Mid-week girls' basketball previews

TODAY

North Putnam (2-4) at No. 12 Cloverdale (7-1)

The coaches: Jarrod Duff is in his third year at North Putnam. Matthew Langdon is in his eighth year at Cloverdale.

So far: North Putnam has lost three straight games since starting the season 2-1.

Cloverdale has won three straight games since its only loss at Danville on Nov. 13.

Per-game averages: Offense — North 35.8, Clovers 63.5. Defense — North 44.0, Clovers 45.0.

History: Cloverdale won 61-22 last year, and leads the series 17-12 over the past 15 years.

Key players: Freshmen Brie Miller (9.3) and Kyla Willis (8.0) lead North Putnam in scoring. Miller leads in rebounding with 6.5 per game.

Tori Combs leads Cloverdale with 17.8 points and 12.9 rebounds per game.

John Harrell prediction: Cloverdale 64, North 31.

Greencastle (6-2) at Tri-West (4-1)

The coaches: Tod Windlan is in his first year at Greencastle. Tom Gliva is in his first year at Tri-West.

So far: Greencastle has won three of its last four games after starting the season 3-1. Tri-West won its first four games before losing 61-47 at Plainfield on Saturday..

Per-game averages: Offense — Greencastle 59.6, TW 64.2. Defense — Greencastle 42.9, TW 42.6.

History: Greencastle won 54-47 at home last year. Tri-West has won eight of 15 games over the past 15 years.

Key players: Maggie Cora of Tri-West averages 24.6 points per game, ranking her ninth in the state. Freshman Kenna Kirby adds 13.6 points per game.

John Harrell prediction: Tri-West 55, Greencastle 50.

WEDNESDAY

South Putnam (3-3) at South Vermillion (2-2*)

(* - Does not include Tuesday game vs. West Vigo)

The coaches: Brian Gardner is in his fourth year at South Putnam. Jeff McCoy is in his second year at South Vermillion.

So far: South Putnam has won two straight games since starting the season 1-3.

South Vermillion beat Parke Heritage 72-40, lost 59-48 to North Vermillion and 38-25 to Seeeger and beat North Putnam 42-34. The Wildcats host West Vigo tonight.

Per-game averages: Offense — SP 51.3, SV 46.8. Defense — SP 50.7, SV 42.8.

History: South Putnam won 46-44 at home last year and leads the series 7-5 over the past 15 years.

Key players: Junior Mallory Hawkins leads the Wildcats in scoring through four games at 15.5, and also grabs 6.8 rebounds per game. Junior Rebecca Berry scores 12.3 points and grabs 10.0 rebounds per game.

John Harrell prediction: South Vermillion 48, South Putnam 47.