> SOUTHERN INDIANA — It wasn’t long ago that Charlestown girls’ basketball was winning championships with regularity.

From 2003-2010, the Pirates won five sectional titles and dominated the Charlestown Holiday Tournament nearly every year.

Coach Tony Hall retired and — whether it was a factor in Hall’s decision or not — there was little talent left.

Enter current coach Sam Terrell. Terrell came from Evansville and suffered through two really tough seasons. The Pirates lost their first nine games under their new coach in 2010-11 on their way to a 3-18 season. Last year wasn’t much better at 4-17.

Although there was clear improvement and a lot of close contests against pretty good teams toward the end of last season, Charlestown fans had to be asking if the program was going to approach the Pirate tradition any time soon.

Again this season, Charlestown is just 2-7. It has lost five straight. However, with sophomores Justice Burdin and Kaitlynn Henning leading the way, it’s becoming more clear that there are many wins in sight.

In their last three games, the Pirates have taken very good teams to the wire. One of those was holiday tournament favorite Silver Creek. The 6-2 Dragons knocked off Charlestown 47-46 in the final seconds on Dec. 8 in Sellersburg.

But the holiday tournament is in the Pirates’ gym and they would love nothing better than to start the turnaround on Friday when they host Providence in the opening round.

Winning the opener against the Pioneers won’t be easy. Beating Sliver Creek for the title would be more difficult.

But, fear not Pirate fans, the wins are coming — and soon.



GAMES TO WATCH (TUESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY)



GAME OF THE WEEK

BOYS — Castle at New Albany

• Time: 8 p.m.

• Records: Castle 4-1, New Albany 4-2.

• Rankings: Castle, Class 4A No. 17 AP.

• Last year: At Castle 65, New Albany 54.

• Last 15 years: Castle leads 3-0.

• Assessment: Castle is led by Blake Simmons — son of former Indiana and Evansville star and current Aces coach Marty Simmons — who is destined for a spot on the Indiana All-Star team. The 6-foot-5 Blake, who will play for his father at Evansville starting next season, is averaging 21 points and nearly three steals and three assists per game. The Knights suffered a 66-64 meltdown loss to Evansville Harrison, which also came back from double digits in the fourth quarter to beat New Albany, from being unbeaten. New Albany seems to have found its groove after three blowout wins. This will be the Bulldogs’ first big test since back-to-back road losses to Columbus East and Harrison. I think they’ll pass the test on their way to what is looking like a nice 2012-13 season.

• Greg’s Pick: New Albany 79, Castle 75.



TUESDAY

GIRLS — Floyd Central at Jeffersonville

• Time: 7:30 p.m.

• Records: Floyd Central 6-2, 1-1 Hoosier Hills Conference; Jeffersonville 4-5, 1-3 HHC.

• Last year: At Floyd Central 60, Jeffersonville 46.

• All-time series: Jeffersonville 34-22.

• Assessment: I’ve been saying all season that Floyd Central has the best mix of experience and talent of all the area Hoosier Hills Conference teams. On Tuesday, they’ll get a chance to prove it.

• Greg’s Pick: Floyd Central 66, Jeffersonville 56.



GIRLS — South Central at Henryville

• Time: 7:30 p.m.

• Records: South Central 3-7, 1-0 Southern Athletic Conference; Henryville 5-6, 0-2 SAC.

• Last year: Henryville 60, at South Central 38.

• Last 10 years: South Central leads 17-1.

• Assessment: Last year, Henryville ended the Rebels’ complete domination of the series with a big win in Elizabeth. After a similar start to this season, the Hornets used the momentum from a win over South Central to win seven of their last 10 en route to a 13-10 season. Even with a young team, I could see history repeating itself.

• Greg’s Pick: Henryville 51, South Central 44.



GIRLS — New Washington at West Washington

• Time: 7:30 p.m.

• Records: New Washington 8-2, West Washington 4-5.

• Rankings: New Washington, Class A No. 12, coaches poll.

• Last year: At New Washington 59, West Washington 44.

• Last 10 years: New Washington leads 8-0.

• Assessment: The Mustangs have been quite impressive over the past couple of weeks. Even the loss to Madison — a game in which New Wash led into the fourth quarter — was eye-opening. This team looks like it could be special.

• Greg’s Pick: New Washington 66, West Washington 35.



GIRLS — Trinity Lutheran at Christian Academy

• Time: 7:30 p.m.

• Records: Trinity Lutheran 5-6, Christian Academy 2-6.

• Last year: At Trinity Lutheran 44, Christian Academy 35.

• Last 10 years: Trinity Lutheran leads 5-2.

• Assessment: Christian Academy has won two of its last four games and played Providence and South Central fairly tough. Trinity, however, is better than its 5-6 record and should pick up the road victory.

• Greg’s Pick: Trinity Lutheran 50, Christian Academy 37.



THURSDAY

GIRLS — Rock Creek at Henryville

• Time: 7:30 p.m.

• Records: Rock Creek 0-7, Henryville 5-6.

• Last year: At Henryville 68, Rock Creek 17, on Feb. 2, 2012; Henryville 84, at Rock Creek 25, Nov. 8, 2011.

• Last 10 years: Henryville lead 15-2.

• Assessment: The Hornets are getting better and may be in line for a big winning streak with their upcoming schedule.

• Greg’s Pick: Henryville 61, Rock Creek 20.



GIRLS — West Washington at Christian Academy

• Time: 7:30 p.m.

• Records: West Washington 4-5, Christian Academy 2-6.

• Last year: At West Washington 44, Christian Academy 37.

• Last 10 years: Christian Academy leads 6-4.

• Assessment: As well-coached as the Senators are under Wade Tomlinson, the improving Warriors have an excellent shot at picking up their third win.

• Greg’s Pick: Christian Academy 45, West Washington 42.



FRIDAY

GIRLS — Providence at Charlestown (Charlestown Holiday Tournament semifinal)

• Time: 6 p.m.

• Records: Providence 6-4, Charlestown 2-7.

• Last year: Providence 41, at Charlestown 30.

• Last 10 years: Charlestown leads 14-5

• Assessment: Providence has the better record but I suspect, even though the Pirates are a year or two away from being really good, Charlestown may be the slightly better team. With the home-court advantage, I give the edge to the Pirates.

• Greg’s Pick: Charlestown 44, Providence 37.



GIRLS — Silver Creek vs. Clarksville (Charlestown Holiday Tournament semifinal)

• Time: Approximately 7:30 p.m.

• Records: Silver Creek 6-2, Clarksville 3-7.

• Earlier this year: At Silver Creek 56, Clarksville 24.

• Last 10 years: Silver Creek leads 13-3

• Assessment: The Dragons have won six straight in the series. Although the Generals are clearly improving under B.D. Ledbetter, Silver Creek should breeze to its seventh straight over Clarksville and into the tournament championship.

• Greg’s Pick: Silver Creek 62, Clarksville 36.



GIRLS’ PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Alex Tinsley, Silver Creek

In the Dragons’ only game of the week, Tinsley helped lead Silver Creek to a big 51-44 win over Brownstown Central on Saturday. The senior scored a game-high 24 points, went 9-for-11 from the floor and made six of her seven free throws. She also had eight rebounds in the victory.



GIRLS’ POWER POLL

Team    Record    Last

1. Floyd Central    6-2    1

2. New Washington    8-2    2

3. Silver Creek    6-2    4

4. Borden    6-3    6

5. New Albany    4-5    3

6. Jeffersonville    4-5    5

7. Charlestown     2-7    7

8. Henryville    5-6    8

9. Providence    6-4    9

10. Clarksville    3-7    10

    Note on the Power Poll: The poll isn’t based solely on which teams would beat which. Factors like team records and how they are expected to perform in their respective class sectional are also taken into account. The boys’ Player of the Week and Power Poll will debut on Friday.