Some progress was made as I posted an 18-5 (78 percent) last week. This leaves me with an overall record of 49-20, which bumps me up to 71 percent for the year.
DECEMBER 11
Elkhart Christian (3-2) at Mishawaka (1-3): The Eagles soared to a 50-46 win over Mishawaka a year ago. Gabe Arter was limited to six points in Elkhart Christian’s 90-36 loss to No. 4 (Class 1A) Fort Wayne Blackhawk. Tre Jeffries netted seven points for the Cavemen against Riley. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 55, Elkhart Christian 40.
Saint Joseph (3-2) at Goshen (1-3): This contest was postponed on December 9 because of the weather. The RedHawks flew past Saint Joe, 53-45, last year. Adam O’Dell racked up six points for the Indians in an 84-55 loss to Riley. Joe Good scored only three points in Goshen’s 66-39 loss at Carroll (Fort Wayne). Matt’s pick: Saint Joe 64, Goshen 53.
DECEMBER 12
Concord (1-3) at Riley (6-0): The Wildcats cruised to a 73-51 win over Concord a season ago. Michael Johnson tallied 10 points for the Minutemen in their 66-37 loss to Penn. Gabe Johnson chipped in 12 points in Riley’s 81-75 overtime victory over Pickerington North (Ohio). Matt’s pick: Riley 76, Concord 58.
Jimtown (2-2) at NorthWood (3-2): The Jimmies dropped a 65-24 decision to NorthWood last year. Austin Pearison accounted for 23 points in Jimtown’s 35-33 win at Argos. Caleb Lung netted seven points in the No. 3 (Class 3A) Panthers’ 45-42 loss to Fairfield. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 60, Jimtown 49.
Marian (3-0) at Culver Academy (3-2): The No. 7 (Class 3A) Eagles slipped past Marian, 51-47, last season. Michael Hemmingway contributed 15 points in the Knights’ 58-50 win at Adams. Trey Galloway recorded 21 points in Culver Academy’s 42-40 loss to No. 7 (Class 4A) Lawrence North. Matt’s pick: Culver Academy 55, Marian 52.
Oregon-Davis (2-2) at New Prairie (2-3): The Cougars clawed by Oregon-Davis, 58-49, a year ago. Lance Campbell tallied 10 points in the Bobcats’ 56-53 loss to Tippecanoe Valley. Michael Forrester finished with eight points in New Prairie’s 52-36 win over Jimtown. Matt’s pick: New Prairie 52, Oregon-Davis 43.
DECEMBER 14
Clay (0-4, 0-2 NIC) at New Prairie (2-3, 1-1 NIC): The Colonials suffered a 50-43 loss to Clay in their last meeting. Jalen Alberts scored 10 points in Clay’s 84-50 loss to Washington. Jacob Tuttle managed 12 points for the Cougars against Jimtown. Matt’s pick: New Prairie 52, Clay 41.
Glenn (4-1, 2-0 NIC) at Marian (3-0, 2-0 NIC): The Knights edged Glenn, 40-38, last season. Jake Morris racked up four points in the Falcons’ 53-51 win over Elkhart Central. Michael Hemmingway poured in 16 points for Marian against Adams. Matt’s pick: Marian 61, Glenn 54.
Washington (4-0, 2-0 NIC) at Penn (2-0, 1-0 NIC): The Panthers clawed their way to 52-49 victory over Penn a year ago. Damarcus Vaughn had nine points for Washington against Clay. Noah Krathwohl came up with eight points for the Kingsmen against Concord. Matt’s pick: Penn 70, Washington 68.
DECEMBER 15
Bremen (1-4, 0-2 NIC) at Mishawaka (2-3, 0-1 NIC): The Cavemen were a 63-49 winner over Bremen a year ago. Bryce Sterling managed only three points in the Lions’ 51-25 loss to Saint Joseph. C.J. Fisher tallied two points in Mishawaka’s 59-52 win over Elkhart Christian. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 49, Bremen 42.
Concord (1-3) at Elkhart Memorial (3-1): The Chargers edged Concord, 56-53, last season. Ethan Cain had five points for the Minutemen in a 66-37 loss to Penn. Trey Gallope poured 18 points in Memorial’s 73-62 win at LaPorte. Matt’s pick: Elkhart Memorial 58, Concord 50.
Plymouth (5-1) at NorthWood (4-2): The No. 10 (Class 3A) Panthers needed overtime to earn a 66-62 win over Plymouth last year. Garrett Tharp tallied 15 points in the Pilgrims’ 48-40 win over Peru. Kaden Gongwer scored eight points in NorthWood’s 56-25 win over Jimtown. Matt’s pick: Plymouth 57, NorthWood 56.
Riley (6-0) at Adams (2-3): The Eagles won two of the three meetings against No. 2 (Class 4A) Riley a season ago, including a 73-72 triumph in the sectional opener. Shamar Dillard chipped in 20 points for the Wildcats against Pickerington North. Nick Fulmer racked up 14 points for Adams against Marian. Matt’s pick: Riley 75, Adams 68.
Wawasee (1-3) at Warsaw (2-3): The Tigers roared to a 56-25 victory against Wawasee in their last meeting. Jarius Boyer finished with seven points in the Warriors’ 44-43 loss at Whitko. Brian Elliott had 10 points in Warsaw’s 63-51 loss to Lake Central. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 59, Wawasee 43.
DECEMBER 16
Crown Point (1-2) at Warsaw (2-3): The Bulldogs went to overtime to claim a 50-46 win over Warsaw last season. Elias Gerodemos netted 21 points in Crown Point’s 61-58 win over East Chicago Central. Jaylen Reese tallied seven points for the Tigers against Lake Central. Matt’s pick: Crown Point 51, Warsaw 46.
Elkhart Memorial (3-1) at Valparaiso (5-0): The Vikings marched past Memorial, 72-54, a year ago. Iyan Jennings contributed 13 points for the Chargers against LaPorte. Nate Aerts poured in 17 points in Valparaiso’s 58-44 win at East Chicago Central. Matt’s pick: Valparaiso 62, Elkhart Memorial 52.
Glenn (5-1) at LaVille (5-0): The Lancers posted a 73-58 win over Glenn in their last meeting. The Falcons outscored Marian, 15-5, in the third quarter of their 49-48 win. Jacob Good chipped in 15 points in LaVille’s 57-27 win over Winamac. Matt’s pick: Glenn 50, LaVille 49.
Jimtown (2-3) at Fairfield (3-2): The Jimmies slipped past Fairfield, 44-29, a season ago. Preston Phillips came up with four points for Jimtown against NorthWood. Luke Stephens racked up 25 points in the Falcons’ 45-41 win at NorthWood. Matt’s pick: Fairfield 41, Jimtown 34.
Northridge (2-2) at Goshen (2-3): The Raiders were a 72-51 winner against Goshen last year. Nick Yoder chipped in 12 points in Northridge’s 41-35 win over Angola. Bryant Robinson tallied 15 points in the RedHawks’ 45-41 win over Saint Joseph. Matt’s pick: Northridge 49, Goshen 41.
Penn (2-1) at Michigan City (2-3): The Wolves rambled past Penn. 63-43, last season. Drew Lutz finished with 13 points in the Kingsmen’s 64-60 loss to Washington. Alex Thomas managed just 11 points in Michigan City’s 62-48 setback to East Chicago Central. Matt’s pick: Penn 66, Michigan City 62.
Portage (3-2) at Riley (6-0): The Wildcats clawed by Portage, 91-58, during the 2015-16 campaign. Ian Mulle scored 19 points in the Indians’ 48-40 win over Lowell. Jalen Jennings accounted for five points for Riley against Pickerington North. Matt’s pick: Riley 78, Portage 61.
Saint Joseph (3-3, 1-1 NIC) at Elkhart Central (3-2, 1-1 NIC): The Indians suffered a 56-54 loss to Elkhart Central in their last matchup. Brady Powers contributed 11 points for the Saint Joe against Goshen. Keldon Warrell had 16 points in the Blazers against Glenn. Matt’s pick: Elkhart Central 60, Saint Joseph 57.
Washington (5-0) at Gary 21st Century (5-3): The Panthers pounced past Gary 21st Century, 62-54, a year ago. Cade Walberg tallied 13 points for Washington against Penn. Deandre Gholston recorded 23 points for the Cougars in a 74-62 win over Marquette Catholic. Matt’s pick: Washington 73, Gary 21st Century 67.