By GREG MENGELT
In spite of a recent bout with the Covid-19, the 2021-22 season has already been the one of the best in Rock Creek history.
The Lions’ seven wins equals their win total over the last three years combined. The seven wins is fourth most in program history. With three games this week, Rock Creek has a legitimate chance to get to double-digit wins for the second time in program history.
First, the Lions face St. Francis (Ky.) (2-9) in Monday’s Hoosier Hills Hoops Game of the Night. They then close the season Thursday against South Central (1-12) and Saturday against Crothersville (3-11). The final two regular-season games are both at home.
“We’re getting there,” said second-year Rock Creek head coach Sara Nord. “We’ve had a couple games that could’ve gone either way. We’re have to take baby steps.”
The Lions’ roster features three freshmen, five sophomores and two seniors, so the future appears very bright under Nord.
“We’re extremely young,” she said. “A lot of us are adjusting to high school basketball and the strength and speed it take to play at the varsity level.”
As great as the season has been, Rock Creek has had their last three games postponed. Games against Portland Christian (Ky.), Providence and St. Francis won’t be rescheduled.
“Until recently, the year had gone smooth for us,” Nord said of the common theme of Covid cases across the country.
Unfortunately, Rock Creek drew No. 2 Lanesville (21-1) in the first round of next week’s sectional at New Washington. Nord said all the Lions can do it get better this week. The Eagles the Lions 58-18 two weeks ago.
“We have three games this week and hopefully that will get us ready for the sectional,” she said. “Hopefully we can go into the sectional with some momentum.”
GAME OF THE NIGHT
ROCK CREEK AT ST. FRANCIS (KY.)
• Time: 5:30 p.m.
• Location: St. Francis School (233 W. Broadway, Louisville)
• Records:
Rock Creek 7-8. The Lions have lost four straight.
St. Francis 2-9. The Wyverns have lost four straight.
• Coaches:
Rock Creek — Sara Nord (9-17 in second season at Rock Creek)
St. Francis — Tatjana Boston (Coaching record unavailable)
• Most recent game:
Rock Creek — Lost to Lanesville 58-18 (Jan. 13)
St. Francis — Lost to Louisville Collegiate 52-12 (Jan. 22)
• Last 20 years: First meeting.
• News & notes: The Lions close their season Thursday at home against South Central, so this is their 2022 road finale. … The Wyverns still have nine regular-season games left in the next three weeks.
• Outlook: The Lions have a chance to get to eight wins (despite four game cancelations). It’s easily the second-best season for the Rock Creek girls’ basketball history.
• Greg’s pick: Rock Creek 53, St. Francis 40.
CHRISTIAN ACADEMY AT TRINITY LUTHERAN
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Trinity Lutheran H.S. (1 Trinity Way, Seymour)
• Records:
CAI 6-13. The Warriors have lost their last three games.
Trinity Lutheran 13-7. The Cougars have won two of their last three.
• Coaches:
CAI — Carson Casey (14-48 in third season at CAI)
Trinity Lutheran — Mike Lang (180-85 in 11th season at Trinity Lutheran)
• Rankings:
Trinity Lutheran — No. 8 ICGSA (Class A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
CAI — No. 354, No. 74 Class A
Trinity Lutheran — No. 151, No. 11 Class A
• Most recent game:
CAI — Lost at Charlestown 76-14 (Jan. 22)
Trinity Lutheran — Lost to Jennings County 78-41 (Jan. 22)
• Last 20 years: Trinity Lutheran 13-2. The Cougars are on a 10-game winning streak in the series.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 10, 2020 — Trinity Lutheran 77, at CAI 7.
• News & notes: This is Christian Academy’s regular-season finale. The Cougars go to Madison on Thursday for their final regular-season game.
• John Harrell prediction: Trinity Lutheran 64, CAI 25.
• Sagarin projection: Trinity Lutheran by 40.
• Outlook: The Cougars don’t appear to be quite as good as in the recent past, but they’re still a program that annually competes for regional championships.
• Greg’s pick: Trinity Lutheran 55, CAI 20.
