GBB: Week 12 big games

By E. Shawn Aylsworth
Managing Editor

According to the Sagarin power ratings, there are 21 big games (pitting teams rated in their respective class’ Top 20) on tap for Week 12 of the 2008 Indiana high school girls basketball season.

Here’s a preview of those big contests via the pertinent numbers taken from John Harrell’s Indiana high school basketball site (rankings are from the latest ICGSA polls):

Tuesday, Jan. 27
Six biggies …

3A #1 Benton Central (16-1) at 1A #11 Lafayette Central Catholic (11-7)
GAME TIME: 7:30 PM EST.
COACHES: Pat Cole, 30-8 in 2nd year at Benton Central. Geoff Salmon, 66-51 in 5th year at Lafayette Central Catholic.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Benton Central, 88.29, 23rd overall, 3rd in Class 3A. Lafayette Central Catholic, 67.31, 143rd overall, 11th in Class 1A.
LAST OUTING: Benton Central defeated McCutcheon, 59-45, Jan. 24. Lafayette Central Catholic defeated Carroll (Flora), 28-24, Jan. 22.
VS. COMMON FOES: Benton Central 9-1. Lafayette Central Catholic 1-6.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: Benton Central 160-119, Lafayette Central Catholic 139-152.
SERIES LAST 5 YEARS: Tied, 3-3.
LAST MEETING: Benton Central, 66-50, Jan. 22, 2008.

4A #9 Carmel (14-3) at 2A #1 Heritage Christian (17-0)
GAME TIME: 7:30 PM EST.
COACHES: Scott Bowen, 89-23 in 5th year at Carmel, 97-36 in 6th year overall. Rick Risinger, 95-7 in 4th year at Heritage Christian.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Heritage Christian, 103.36, 3rd overall, 1st in Class 2A. Carmel, 95.69, 7th overall, 6th in Class 4A.
LAST OUTING: Carmel lost to Terre Haute South, 70-64, Jan. 24. Heritage Christian defeated Indianapolis Cathedral, 75-51, Jan. 20.
VS. COMMON FOES: Carmel 2-2. Heritage Christian 4-0.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: Carmel 143-106, Heritage Christian 158-94.
SERIES LAST 5 YEARS: Carmel, 2-1.
LAST MEETING: Heritage Christian, 57-50, Jan. 22, 2008.

2A #5 Fort Wayne Luers (13-4) at 3A #2 Norwell (14-1)
GAME TIME: 7:45 PM EST.
COACHES: Greg Friend, 29-12 in 2nd year at Fort Wayne Luers, 42-40 in 4th year overall. Eric Thornton, 138-118 in 12th year at Norwell.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Norwell, 89.5, 20th overall, 2nd in Class 3A. Fort Wayne Luers, 83.21, 45th overall, 3rd in Class 2A.
LAST OUTING: Fort Wayne Luers defeated Harding, 50-36, Jan. 23. Norwell defeated New Haven, 77-36, Jan. 23.
VS. COMMON FOES: Fort Wayne Luers 3-0. Norwell 2-0.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: Fort Wayne Luers 154-115, Norwell 129-113.
SERIES LAST 5 YEARS: No meetings.
LAST MEETING: Fort Wayne Luers, 63-50, Dec. 5, 2001.

2A #7 Lapel (13-2) at Tri (10-6)
GAME TIME: 7:30 PM EST.
COACHES: Kevin Brattain, 66-23 in 4th year at Lapel, 217-121 in 16th year overall. Jeff_Miller, 44-19 in 3rd year at Tri.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Lapel, 74.97, 81st overall, 9th in Class 2A. Tri, 65.84, 157th overall, 15th in Class 1A.
LAST OUTING: Lapel lost to Hamilton Heights, 71-59, Jan. 22. Tri defeated Monroe Central, 43-39, Jan. 24.
VS. COMMON FOES: Lapel 2-0. Tri 2-0.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: Lapel 83-138, Tri 119-124.
SERIES LAST 5 YEARS: Lapel, 5-1.
LAST MEETING: Lapel, 50-31, Jan. 22, 2008.

4A #8 Mooresville (15-1) at 4A #3 Terre Haute South (15-0)
GAME TIME: 7:30 PM EST.
COACHES: Mark Hurt, 182-64 in 11th year at Mooresville, 244-119 in 16th year overall. Dave Cassell, 15-0 in 1st year at Terre Haute South.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Terre Haute South, 99.71, 6th overall, 5th in Class 4A. Mooresville, 93.65, 10th overall, 8th in Class 4A.
LAST OUTING: Mooresville lost to Plainfield, 57-53, Jan. 23. Terre Haute South defeated Carmel, 70-64, Jan. 24.
VS. COMMON FOES: Mooresville 4-0. Terre Haute South 4-0.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: Mooresville 136-126, Terre Haute South 141-90.
SERIES LAST 5 YEARS: Terre Haute South, 3-2.
LAST MEETING: Terre Haute South, 69-63, sectional, Feb. 5, 2008.

1A #4 White River Valley (14-3) at 3A #10 Owen Valley (15-2)
GAME TIME: 7:00 PM EST.
COACHES: Joe Pigg, 163-89 in 12th year at White River Valley. Tom Anderson, 91-44 in 6th year at Owen Valley, 321-266 in 27th year overall.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Owen Valley, 86.51, 30th overall, 6th in Class 3A. White River Valley, 72, 104th overall, 6th in Class 1A.
LAST OUTING: White River Valley lost to North Knox, 74-66, 3 overtimes, Jan. 22. Owen Valley defeated Edgewood, 57-55, Jan. 23.
VS. COMMON FOES: White River Valley 4-1. Owen Valley 5-0.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: White River Valley 140-138, Owen Valley 143-140.
SERIES LAST 5 YEARS: Owen Valley, 3-2.
LAST MEETING: Owen Valley, 70-57, Jan. 22, 2008.

Thursday, Jan. 29
Four biggies …

2A #13 Hagerstown (13-3) at 1A #15 Randolph Southern (13-5)
GAME TIME: 7:30 PM EST.
COACHES: Chris Oliger, 72-70 in 7th year at Hagerstown. Shane Osting, 45-19 in 3rd year at Randolph Southern.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Hagerstown, 76.84, 72nd overall, 8th in Class 2A. Randolph Southern, 71.72, 107th overall, 7th in Class 1A.
LAST OUTING: Hagerstown defeated Muncie Burris, 57-17, Jan. 21. Randolph Southern lost to Winchester, 49-35, Jan. 22.
VS. COMMON FOES: Hagerstown 8-3. Randolph Southern 6-3.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: Hagerstown 131-122, Randolph Southern 137-140.
SERIES LAST 5 YEARS: Randolph Southern, 3-2.
LAST MEETING: Hagerstown, 45-31, Jan. 24, 2008.

3A #14 North Harrison (15-3) at 2A #12 Brownstown Central (10-5)
GAME TIME: 7:30 PM EST.
COACHES: Hal Pearson, 46-38 in 4th year at North Harrison, 82-86 in 8th year overall. Karla Rieckers, 23-14 in 2nd year at Brownstown Central.
SAGARIN RATINGS: North Harrison, 83.72, 40th overall, 10th in Class 3A. Brownstown Central, 71.89, 106th overall, 13th in Class 2A.
LAST OUTING: North Harrison defeated Bedford North Lawrence, 57-41, Jan. 22. Brownstown Central defeated Brown County, 69-43, Jan. 24.
VS. COMMON FOES: North Harrison 4-2. Brownstown Central 5-0.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: North Harrison 147-129, Brownstown Central 124-121.
SERIES LAST 5 YEARS: North Harrison, 3-2.
LAST MEETING: North Harrison, 54-39, Jan. 24, 2008.

1A #6 University (14-3) at 3A #17 Hamilton Heights (14-3)
GAME TIME: 7:30 PM EST.
COACHES: Bill Thornburgh, 92-40 in 6th year at University. Kurt Ogden, 36-24 in 3rd year at Hamilton Heights, 119-75 in 9th year overall.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Hamilton Heights, 83.29, 43rd overall, 11th in Class 3A. University, 70.28, 119th overall, 10th in Class 1A.
LAST OUTING: University defeated Covenant Christian, 43-41, Jan. 13. Hamilton Heights lost to Taylor, 69-44, Jan. 24.
VS. COMMON FOES: University 1-0. Hamilton Heights 1-0.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: University 66-126, Hamilton Heights 151-129.
SERIES LAST 5 YEARS: Hamilton Heights, 1-0.
LAST MEETING: Hamilton Heights, 49-38, Jan. 24, 2008.

1A #1 Vincennes Rivet (15-1) at 1A #9 Northeast Dubois (14-3)
GAME TIME: 7:30 PM EST (WAOV, 1450 AM).
COACHES: Tim Young, 34-5 in 2nd year at Vincennes Rivet. Alan Matheis, 131-59 in 8th year at Northeast Dubois.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Vincennes Rivet, 76.6, 74th overall, 2nd in Class 1A. Northeast Dubois, 67.26, 144th overall, 12th in Class 1A.
LAST OUTING: Vincennes Rivet defeated Barr-Reeve, 52-49, Jan. 20. Northeast Dubois defeated Perry Central, 66-48, Jan. 24.
VS. COMMON FOES: Vincennes Rivet 6-0. Northeast Dubois 6-0.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: Vincennes Rivet 131-133, Northeast Dubois 134-149.
SERIES LAST 5 YEARS: Northeast Dubois, 6-0.
LAST MEETING: Northeast Dubois, 64-57, regional, Feb. 16, 2008.

Friday, Jan. 30
Four biggies …

4A #1 Ben Davis (20-0) at 4A #9 Carmel (14-3)
GAME TIME: 7:30 PM EST (WBDG, 90.9 FM).
COACHES: Stan Benge, 458-125 in 24th year at Ben Davis. Scott Bowen, 89-23 in 5th year at Carmel, 97-36 in 6th year overall.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Ben Davis, 109.78, 1st overall, 1st in Class 4A. Carmel, 95.69, 7th overall, 6th in Class 4A.
LAST OUTING: Ben Davis defeated Center Grove, 87-50, Jan. 24. Carmel lost to Terre Haute South, 70-64, Jan. 24.
VS. COMMON FOES: Ben Davis 6-0. Carmel 5-0.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: Ben Davis 194-131, Carmel 143-106.
SERIES LAST 5 YEARS: Carmel, 4-2.
LAST MEETING: Carmel, 56-45, regional, Feb. 16, 2008.

Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran (10-5) at Fort Wayne South (13-3)
GAME TIME: 6:15 PM EST.
COACHES: David Miller, 78-48 in 6th year at Fort Wayne Concordia, 258-140 in 19th year overall. Andy Rang, 91-22 in 5th year at Fort Wayne South.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Fort Wayne South, 88.56, 21st overall, 17th in Class 4A. Fort Wayne Concordia, 78.58, 64th overall, 19th in Class 3A.
LAST OUTING: Fort Wayne Concordia defeated Fort Wayne Snider, 51-37, Jan. 21. Fort Wayne South defeated Fort Wayne North, 69-49, Jan. 23.
VS. COMMON FOES: Fort Wayne Concordia 6-5. Fort Wayne South 8-2.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: Fort Wayne Concordia 126-113, Fort Wayne South 152-103.
SERIES LAST 5 YEARS: Tied, 3-3.
LAST MEETING: Fort Wayne Concordia, 54-51, Jan. 25, 2008.

2A #5 Fort Wayne Luers (13-4) at 3A #2 Fort Wayne Elmhurst (15-2)
GAME TIME: 6:15 PM EST.
COACHES: Greg Friend, 29-12 in 2nd year at Fort Wayne Luers, 42-40 in 4th year overall. Mark Redding, 147-143 in 14th year at Fort Wayne Elmhurst.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Fort Wayne Elmhurst, 87.79, 26th overall, 5th in Class 3A. Fort Wayne Luers, 83.21, 45th overall, 3rd in Class 2A.
LAST OUTING: Fort Wayne Luers defeated Harding, 50-36, Jan. 23. Fort Wayne Elmhurst defeated Fort Wayne Wayne, 94-36, Jan. 23.
VS. COMMON FOES: Fort Wayne Luers 10-1. Fort Wayne Elmhurst 9-0.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: Fort Wayne Luers 154-115, Fort Wayne Elmhurst 135-133.
SERIES LAST 5 YEARS: Fort Wayne Luers, 5-1.
LAST MEETING: Fort Wayne Elmhurst, 68-57, Jan. 25, 2008.

4A #7 Plainfield (14-1) at 4A #12 Decatur Central (13-5)
GAME TIME: 6:00 PM EST.
COACHES: Curt Benge, 218-94 in 14th year at Plainfield. David Cupp, 47-57 in 5th year at Decatur Central.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Plainfield, 92.77, 12th overall, 10th in Class 4A. Decatur Central, 92.53, 13th overall, 11th in Class 4A.
LAST OUTING: Plainfield defeated Mooresville, 57-53, Jan. 23. Decatur Central defeated Greenwood, 49-35, Jan. 23.
VS. COMMON FOES: Plainfield 7-2. Decatur Central 5-3.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: Plainfield 135-110, Decatur Central 167-137.
SERIES LAST 5 YEARS: Plainfield, 4-1.
LAST MEETING: Decatur Central, 56-48, Jan. 26, 2008.

Saturday, Jan. 31
Seven biggies …

2A #8 Austin (15-4) at 4A #11 Jeffersonville (16-3)
GAME TIME: 7:30 PM EST.
COACHES: Jared Petersen, 61-31 in 4th year at Austin. Chad Gilbert, 165-38 in 9th year at Jeffersonville.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Jeffersonville, 89.71, 19th overall, 16th in Class 4A. Austin, 79.58, 58th overall, 5th in Class 2A.
LAST OUTING: Austin defeated Crothersville, 83-68, Jan. 22. Jeffersonville defeated New Albany, 72-50, Jan. 23.
VS. COMMON FOES: Austin 6-2. Jeffersonville 6-1.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: Austin 183-138, Jeffersonville 134-105.
SERIES LAST 5 YEARS: No meetings.
LAST MEETING: Jeffersonville, 88-46, Jan. 9, 2003.

Bloomington South (12-3) at Perry Meridian (15-4)
GAME TIME: 1:30 PM EST.
COACHES: Larry Winters, 134-79 in 10th year at Bloomington South. Mike Armstrong, 318-190 in 23rd year at Perry Meridian.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Perry Meridian, 91.87, 14th overall, 12th in Class 4A. Bloomington South, 91.46, 15th overall, 13th in Class 4A.
LAST OUTING: Bloomington South defeated Evansville Bosse, 59-34, Jan. 24. Perry Meridian defeated Southport, 56-31, Jan. 23.
VS. COMMON FOES: Bloomington South 7-3. Perry Meridian 7-3.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: Bloomington South 142-106, Perry Meridian 180-141.
SERIES LAST 5 YEARS: Perry Meridian, 3-2.
LAST MEETING: Bloomington South, 47-42, overtime, Jan. 26, 2008.

Bolingbrook (Ill.) vs. 2A #1 Heritage Christian (17-0)
GAME TIME: 7:30 PM EST.
COACHES: Rick Risinger, 95-7 in 4th year at Heritage Christian.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Heritage Christian, 103.36, 3rd overall, 1st in Class 2A.
LAST OUTING: Heritage Christian defeated Indianapolis Cathedral, 75-51, Jan. 20.
VS. COMMON FOES: None.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: Bolingbrook (Ill.) 0-0, Heritage Christian 158-94.
SERIES LAST 5 YEARS: Heritage Christian, 1-0.
LAST MEETING: Heritage Christian, 49- 46, Nov. 17, 2007.

Madison-Grant (11-6) at 2A #2 Oak Hill (17-1)
GAME TIME: 8:00 PM EST.
COACHES: John Irwin, 24-15 in 2nd year at Madison-Grant. Todd Law, 89-24 in 5th year at Oak Hill.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Oak Hill, 94.02, 9th overall, 2nd in Class 2A. Madison-Grant, 68.96, 127th overall, 18th in Class 2A.
LAST OUTING: Madison-Grant defeated Eastbrook, 54-29, Jan. 24. Oak Hill defeated Alexandria, 86-19, Jan. 24.
VS. COMMON FOES: Madison-Grant 8-2. Oak Hill 9-0.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: Madison-Grant 150-132, Oak Hill 167-136.
SERIES LAST 5 YEARS: Oak Hill, 10-1.
LAST MEETING: Oak Hill, 58-33, Jan. 3, 2009.

2A #16 North Posey (13-3) at 3A #9 Gibson Southern (17-1)
GAME TIME: 12:30 PM CST.
COACHES: Tracy Stroud, 13-3 in 1st year at North Posey. Mark Monroe, 55-15 in 3rd year at Gibson Southern.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Gibson Southern, 82.16, 52nd overall, 14th in Class 3A. North Posey, 68.79, 132nd overall, 20th in Class 2A.
LAST OUTING: North Posey defeated Tell City, 62-31, Jan. 24. Gibson Southern defeated Southridge, 65-43, Jan. 22.
VS. COMMON FOES: North Posey 9-2. Gibson Southern 11-0.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: North Posey 109-151, Gibson Southern 147-170.
SERIES LAST 5 YEARS: Gibson Southern, 6-0.
LAST MEETING: Gibson Southern, 42-34, Jan. 26, 2008.

3A #5 Rushville (12-3) at 4A #14 Seymour (13-4)
GAME TIME: 2:30 PM EST.
COACHES: Melissa Marlow, 107-92 in 9th year at Rushville. Beth DeVinney, 92-57 in 8th year at Seymour, 133-80 in 12th year overall.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Rushville, 89.83, 17th overall, 1st in Class 3A. Seymour, 87.38, 27th overall, 20th in Class 4A.
LAST OUTING: Rushville defeated New Palestine, 58-32, Jan. 24. Seymour defeated Scottsburg, 75-35, Jan. 24.
VS. COMMON FOES: Rushville 1-1. Seymour 1-1.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: Rushville 144-107, Seymour 164-123.
SERIES LAST 5 YEARS: Rushville, 4-1.
LAST MEETING: Rushville, 57-54, Jan. 26, 2008.

Tri (10-6) at Knightstown (11-5)
GAME TIME: 12:30 PM EST.
COACHES: Jeff_Miller, 44-19 in 3rd year at Tri. Dawn Basicker, 83-80 in 8th year at Knightstown.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Knightstown, 70.51, 116th overall, 14th in Class 2A. Tri, 65.84, 157th overall, 15th in Class 1A.
LAST OUTING: Tri defeated Monroe Central, 43-39, Jan. 24. Knightstown defeated Shenandoah, 49-34, Jan. 23.
VS. COMMON FOES: Tri 5-3. Knightstown 5-3.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: Tri 119-124, Knightstown 129-122.
SERIES LAST 5 YEARS: Tri, 4-2.
LAST MEETING: Tri, 47-40, Dec. 18, 2007.