The Dogs made the 5 minute trip to Clarksville to take on rival Providence Pioneers. New Albany came into this game with the state's third highest points per game total at 71.28 and Providence came in only allowing teams 41.28 ppg, so something had to give. From the opening tip the game was played at the Pioneers pace. Providence held a early lead after one and increased that to 30- 18 by half. The three's were falling for Providence and it felt like they controlled the entire game. Once they get a lead it's hard for teams to catch up. Their whole team can handle the ball and coach Ryan Miller does a good job of spreading the floor with constant movement. New Albany hung around and kept things even throughout the 2nd half including a thunderous dunk from 6'5 junior Chris Lampkins, but in the end the Dogs could not get over the 8-10 point hump and eventually fell on the road, 64- 46.

● 6'3 Providence senior Noah Lovan showed why he is one of the better players in this area down south. Noah is a kid that on most teams and most offenses could score 25 a night but has bought into Coach Miller's system and their record has shown it. I don't want to say he's slept on because most down south know about Noah but not sure he gets the statewide love he deserves. He's a strong kid that can handle the ball and get to the basket. His outside shot needs to become more consistent to reach that next level in his development but it has improved. Lovan is also aggressive and recognizes the mismatch when him or his teammates have them. The IU Southeast coach was in the house watching him tonight. He finished with a game-high 19 pts.

● 6'2 Pioneer senior Quentin Hesse showed why he is one of the better shooters in the state tonight. Notice, I said 'state' and not just southern Indiana. When Hesse is open you may as well count it. He is a great compliment to Lovan's game. Q is a capable ball handler and is money at the free throw line. This kid would be a great fit for a shooting team in the HCAC like Hanover College. He has been well coached and won't make mistakes to hurt your team. Hesse finished with 13 pts.

● 6'5 junior Dog Chris Lampkins was the best athlete on the floor tonight by a mile. His development is coming along and he's just now realizing how good he can really be. His outside shot is still a work in progress but his aggressiveness, strength, and quickness starting to look elite. He is a tenacious rebounder and on ball defender. He routinely battles with taller players and more than holds his own. His natural position is a wing and with the right coach in the right system could become a lockdown defender at the next level. What level that is exactly depends on this upcoming summer and the development of his ballhandling and jump shot. If those 2 things get polished up, look out. Lampkins finished the night with 13 pts including a monster dunk that ignited the Bulldog crowd.

Providence solidifies themselves to me as the #2 team overall in 2A regardless of what their actual ranking is. They are headed straight on another collision course for current #1 Brownstown in about a month at Southwestern (Hanover). Both teams return to action on their home floors a week from tonight, with Providence hosting North Harrison and New Albany hosting Bedford North Lawrence. The Pioneers improve to15-3 the Dogs fall to 14-5.

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