A little more progress took place as I went 18-6 (75 percent) last week. Heading into the final month of the regular season, my overall record is now 164-58, which keeps me at 74 percent.
FEBRUARY 4
Elkhart Christian (8-7) at Jimtown (10-5): The Jimmies slipped past Elkhart Christian, 38-34, a year ago. Luke Burns accounted for 15 points in the Eagles’ 63-53 win over Oregon-Davis. Hunter Konrath had four points in Jimtown’s 48-34 win over Bremen. Matt’s pick: Jimtown 55, Elkhart Christian 41
Clay (2-12) at Benton Harbor (11-1): The No. 5 (Division 2) Michigan-based Tigers cruised to an 88-58 win over Clay in the 2017-18 campaign. Tim Kranke’s six points were not enough for the Colonials in their 68-45 loss to Riley. Butler recruit Carlos Johnson netted 19 points in Benton Harbor’s 73-51 victory over defending Division 1 state champion Ypsilanti Lincoln. Matt’s pick: Benton Harbor 86, Clay 61
FEBRUARY 6
Bremen (4-11, 0-7 NIC) at Clay (2-13, 0-8 NIC): The Colonials held on for a 59-54 win against Bremen last season. Trevor Devine netted 15 points for the Lions against Jimtown. Robert Allen finished with nine points in Clay’s 78-65 loss to Benton Harbor. Matt’s pick: Clay 66, Bremen 52.
Elkhart Central (6-8, 3-4 NIC) at Jimtown (11-5, 4-4 NIC): The Blazers suffered a 59-36 loss to Jimtown last year. Luke Teich came up with six points in Elkhart Central’s 58-57 win at Warsaw. Clay Campbell scored 13 points in the Jimmies’ 46-41 win over Elkhart Christian. Matt’s pick: Jintown 57, Elkhart Central 54.
Glenn (13-4, 4-4 NIC) at Adams (14-2, 6-0 NIC): The No. 8 (Class 4A) Eagles claimed a 60-44 win over Glenn a season ago. Jake Frankiewicz had 10 points in the Falcons’ 58-53 win over New Prairie. Quentez Columbus scored 10 points in Adams’ 58-43 win over Lakeshore (Michigan). Matt’s pick: Adams 71, Glenn 60
Marquette Catholic (4-10) at Marian (10-4): The Blazers soared to a 74-59 win against No. 7 (Class 3A) Marian in their previous meeting. Jake Tarnow managed 18 points in Marquette Catholic’s 53-50 win over Crete-Monee (Illinois). Kaleo Kakalia managed just two points in the Knights’ 49-46 loss at Hamilton Southeastern. Matt’s pick: Marian 73, Marquette Catholic 51
Mishawaka (7-7, 2-5 NIC) at Washington (10-8, 4-3 NIC): The Panthers clawed their way to 60-56 win against Mishawaka a year ago. Alex Boggs added two points for the Cavemen in their 58-50 win at Plymouth. Jalen Miller’s two points lifted Washington to a 61-59 win against Crown Point. Matt’s pick: Washington 62, Mishawaka 56.
New Prairie (9-7, 1-5 NIC) at Saint Joseph (11-4, 6-2 NIC): The No. 9 (Class 3A) Indians posted a 52-47 win against New Prairie last year. Chase Ketterer accounted for 14 points for the Cougars against Glenn. J.R. Konieczny’a 22 points were not enough for Saint Joseoh in its 67-60 loss to Washington. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 70, New Prairie 58.
NorthWood (11-4, 3-2 NLC) at Concord (1-12, 0-5 NLC): The Minutemen earned a 44-41 win over NorthWood last season. Brock Flickinger poured in 10 points in the Panthers’ 56-44 win against Warsaw. Payton Fish recorded 13 points for Concord in its 59-47 loss to LaPorte. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 53, Concord 40.
Plymouth (6-11, 3-2 NLC) at Goshen (8-7, 1-4 NLC): The Pilgrims came away with a pair of victories against Goshen in the 2018-19 season by counts of 50-43 and 58-36. Brady Hissong registered nine points for Plymouth against Mishawaka. Quinn Bechtel added seven points in the RedHawks’ 51-31 win at Penn. Matt’s pick: Goshen 50, Plymouth 41.
Riley (9-7, 5-2 NIC) at Penn (7-8, 5-2 NIC): The Wildcats suffered a pair of losses to Penn a season ago by scores of 63-61 and 50-48. Blake Wesley poured in 31 points for Riley against Clay. Seamus Penney mustered just one point for the Kingsmen against Goshen. Matt’s pick: Penn 64, Riley 61.
Warsaw (10-5, 3-2 NLC) at Elkhart Memorial (9-7, 3-2 NLC): The Chargers downed Warsaw, 48-45, during the regular season last year, while the Tigers eliminated Elkhart Memorial from the Class 4A Elkhart Sectional with a 68-50 triumph. Jackson Dawson came up with six points for Warsaw against Elkhart Central. Brandon Brooks’ 17 points lifted Elkhart Memorial to a 56-49 win over Goshen. Matt’s pick: Elkhart Memorial 55, Warsaw 52.
Wawasee (11-5, 2-3 NLC) at Northridge (11-5, 5-0 NLC): The Raiders rolled to a 70-49 win against Wawasee a year ago. Ethan Hardy racked up six points in the Warriors’ 39-25 win over Lakeland. Clay Stoltzfus accounted for five points in Northridge’s 73-33 win at Plymouth. Matt’s pick: Northridge 54, Wawasee 49.
FEBRUARY 8
Adams (15-2) at Michigan City (11-5): The Wolves claimed a 64-54 win over Adams last season. Lynn King’s nine points helped the Eagles rally for a 68-52 win over Glenn. Jamie Hodges, Jr. added 13 points in Michigan City’s 74-68 overtime setback to No. 5 (Class 4A) Chesterton. Matt’s pick: Adams 80, Michigan City 75.
Elkhart Memorial (10-7) at Marian (11-4): The Chargers dropped a 58-54 decision to Marian last year. Malachi Emmons poured in 21 points in Elkhart Memorial’s 59-46 win over Warsaw. Davion Taylor chipped in nine points for the Knights in their 85-36 win over Marquette Catholic. Matt’s pick: Marian 73, Elkhart Memorial 64.
Northridge (12-5) at Jimtown (12-5): The Jimmies came up on the short end of a 55-45 decision a season ago. Micah Hochstetler finished with three points in the Raiders’ 73-36 win over Wawasee. Blake Garretson scored six points, including the game-winning basket, in Jimtown’s 56-54 win over Elkhart Central. Matt’s pick: Northridge 53, Jimtown 50.
Plymouth (6-12) at Westview (14-3): The No. 6 (Class 2A) Warriors posted a 62-52 win against Plymouth in the 2017-18 campaign. Davis Wray managed four points in the Pilgrims’ 44-27 loss to Goshen. Mason Yoder tallied seven points for Westview in a 59-45 win over West Noble. Matt’s pick: Westview 65, Plymouth 48.
