It proved to be another average performance as I went 16-6 (73 percent) last week. This leaves my overall mark at 143-56, which leaves me at 72 percent for the season.
JANUARY 25
Clay (3-9, 2-5 NIC) at Riley (13-2, 6-0 NIC): The Wildcats cruised to a 100-48 win over Clay last season. Verrontae Johnson added six points in the Colonials’ 61-52 win against Mishawaka. Jaquan Ulmer finished with five points for Riley against Jimtown. Matt’s pick: Riley 76, Clay 54.
Elkhart Memorial (11-4, 3-1 NIC) at Goshen (5-8, 0-4 NIC): The RedHawks slipped by Elkhart Memorial, 53-51, last year. Ben Roby contributed two points in the Chargers’ 63-52 win over Northridge. Porter Revoir came up with six points in Goshen’s 52-43 loss to NorthWood. Matt’s pick: Elkhart Memorial 57, Goshen 43.
Glenn (9-6, 2-4 NIC) at New Prairie (5-8, 0-5 NIC): The Cougars suffered a 54-46 setback to Glenn a season ago. Jack Porter’s two points helped Glenn to a 71-53 win against No. 8 (Class 2A) LaVille. Mike Klemczak registered 17 points in New Prairie’s 47-44 loss to LaVille. Matt’s pick: Glenn 51, New Prairie 44.
Jimtown (8-5, 4-2 NIC) at Bremen (7-6, 2-3 NIC): The Jimmies edged Bremen, 44-41, a year ago. Caaden Beck chipped in two points in the Jimmies’ 57-50 loss to Riley. Reece Willis came up with two points in the Lions’ 40-38 win over Triton. Matt’s pick: Jimtown 42, Bremen 36.
Marian (10-2, 5-1 NIC) at Elkhart Central (2-10, 1-5 NIC): The No. 7 (Class 3A) Knights marched to a 74-39 win over Elkhart Central in their previous matchup. Kyron King managed just two points in Marian’s 74-59 loss at Marquette Catholic. Titus Rodgers recorded eight points in the Blazers’ 54-43 win over Concord. Matt’s pick: Marian 69, Elkhart Central 48.
NorthWood (6-7, 2-2 NLC) at Warsaw (9-4, 4-0 NLC): The Panthers dropped a 42-35 decision to Warsaw last year. Nick Bean racked up eight points for NorthWood against Goshen. Keagan Larsh netted four points for the Tigers in their 64-25 win against Concord. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 59, NorthWood 50.
Penn (11-2, 6-0 NIC) at Mishawaka (7-5, 2-4 NIC): The Kingsmen downed host Mishawaka, 52-48, in last season’s Class 4A sectional opener. Carter Hickey ended up with 10 points in Penn’s 72-53 win over Saint Joseph. Alex Boggs was limited to one point for the Cavemen against Clay. Matt’s pick: Penn 71, Mishawaka 62.
Plymouth (12-3, 4-0 NLC) at Northridge (6-8, 2-2 NLC): The Pilgrims claimed a 53-28 win against Northridge a year ago. Thomas Dolan managed two points in Plymouth’s 56-47 win over Wawasee. Camden Knepp had 13 points for Northridge against Elkhart Memorial. Matt’s pick: Plymouth 60, Northridge 55.
Washington (7-6, 2-3 NIC) at Saint Joseph (5-7, 3-4 NIC): The Indians escaped with a 73-71 victory over Washington a season ago. Jylen Petty netted 15 points in the Panthers’ 61-60 loss to Adams. J.P. Raster ended up with two points for the Indians against Penn. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 63, Washington 62.
Wawasee (3-10, 0-4 NLC) at Concord (2-10, 1-3 NLC): The Minutemen went to overtime to post a 33-30 win against Wawasee in the 2017-18 season. Keaton Dukes scored three points for the Warriors against Plymouth. Brock Troyer’s two points were not enough for Concord against Warsaw. Matt’s pick: Concord 39, Wawasee 35.
JANUARY 26
Clay (3-10) at Northridge (7-8): The Raiders claimed a 57-46 win against Clay a season ago. Josh Black netted nine points for the Colonials in an 89-60 loss at Riley. Carter Stoltzfus tallied 20 points, including the game-winning 3-pointer, for Northridge in a 62-59 win over Plymouth. Matt’s pick: Northridge 61, Clay 48.
Concord (3-10) at LaPorte (9-6): The Slicers are looking to make amends for a 52-49 loss at Concord last season. Michael Johnson poured in 33 points for the Minutemen in their 65-48 win over Wawasee. Garrott Ott-Large managed 12 points in LaPorte’s 67-48 loss at Crown Point. Matt’s pick: LaPorte 54, Concord 45.
Crown Point (8-6) at Washington (8-6): The Bulldogs posted a 62-58 win over Washington a season ago. Elias Gerodemos chipped in 20 points for Crown Point against LaPorte. Jayne Griffin led the way with 19 points in the Panthers’ 64-57 win at Saint Joseph. Matt’s pick: Washington 71, Crown Point 69.
Jimtown (9-5, 5-2 NIC) at Adams (6-9, 3-2 NIC): The Eagles soared to a 60-42 victory against Jimtown last year. Trey Washington and the Jimmies limited Bremen to four points in the second quarter in their 55-48 triumph. Lynn King contributed four points for Adams against Washington. Matt’s pick: Adams 49, Jimtown 46.
New Prairie (5-9) at South Central (2-13): The Satellites came up on the short end of a 51-37 decision to New Prairie a year ago. Chase Ketterer finished with 18 points in the Cougars’ 52-43 setback to Glenn. Zack Christy ended up with 14 points in South Central’s 49-33 loss to LaCrosse. Matt’s pick: New Prairie 53, South Central 40.
Penn (12-2) at Goshen (5-9): The RedHawks registered a 72-64 win at Penn last year. Derek Derda contributed 11 points in the Kingsmen’s 75-51 win at Mishawaka. Bryant Robinson ended up with 14 points in Goshen’s 53-48 loss to Elkhart Memorial. Matt’s pick: Penn 73, Goshen 60.
Plymouth (12-4) at Mishawaka (7-6): The Cavemen dropped a 49-48 contest at Plymouth last season. Cole Filson had 16 points for the Pilgrims against Northridge. Brayshawn White registered 12 points for Mishawaka against Penn. Matt’s pick: Plymouth 49, Mishawaka 44.
Warsaw (10-4) at Elkhart Central (2-11): The Blazers lost 57-41 at Warsaw a year ago. Luke Adamiec recorded 13 points for the Tigers in a 61-47 win over NorthWood. Laz Miller accounted for nine points in Elkhart Central’s 41-24 loss to No. 7 (Class 3A) Marian. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 51, Elkhart Central 41.
Wawasee (3-11) at Lakeland (6-8): The Lakers eliminated Wawasee, 53-43, in last year’s Class 3A NorthWood sectional opener. Josh Slabaugh’s five points was not enough for the Warriors against Concord. Jashaun Poole came up with 12 points in Lakeland’s 55-34 win over Garrett. Matt’s pick: Lakeland 50, Wawasee 47.
