By GREG MENGELT
The Dragons are 6-5 overall and 1-1 in Mid-Southern Conference play. The Musketeers enter at 9-1 — its best start in the 28 years JohnHarrell.net has recorded full season results — and with an 8-game winning streak.
The MSC kings might be vulnerable, opening up opportunities to the league’s up-and-coming programs.
“(Silver Creek coach Brandon Hoffman) and his program have proven they know how to win at the highest levels” second-year Eastern coach Chandler Prible said. “They have a very talented guard in Branden Northern. They are a very tough conference opponent that we will have to play very well against to beat.”
Eastern has dominated nine of its 10 opponents this season, winning by an average margin of 20.2 points per game. They’re beating teams by nearly 22 points per game during their 8-game winning streak.
“We have a lot of respect for Eastern,” Hoffman said. “Coach Prible has done a great job and his players play hard, execute, and expect to win. We will have to play well on both ends of the floor to come out successful.”
This game isn’t only important in the MSC standings, it’s big in other ways for both teams. A win over the defending state champs would be another milestone in an already historical start for Eastern.
Eastern hasn’t beaten Silver Creek since 2013. The Musketeers haven’t beaten Creek at home since 2010.
“This game is important to our guys to show we can compete with one of the more talented 3A schools in our conference,” Prible said.
On the other side, the Dragons look to build on their fifth straight Silver Creek Holiday Tournament championship and their 71-59 win over Providence last week.
“I think our team is making strides and playing well coming off last week’s holiday tourney championship and (we) expect our momentum to continue,” Hoffman said.
GAME OF THE NIGHT
SILVER CREEK (6-5, 1-1 MSC) AT EASTERN (9-1, 0-1)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Eastern H.S. (1100 N. Eastern School Rd., Pekin)
• Coaches:
Silver Creek — Brandon Hoffman (207-78 in 12th season at Silver Creek)
Eastern — Chandler Prible (21-14 in second season at Eastern)
• Rankings:
Eastern — No. 16 AP (Class 2A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Silver Creek — No. 102, No. 28 Class 3A
Eastern — No. 113, No. 14 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
Silver Creek — Defeated Providence 51-39 (Silver Creek Holiday Tournament, championship, Dec. 29)
Eastern — Defeated Mount Vernon (Posey) 74-59 (Eastern-Salem Challenge, Dec. 28)
• Last 20 years: Silver Creek 15-5. The Dragons have beaten Eastern eight straight times.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 8, 2021 — At Silver Creek 95, Eastern 34.
• John Harrell prediction: Silver Creek 59, Eastern 58.
• Sagarin projection: Eastern by 2.
• Outlook: Even in a tough place to play, you have to go with the champs in any game considered to be a tossup.
• Greg’s pick: Silver Creek 71, Eastern 66.
PROVIDENCE (7-3) AT CLARKSVILLE (3-5)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Clarksville H.S. Main Gymnasium (800 Dr. Dot Lewis Drive, Clarksville)
• Coaches:
Providence — Ryan Miller (37-19 in third season at Providence)
Clarksville — Kyle Hankins (3-5 in first season at Clarksville)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Providence — No. 135, No. 21 Class 2A
Clarksville — No. 241, No. 51 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
Providence — Won at Southwestern 49-48 (Jan. 4)
Clarksville — Defeated Charlestown 52-31 (Silver Creek Holiday Tournament, consolation game, Dec. 29)
• Last 20 years: Providence 29-13. The teams split two games last season. Clarksville won the regular-season contest and Providence won a sectional semifinal matchup. The Pioneers have won five of the last six vs. Clarksville.
• Most recent meeting: March 5, 2021 — Providence 56, Clarksville 46 (Class 2A Southwestern Sectional, semifinal).
• John Harrell prediction: Providence 59, Clarksville 47.
• Sagarin projection: Providence by 9.
• Outlook: Providence is the favorite and I’m going to take the Pioneers, but the Generals have a real chance in this one.
• Greg’s pick: Providence 64, Clarksville 59.
CORYDON CENTRAL (6-5) AT FLOYD CENTRAL (6-2)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Joe Hinton Court, Floyd Central H.S. (6575 Old Vincennes Rd., Floyds Knobs)
• Coaches:
Corydon Central — Joseph Hinton (27-31 in third season at Corydon)
Floyd Central — Todd Sturgeon (128-42 in eighth season at Floyd Central)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Corydon Central — No. 153, No. 40 Class 3A
Floyd Central — No. 19, No. 16 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
Corydon Central — Defeated Rock Creek 68-46 (Jan. 4)
Floyd Central — Defeated Avon 56-55 (Paul Loggan Memorial Invitational, second day, Dec. 29)
• Last 20 years: Floyd Central 13-7. The Highlanders have won seven consecutive against Corydon.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 8, 2021 — Floyd Central 71, at Corydon Central 33.
• John Harrell prediction: Floyd Central 63, Corydon Central 43.
• Sagarin projection: Floyd Central by 20.
• Outlook: If Floyd can take advantage of its size, it should win going away. But Corydon is tough, and if the Panthers are able to take advantage of their strengths, they can stay in this game.
• Greg’s pick: Floyd Central 64, Corydon Central 55.
LANESVILLE (2-9, 0-2 SAC) AT SOUTH CENTRAL (2-7, 0-1)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: South Central H.S. Main Gym (6675 E. Hwy. 11 S.E., Elizabeth)
• Coaches:
Lanesville — Mikel Miller (289-218 in 22nd season at Lanesville)
South Central — Greg Robinson (175-175 in 16th season at South Central, 197-238 in 20th season overall)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Lanesville — No. 314, No. 58 Class A
South Central — No. 306, No. 56 Class A
• Most recent game:
Lanesville — Defeated South Putnam 54-34 (Edinburg Invitational, seventh-place game, Dec. 29)
South Central — Lost to Orleans 59-23 (Biard Winter Classic, third-place game, Dec. 30)
• Last 20 years: Lanesville 23-10. The Eagles defeated South Central twice last season. They’ve won four in a row in the series.
• Most recent meeting: March 5, 2021 — Lanesville 42, South Central 41 (Class A Borden Sectional, championship).
• John Harrell prediction: South Central 53, Lanesville 50.
• Sagarin projection: South Central by 5.
• Outlook: It’s been a while since these two programs have been this even. Both are better than their records and both still have to consider themselves sectional contenders. This has one-possession game written all over it.
• Greg’s pick: Lanesville 63, South Central 62.
BORDEN (7-3, 3-0 SAC) AT NEW WASHINGTON (2-8, 1-0)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: James Matthews Gymnasium (a.k.a. The Jim), New Washington H.S. (226 N. Highway 62, New Washington)
• Coaches:
Borden — Doc Nash (211-152 in 16th season at Borden)
New Washington — Kyle Brown (11-23 season at New Wash)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Borden — No. 184, No. 16 Class A
New Washington — No. 357, No. 70 Class A
• Most recent game:
Borden — Won at Shawe 58-26 (Jan. 4)
New Washington — Lost to Christian Academy 63-47 (Jan. 4)
• Last 20 years: Borden 18-9. The teams have split the last 12 meetings.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 8, 2021 — At Borden 67, New Washington 52.
• John Harrell prediction: Borden 65, New Washington 43.
• Sagarin projection: Borden by 21.
• Outlook: Nash has had a lot of success at New Wash in his lifetime and that will continue Friday.
• Greg’s pick: Borden 60, New Washington 46.
AUSTIN (2-5, 0-1 MSC) AT NORTH HARRISON (5-2, 2-1)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: North Harrison H.S. (1070 Hwy. 64 N.W., Ramsey)
• Coaches:
Austin — Randy Edwards (37-67 in fifth season at Austin)
North Harrison — Lou Lefevre (41-12 in third season at North Harrison, 306-92 in 18th season overall)
• Rankings:
North Harrison — No. 13 AP (Class 3A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Austin — No. 260, No. 56 Class 2A
North Harrison — No. 44, No. 8 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Austin — Defeated Madison 80-70 (Dec. 18)
North Harrison — Defeated Waldron 74-46 (Batesville Invitational, consolation game, Dec. 30)
• Last 20 years: North Harrison 13-7. The Cougars have won the last two and six of the last seven vs. Austin.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 20, 2021 — North Harrison 73, at Austin 45.
• John Harrell prediction: North Harrison 72, Austin 41.
• Sagarin projection: North Harrison by 29.
• Outlook: North Harrison has lost two of their last three games. What level is my concern level is for the Cougars? Zero.
• Greg’s pick: North Harrison 62, Austin 43.
CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (6-5) AT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (KY.) (11-3)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Christian Academy of Louisville (700 S. English Station Rd., Louisville)
• Coaches:
CAI — Hayden Casey (15-22 in second season at CAI)
CAL — Aaron Hill (Coaching record unavailable)
• Most recent game:
CAI — Won at New Washington 63-47 (Jan. 4)
CAL — Defeated Nelson County 59-47 (Jan. 4)
• Last 20 years: CAI 7-6.
• Most recent meeting: Feb. 1, 2021 — CAL 53, at CAI 45.
• Outlook: CAI has had a really impressive start to the season, but CAL is still a bit ahead of the Warriors.
• Greg’s pick: CAL 69, CAI 55.
MADISON (4-6) AT SCOTTSBURG (7-3)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Charles E. Meyer Gymnasium (1 Jim Barley Way, Scottsburg)
• Coaches:
Madison — Adam Stotts (4-6 in first season at Madison)
Scottsburg — Eric Richardson (13-21 in second season at Scottsburg)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Madison — No. 179, No. 51 Class 3A
Scottsburg — No. 71, No. 19 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Madison — Defeated Scottsburg 77-75 (2OT) (Jefferson County Invitational, fifth-place game, Dec. 23)
Scottsburg — Lost to Madison 77-75 (2OT) (Jefferson County Invitational, fifth-place game, Dec. 23)
• Last 20 years: Madison 19-7. The Cubs have won five straight and 13 of the last 14 in the series.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 23, 2021 — Madison 77-75 (2OT) (Jefferson County Invitational, fifth-place game, Dec. 23)
• John Harrell prediction: Scottsburg 69, Madison 52.
• Sagarin projection: Scottsburg by 14.
• Outlook: In case you didn’t notice, the two teams just played each other. The home team will win again in the rematch.
• Greg’s pick: Scottsburg 66, Madison 62.
SEYMOUR (5-3) AT CHARLESTOWN (3-6)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Charlestown Sports Arena (1 Pirate Place, Charlestown)
• Coaches:
Seymour — Kirk Manns (23-30 in third season at Seymour)
Charlestown — Matt Lynch (3-6 in first season at Charlestown, 72-56 in sixth season overall)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Seymour — No. 59, No. 38 Class 4A
Charlestown — No. 290, No. 78 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Seymour — Lost at New Albany 57-47 (Dec. 28)
Charlestown — Lost to Clarksville 52-31 (Silver Creek Holiday Tournament, consolation game, Dec. 29)
• Last 20 years: Seymour 9-6. The Owls have won four in a row against Charlestown.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 8, 2021 — At Seymour 36, Charlestown 35.
• John Harrell prediction: Seymour 66, Charlestown 38.
• Sagarin projection: Seymour by 23.
• Outlook: Seymour beat Jeff and hung with New Albany. The Owls are good. They’re probably not a true contender, but they’re good.
• Greg’s pick: Seymour 67, Charlestown 47.
ORLEANS (8-2) AT SALEM (3-6)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Brooks Memorial Gymnasium, Salem H.S. (700 N. Harrison St., Salem)
• Coaches:
Orleans — Tom Bradley (348-193 in 23rd season at Orleans)
Salem — Duane Malloy (3-6 in first season at Salem)
• Rankings:
Orleans — No. 10 AP (Class A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Orleans — No. 150, No. 13 Class A
Salem — No. 320, No. 84 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Orleans — Defeated South Central 59-23 (Baird Winter Classic, third-place game, Dec. 30)
Salem — Defeated Evansville Day 70-62 (Salem-Eastern Classic, Game 2, Dec. 28)
• Last 20 years: Salem 12-8. The Lions have won five of their last six against Orleans.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 8, 2021 — At Orleans 45, Salem 36.
• John Harrell prediction: Orleans 64, Salem 42.
• Sagarin projection: Orleans by 17.
• Outlook: It’s amazing what Bradley accomplishes at Orleans year after year.
• Greg’s pick: Orleans 57, Salem 45.
WEST WASHINGTON (2-7, 0-1 PLAC) AT PERRY CENTRAL (4-5, 0-1)
• Time: 8 p.m.
• Location: Perry Central H.S. (18677 Old State Road 37, Leopold)
• Coaches:
West Washington — Clayton Sullivan (41-43 in fourth season at West Washington)
Perry Central — Jeff Litherland (4-5 in first season at Perry Central, 97-51 in seventh season overall)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
West Washington — No. 316, No. 59 Class A
Perry Central — No. 326, No. 81 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
West Washington — Lost to North Vermillion 56-50 (Clay City Invitational, fifth-place game, Dec. 30)
Perry Central — Lost to Boonville 45-34 (Perry-Central Holiday Tournament, fifth-place game, Dec. 29)
• Last 20 years: 10-10. West Washington has won five of the last 7 against Perry Central.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 8, 2021 — Perry Central 65, at West Washington 47.
• John Harrell prediction: Perry Central 51, West Washington 49.
• Sagarin projection: Perry Central by 3.
• Outlook: West Washington is another local team that’s better than its record. I think the Senators will pull away in the end to win this one.
• Greg’s pick: West Washington 63, Perry Central 56.
