I was not much in the holiday spirit after going 15-8 (65 percent) last week. Heading into the final week of the 2018 schedule, my overall mark is 84-33, which leaves me at 72 percent for the season.
DECEMBER 27
MARIAN TOURNAMENT
Concord (0-6) vs. Marian (6-0): The top-ranked (Class 3A) Knights crowned Concord, 67-37, a year ago. Michael Johnson managed 10 points for the Minutemen in their 36-28 loss to Jimtown. Coley Quinn managed six points in Marian’s 64-35 win against Mishawaka. Matt’s pick: Marian 69, Concord 48.
Hammond Bishop Noll (4-5) vs. Norwell (6-2): Brandon Scott came up with 21 points for the Warriors in a 71-61 loss to No. 9 (Class 4A) Chesterton. Will Geiger netted 26 points in the Knights’ 57-43 win over Adams Central. Matt’s pick: Norwell 53, Hammond Bishop Noll 47.
Consolation: Hammond Bishop Noll (4-6) vs. Concord (0-7): Matt’s pick: Concord 51, Hammond Noll 47.
Championship: Norwell (7-2) vs. Marian (7-0): Matt’s pick: Marian 77, Norwell 64.
NOBLESVILLE TOURNAMENT
Northridge (4-3) vs. Noblesville (4-4): Camden Knepp tallied 10 points in the Raiders’ 60-59 overtime win over Washington. Zack Johnson added 13 points in the Millers’ 62-48 loss to Indianapolis Pike. The winner-loser takes on Andrean (3-3) or Columbus North (5-3). Matt’s pick: Noblesville 56, Northridge 51.
Consolation round: Northridge (4-4) vs. Andrean (3-4): Matt’s pick: Andrean 61, Northridge 60.
RICHMOND TOURNAMENT
Connersville (6-2) vs. Adams (4-4): Noah Belt chipped in 29 points in the Spartans’ 53-51 win over Greenfield-Central. Quentez Columbus chipped in 20 points in the Eagles’ 80-68 loss to LaPorte. Next up for the winner-loser is Zionsville (6-2) or Indianapolis Home School (9-3). Matt’s pick: Adams 49, Connersville 46.
DECEMBER 28
Clay (2-7) vs. NorthWood (3-6): The Panthers were a 63-53 winner over Clay during the 2016-17 campaign. Jonathon White tallied eight points in the Colonials’ 72-60 loss to Glenn. Jason Borkholder had just four points in NorthWood’s 64-54 loss to Columbia City. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 60, Clay 50.
Riley (8-1) at Benton Harbor (7-0): Blake Wesley came up with nine points in the No. 7 (Class 4A) Wildcats’ 73-55 victory over Plymouth. Chris Conway poured in 24 points for the defending Class B (Michigan) Tigers’ 79-39 triumph against Muskegon Heights. Matt’s pick: Benton Harbor 79, Riley 76.
HIGHLAND TOURNAMENT
Washington (3-4) vs. Hammond Morton (0-7): The Panthers posted a 92-78 win against Hammond Morton a year ago. Brandon Powell mustered just three points for Washington against Northridge. Credell Prather’s 13 points were not enough for the Governors in a 90-55 loss to Lafayette Jeff. Griffith (5-3) or Lake Central (2-5) is next for the winner-loser. Matt’s pick: Washington 75, Hammond Morton 61.
Washington (4-4) VS. Griffith (6-3); Matt’s pick: Washington 73, Griffith 70.
INDIANA WESLEYAN TOURNAMENT
Logansport (8-0) vs. Saint Joseph (3-3): Sam Skaggs netted 30 points in the No. 9 (Class 4A) Berries’ 95-61 win over Pioneer. Jack Futa registered two points in the Indians’ 51-41 win over Elkhart Central. Matt’s pick: Logansport 62, Saint Joseph 53.
Twin Lakes (7-2) vs. Saint Joseph (3-3): The Indians posted a 69-60 win over Twin Lakes in the 2014 Class 3A regional. Jace Stoops recorded 14 points in the Indians’ 55-45 win over Tri-County. Adam O’Dell scored two points for Saint Joseph against Elkhart Central. Matt’s pick: Twin Lakes 51, Saint Joseph 48.
NOBLESVILLE TOURNAMENT
Northridge (4-5) vs. Crown Point (5-3): Matt’s pick: Crown Point 65, Northridge 54.
PLYMOUTH TOURNAMENT
Whitko (2-6) vs. Plymouth (5-3): The Pilgrims claimed a 51-21 win over Whitko during the 2013-14 season. Brett Sickafoose racked up 14 points in the Wildcats’ 51-40 loss to Warsaw. Clay Hilliard’s 20 points couldn’t help Plymouth against Riley. Matt’s pick: Plymouth 57, Whitko 41.
Jimtown (5-1) vs. Knox (7-1): The Jimmies rolled to a 50-26 victory over Knox in the 2014-15 season. Austin Pearison added 15 points for Jimtown against Concord. Elan Coad managed 24 points in the Redskins’ 47-34 win over Boone Grove. Matt’s pick: Jimtown 41, Knox 40.
Consolation: Whitko (2-7) vs. Knox (7-2): Matt’s pick: Knox 41, Whitko 34.
Championship: Plymouth (6-3) vs. Jimtown (6-1): Matt’s pick: Jimtown 59, Plymouth 56.
RICHMOND TOURNAMENT
Adams (4-5) vs. Indianapolis Home School (9-4): Matt’s pick: Adams 70, Home School 61.
Adams (4-6) vs. Lighthouse East (4-9): Matt’s pick: Adams 80, Lighthouse East 65.
WAWASEE TOURNAMENT
Garrett (1-7) vs. Wawasee (2-6): Kobe Lucarelli scored 16 points for the Railroaders in an 81-51 loss to Leo. Ben Hoffert managed 10 points in the Warriors’ 60-52 win at Central Noble. Matt’s pick: Wawasee 44, Garrett 38.
Lakewood Park (3-4) vs. Hanover Central (5-3): Zeke Farnsworth tallied eight points in the Panthers’ 53-38 loss to Angola. Luke Barrach came up with 19 points in the Wildcats’ 59-46 win over Calumet. Matt’s pick: Hanover Central 49, Lakewood Park 46.
Consolation: Garrett (1-8) vs. Lakewood Park (3-5): Matt’s pick: Lakewood Park 43, Garrett 36.
Championship: Wawasee (3-6) vs. Hanover Central (6-3): Matt’s pick: Wawasee 51, Hanover Central 50.
DECEMBER 29
East Noble (7-2) vs. Warsaw (6-3): This contest takes place at Grace College. The Tigers downed East Noble, 58-52, in the 2006 state tournament. Michael Klein netted nine points in the Knights’ 51-47 win over Fairfield. Luke Adamiec tallied nine points in Warsaw’s 50-47 upset of No. 2 (Class 2A) Westview. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 40, East Noble 37.
HIGHLAND TOURNAMENT
Consolation: Highland (2-7) vs. Washington (4-5): Matt’s pick: Washington 69, Highland 51.
RICHMOND TOURNAMENT
Consolation: Adams (5-6) vs. Franklin (6-3): Matt’s pick: Adams 72, Franklin 69.