most recent game:
Providence — Lost at Shawe 34-28 (Nov. 11).
Jeffersonville — Defeated Bloomington South 50-29 (Nov. 13).
• Last 20 years: Jeff 19-0.
• Most recent meeting: At Jeffersonville 58, Providence 27 (Nov. 19, 2019).
• News and notes: Providence is 0-3 for the the second straight season. … The Pioneers were outscored 22-8 in the second half after leading Shawe 20-12 at halftime on Thursday evening. … Jeff is 3-0 for the second time in three years. Last year, however, the Red Devils began their season 1-7. … Jeff held Jasper to 10 first-half points in its win Thursday night. Elle Marble led the Devils with 13 points.
• Outlook: These appear to be programs in two different places in their developments. Make it 5-0 for Jeff.
• JohnHarrell.net prediction: Jeffersonville 59, Providence 21.
• Greg’s pick: Jeffersonville 66, Providence 25.

AUSTIN (1-3) AT NEW WASHINGTON (2-3)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Jim Matthews Gymnasium, New Washington.
• Coaches:
Austin — Jared Petersen (232-167 in 17th season at Austin and overall).
New Washington — Kirsti Holloway (57-86 in seventh season at New Wash and overall).
• Most recent game:
Austin — Lost to Eastern 44-22 (Nov. 13).
New Washington — Defeated Christian Academy 60-23 (Nov. 13).
• Last 20 years: Austin 13-7. New Wash has won three of its last four vs. the Eagles.
• Most recent meeting: At Austin 60, New Washington 57 (Nov. 17, 2020).
• News and notes: Austin has dropped three straight since opening the season with a win over Madison. … The Eagles scored no more than 7 points in any quarter in the loss to Eastern on Saturday. … New Wash has won two of its last three. The only loss was a closely-contested 45-37 defeat at Scottsburg on Nov. 9.
• Outlook: This is one of the biggest question mark games of the week. If New Wash can beat the Eagles, it will show the Eagles are almost certainly the area’s second-best Class A team.
• JohnHarrell.net prediction: New Washington 44, Austin 41.
• Greg’s pick: Austin 50, New Washington 45.

CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (0-3) AT WEST WASHINGTON (3-1)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Tower Gymnasium, Campbellsburg.
• Coaches:
Christian Academy — Carson Casey (8-38 in third season at CAI and overall).
West Washington — Matthew Myers (11-16 in second season at West Washington and overall).
• Most recent game:
Christian Academy — Lost at New Washington 60-23 (Nov. 13).
West Washington — Won at Southwestern 36-34 (Nov. 13).
• Last 20 years: West Washington 13-7. West Washington has defeated CAI six straight times.
• Most recent meeting: West Washington 49, at Christian Academy 16 (Nov. 17, 2020).
• News and notes: CAI’s next two opponents are a combined 7-2, including a game at Class A No. 2 Lanesville on Thursday. … This is the fifth time in 6 years that West Washington is standing at 3-1 through four games. … Both teams play Lanesville this week: CAI on Thursday, West Washington on Saturday.
• Outlook: West Washington should improve to 4-1 ahead of Saturday’s clash with Lanesville.
• JohnHarrell.net prediction: West Washington 52, CAI 16.
• Greg’s pick: West Washington 47, CAI 22.

CRAWFORD COUNTY (0-6) AT NORTH HARRISON (2-2)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: North Harrison High School, Ramsey.
• Coaches:
Crawford County — Christopher Broughton (111-88 in ninth season at Crawford County and overall).
North Harrison — Jamie Kolkmeier (14-8 in second season at North Harrison and overall).
• Most recent game:
Crawford County — Lost to Evansville Reitz 46-45 (Corydon Battle of the First Capital, final round, Nov. 13).
North Harrison — Lost at Charlestown 57-32 (Nov. 13).
• Last 20 years: North Harrison 18-5. The Lady Cats have won nine of the last 10 in the series.
• Most recent meeting: North Harrison 68, at Crawford County 44 (Nov. 17, 2020).
• News and notes: North Harrison trailed 41-21 at the half of its loss at Charlestown on Saturday. The loss puts the Lady Cats at 1-1 in the Mid-Southern Conference. … Crawford County is 0-6 but four of its losses have come by a combined 15 points. … The Wolfpack are winless through six games for the first time since they went 0-22 in 2012-13.
• Outlook: Crawford County is not a typical 0-6 team. Lots of close losses to decent teams. Unfortunately, this is going to make the Wolfpack 0-7.
• JohnHarrell.net prediction: North Harrison 49, Crawford County 37.
• Greg’s pick: North Harrison 53, Crawford County 42.

PAOLI (1-2) AT CORYDON (6-0)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Corydon High School.
• Coaches:
Paoli — Donavan Crews (11-8 in second season at Paoli and overall).
Corydon Central — Josh Conrad (16-11 in second season at Corydon, 135-104 in 11th season overall).
• Most recent game:
Paoli — Lost at Brownstown Central 56-50 (Nov. 13).
Corydon Central — Defeated Lanesville 44-34 (Battle of the First Capital, championship, Nov. 13).
• Last 20 years: Series tied 3-3.
• Most recent meeting: At Corydon Central 48, Paoli 45 (Nov. 19, 2019).
• News and notes: The Panthers and Rams didn’t play each other last year. … Corydon is the Hoosier Hills Hoops Team of the Week after going 4-0 and winning the Battle of the First Capitol over the weekend. … Corydon is 6-0 for the first time since 2002 when the Panthers went 17-4. … The Panthers and Rams already have an opponent in common. Corydon beat Southridge 48-28 over the weekend, while Paoli defeated the Raiders 31-27 on Nov. 6. … Ava Weber scored 27 points on 11-of-14 shooting in the Panthers’ win over rival Lanesville in the tournament championship Saturday.
• Outlook: Corydon, the surprise team of 2021-22 so far, should continue its best start in 19 years.
• JohnHarrell.net prediction: Corydon 54, Paoli 36.
• Greg’s pick: Corydon 57, Paoli 45.

By GREG MENGELT

Langford went 0-for-1 from the floor and 1-for-4 from the free throw line in the win. He also had three rebounds, two assists and two steals for the Celtics, who have 3 of their last 4 and 6 of their last 8 to get back to .500 on the season at 7-7. Langford’s point came with 45 seconds left in the first quarter and drew the Celtics within 22-17.

Boston, which blew a late lead Saturday at Cleveland, outscored the Cavs 61-53 in the second half. The Celtics had five players in double figures. Jayson Tatum led the way with 23 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Grant Williams had 11 off the Boston bench, which provided 30 points in the win.

Cleveland, which is now 9-6 on the year, was led by a games-high 28 points from Ricky Rubio, who was filling in for Collin Sexton, who is recovering from a knee injury. The Cavaliers were also without Lauri Markennanen, Jarrett Allen and Kevin Love in the loss.

The Celtics stay on the road for a game at Atlanta on Wednesday. Then they host the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday. The game against the Lakers will be televised on ESPN.

By GREG MENGELT

Maleea Roland had a pair of 20-point games and scored at least 13 points in all four games last week, making the New Albany senior this week’s Hoosier Hills Hoops Girls’ Basketball Player of the Week.

Roland also had 27 rebounds and is shooting 40 percent from the floor for the season. She has 10 assists and eight steals in New Albany’s 4-1 start.

“Maleea is playing very good basketball for us right now, on both ends of the floor,” Bulldogs head coach Shelby Gliebe said. “There’s no question that she put in the work in the offseason to get better and we are excited to see her continued growth throughout the season.”

Roland started the week with a 7-of-16, 16-point, five-rebound, four-assist performance in a 56-46 win over Brownstown. In three games at a tournament in Corydon over the weekend, the senior had 53 points and 22 rebounds.

Roland put up 20 points in a 47-38 win over Boonville, going 8-for-11 from the free throw line. In the second round, she finished with 13 points in a loss to Lanesville. In the final game — a 57-40 win over Greenwood — Roland put up 20 points on 8-for-12 shooting, 14 rebounds and assisted on five Bulldog buckets.

Roland and the Bulldogs have a few days off before hosting Columbus North (1-2) on Thursday. It’s the first of six straight home games for New Albany.