Game night: Eastern Hancock at New Palestine

It's game night:
Eastern Hancock (2-0) at New Palestine (0-2)
LISTEN LIVE HERE! Airtime: 7:10 p.m.; tipoff 7:30 p.m.
The Royals had two impressive victories last week over Centerville and Frankton, and they sport a lineup that returns four starters, including leading scorer Dustin Smith. The wing scored 17 and 13 points in the two games last week, but as is a hallmark of Aaron Spaulding-coached teams, several other Royals contributed, as six different players scored in double figures for the Royals in at least one of the two games last week. New Palestine is 0-2, but rallied from deficits of 14 and 15 points to cut one lead to one, and to take the lead in the other game before succumbing in OT. The Dragons fell to two solid 4A schools. Again, they're balanced, with Josh Penley scoring 21 against New Castle and Taylor Rainey putting up 26 against Jennings County. NP is somewhat young, as Adam Barton's team has no seniors.

Elsewhere in Hancock County & the HHC
Mt. Vernon (0-1) at 4A #6 Hamilton Southeastern (1-0), 7:30 p.m.
The Marauders had a good showing last week against Hamilton Heights. Quinn Williams scored 20 points in an eventual 58-54 loss to HH. HSE is loaded, led by future major-college player Gary Harris.
Greenfield-Central (0-2) at New Castle (2-0), 8 p.m.
The Cougars suffered two close losses at the hands of Richmond and Whiteland -- the latter in OT -- last week. New Castle is a solid team and plays very well at home.
Connersville at Rushville (1-0), 7:30 p.m.: Former Rushville coach Kerry Brown returns to Memorial Gym as the head coach of the arch-rival Spartans.
Cowan at Delta (0-1), 7:45 p.m.: The Eagles look for their first win under old-turned-new coach Stan Daugherty, who both preceded and is succeeding Paul Keller as the Delta bench leader.
Muncie Burris at Yorktown (1-1), 7:30 p.m.: Blake Everhart's team had a nice win over Alexandria on Tuesday and plays an intra-county foe.
Shelbyville (2-0) at Columbus North, 7:30 p.m.: Tom Beach's club had two very solid wins last week to open the year. Led by Patrick Ellis and a very veteran cast of characters, the Bears are going to be a force.

Saturday's games (weather permitting)
Greenfield-Central at Southport, 7:30 p.m.: G-C graduate Wes Peek is Southport's head coach, so a chance for him to compete against the alma mater.
Rushville at New Palestine, 7:30 p.m.: The Dragons conclude four straight at home by opening conference play against the Lions. Both teams are getting up and down the floor this year.
Hamilton Southeastern at Pendleton Heights, 7:30 p.m.: Great matchup between future Div. I players Gary Harris and Kellen Dunham.
Delta at Muncie South, 8 p.m.

Also ... big girls game Saturday afternoon, when Mt. Vernon travels to Pendleton Heights for a 2:30 p.m. tipoff. Our friends at WEEM-91.7 will have the call on the game.