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.
