No. 2 Eagles will be put to the test at Floyd Central

By GREG MENGELT

Here’s a look at Thursday’s local girls’ basketball action, including the Hoosier Hills Hoops Game of the Week, Lanesville (14-1) at Floyd Central (5-9).

In other action, New Albany (5-10) travels to Evansville to take on Class 3A No. 12 Memorial (10-3), Clarksville (3-12) goes to Perry Central (4-11) and New Washington (5-8) plays at Hauser (7-5).

TODAY’S GAMES
THURSDAY
GAME OF THE NIGHT
LANESVILLE (14-1) AT FLOYD CENTRAL (5-9)
• Time: 6:30 p.m.
• Location: Joe Hinton Court, Floyd Central H.S. (6575 Old Vincennes Rd., Floyds Knobs)
• Coaches:
Lanesville — Angie Hinton (76-16 in fourth season at Lanesville, 249-89 in 15th season overall)
Floyd Central — Randy Gianfagna (25-56 in fourth season at Floyd)
• Rankings:
Lanesville — No. 2 AP (Class A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Lanesville — No. 55, No. 2 Class A
Floyd Central — No. 108, No. 52 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
Lanesville — Defeated Henry County (Ky.) 43-11 (Dec. 29, Jeffersonville H.S.)
Floyd Central — Defeated Crawford County 49-28 (Dec. 23)
• Last 20 years: Lanesville 1-0.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 30, 2020 — At Lanesville 50, Floyd Central 20.
• News & notes: With a Lanesville win, Angie Hinton will have her 250th career coaching victory. … Floyd Central has won its last two games following a 5-game losing streak.
• John Harrell prediction: Lanesville 45, Floyd Central 35.
• Sagarin projection: Lanesville by 9.
• Outlook: This is a tough turnaround for Lanesville after playing Wednesday afternoon, but it won’t be a problem for the Eagles.
• Greg’s pick: Lanesville 55, Floyd Central 41.

NEW ALBANY (5-10) AT EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL (10-3)
• Time: 2 p.m.
• Location: Robert Kent Athletic Center, Memorial H.S. (1500 Lincoln Ave., Evansville)
• Coaches:
New Albany — Shelby Gliebe (11-26 in second season at New Albany, 15-45 in third season overall)
Memorial — Lee Auker (50-12 in third season at Memorial)
• Rankings:
Memorial — No. 12 AP (Class 3A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
New Albany — No. 143, No. 59 Class 4A
Memorial — No. 79, No. 20 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
New Albany — Lost at Salem 64-55 (Dec. 22)
Memorial — Defeated Lafayette Central Catholic 50-42 (Niehaus Lumber Classic, final round, Dec. 29)
• Last 20 years: Memorial 3-1. The Tigers have won the last two games against New Albany.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 2 — Evansville Memorial 68, at New Albany 42.
• News & notes: Junior Journey Howard leads New Albany at 8.4 rebounds per game. … The Tigers won the holiday tournament at Vincennes Rivet. They beat Jasper 47-35, Tecumseh 48-25 then Central Catholic in the championship game.
• John Harrell prediction: Memorial 57, New Albany 39.
• Sagarin projection: Memorial by 14.
• Outlook: Looks like the two-time defending sectional champion Tigers look to be at the same level this year.
• Greg’s pick: Memorial 60, New Albany 52.

CLARKSVILLE (3-12) AT PERRY CENTRAL (4-11)
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Location: Perry Central H.S. (18677 Old State Road 37, Leopold)
• Coaches:
Clarksville — Amanda Carmichael (11-28 in third season at Clarksville, 71-122 in ninth season overall)
Perry Central — R.T. Elliott (23-61 in fourth season at Perry Central)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Clarksville — No. 368, No. 95 Class 2A
Perry Central — No. 291, No. 74 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
Clarksville — Won at Cannelton 50-37 (Dec. 28)
Perry Central — Defeated Borden 50-49 (Dec. 21)
• Last 20 years: Perry Central 1-0.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 21 — Perry Central 45, at Clarksville 42 (OT).
• News & notes: Clarksville snapped a 6-game losing streak with its 13-point win at Cannelton on Tuesday. … Perry Central had an early 9-game losing streak but has won three of its last four games.
• John Harrell prediction: Perry Central 54, Clarksville 27.
• Sagarin projection: Perry Central by 26.
• Outlook: Perry Central has some quality wins, including its victory over Borden on Dec. 21.
• Greg’s pick: Perry Central 45, Clarksville 22.

NEW WASHINGTON (5-8) AT HAUSER (7-5)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Hauser Gymnasium, Hauser H.S. (9273 Indiana 9, Hope)
• Coaches:
New Washington — Kirsti Holloway (60-91 in seventh season at New Wash)
Hauser — Chad Evans (22-37 in third season at Hauser)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
New Washington — No. 236, No. 29 Class A
Hauser — No. 240, No. 30 Class A
• Most recent game:
New Washington — Lost to Lanesville 67-22 (Dec. 18)
Hauser — Lost at Brownstown 55-47 (Dec. 21)
• Last 20 years: First meeting.
• John Harrell prediction: Hauser 49, New Washington 48.
• Sagarin projection: Hauser by 4.
• Outlook: Hauser played within 8 points of Brownstown. That makes the Jets pretty good.
• Greg’s pick: Hauser 43, New Washington 40.