After finishing at 76 percent last year, I will once again attempt to achieve the 80 percent mark picking Northern Indiana and Northern Lakes Conference games this coming season.
NOVEMBER 26
Northridge (19-9) at Elkhart Central (5-17): The Raiders downed Elkhart Central, 73-57, a year ago. Scott Sekai takes over for Barry Singrey at Elkhart Central. Alex Stauffer netted 275 points last year for Northridge. Cam’ron Daniels averaged 5.9 points per game for the Blazers. Matt’s pick: Northridge 66, Elkhart Central 55.
Riley (18-5) at LaPorte (12-11): The wildcats clawed past LaPorte, 60-54, last season. Former Riley standout Andre Owens returns to his alma mater to replace Jared Drake, Blake Wesley tallied 287 points for Riley. Garrott Ott-Large poured in 285 points for the Slicers.Matt’s pick: Riley 70, LaPorte 61.
Career Academy (6-16) vs. New Prairie (7-16): The Cougars held on for a 58-52 win over Career Academy a season ago. Mike Bauer replaces Kris Davis at New Prairie. De’Andre Coleman poured in 329 points for the Trailblazers. Brayden Flagg came up with 169 points for New Prairie. Matt’s pick: New Prairie 57, Career Academy 50.
Wawasee (6-17) at Fairfield (15-8): The Falcons flew past Wawasee, 51-40, last year. Randy DeShone returns to the sidelines to replace Troy Beachy at Fairfield. Austin Miller ended up with 271 points for the Warriors. Nolin Sharick recorded 297 points for Fairfield. Matt’s pick: Fairfield 61, Wawasee 52.
NOVEMBER 27
Argos (22-5) at Bremen (10-13): The two teams split a pair of contests in 2018-19 with the Lions winning 41-38 over Argos, while the Dragons claimed a 46-36 decision over Bremen. Owen Nifong racked up 330 points last year for Argos.Trevor devine netted 81 points for Bremen. Matt’s pick: Argos 54, Bremen 40.
Concord (7-16) at Prairie Heights (20-6): The Panthers came away with a 55-45 win over Concord in their previous meeting. Jack D’Arcy chipped in 26 points for the Minutemen. Eliajah Malone contributed 352 points for Prairie Heights. Matt’s pick: Prarie heights 51, Concord 48.
Lakeland (7-16) at NorthWood (10-13): The Lakers are looking to make amends for a 53-49 loss to NorthWood a season ago. Brayden Bontrager threw in 379 points for Lakeland. Ben Vincent registered 280 points for the Panthers. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 47, Lakeland 43.
Plymouth (15-9) at Glenn (10-13): The Pilgrims slipped by Glenn, 58-52, last year. Jake Reichard tossed in 286 points for Plymouth. Robbie Porter netted 282 points for the Falcons. Matt’s pick: Plymouth 56, Glenn 54.
Warsaw (15-8) at Tippecanoe Valley (15-10): The Vikings suffered a 67-39 setback at Warsaw last season. Wyatt Amiss recorded 144 points for the Tigers. Tanner Trippiedi ended up with 252 points for Tippecanoe Valley. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 62, Tippecanoe Valley 57.
NOVEMBER 30
Angola (20-6) at Wawasee (1-0): The Hornets posted a 30-26 win over Wawasee last season. Dyer Ball is one of the senior leaders for Angola. Jack Stover netted 10 points for the Warriors in their 44-37 win over Fairfield. Matt’s pick: Angola 36, Wawasee 31.
Carroll (Fort Wayne) (15-8) at Penn (24-4): The Kingsmen cruised to a 69-45 win over Carroll (Fort Wayne) in the 2018-19 campaign. Richie Gross averaged five points a game for the Chargers. Carter Hickey tallied 148 points for Penn. Matt’s pick: Carroll 54, Penn 49.
Clay (4-18) at LaPorte (0-1): The Slicers earned a 67-62 win against Clay a season ago. Robert Allen registered 174 points for the Colonials. Carson Crass tallied 12 points in LaPorte’s 70-66 loss to Riley. Matt’s pick: LaPorte 63, Clay 53.
Fairfield (0-1) at Goshen (8-15): The Falcons soared to a 53-43 win over Goshen in their previous meeting. Owen Miller came up with seven points for Fairfield against Wawasee. Drew Hogan netted 120 points for the RedHawks. Matt’s pick: Fairfield 42, Goshen 39.
Lake Central (1-0) at Washington (14-11): The Panthers roared to a 65-49 win over Lake Central a season ago. Nick Anderson exploded for 35 points in the Indians’ 58-47 win over defending Class 2A state champion Andrean. Matt’s pick: Washington 71, Lake Central 67.
New Prairie (1-0) at Plymouth (0-1): The Cougars dropped a 56-52 decision to Plymouth last year. Hunter Smith hauled down eight rebounds in New Prairie’s 73-52 win over Career Academy. Joe Barron came up with 10 points in the Pilgrims’ 64-45 loss at Glenn. Matt’s pick: Plymouth 51, New Prairie 47.
NorthWood (1-0) vs. Heritage Christian (0-1): The Eagles flew past NorthWood, 57-44, a year ago. This contest takes place at Muncie Burris with the winner/loser taking on Danville (0-0) or the host Owls (0-1). Trent Edwards recorded 17 points in the Panthers’ 75-43 win over Lakeland. Jack Belt poured in 14 points in Heritage Christian’s 78-45 loss to Columbus North. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 61, Heritage Christian 45.
Warsaw (1-0) at Columbia City (0-1): The Tigers clawed to a 56-35 win against Columbia City last season. Brock Poe contributed 14 points Warsaw’s 61-37 win over Tippecanoe Valley. The Eagles opened the 2019-20 campaign with a 70-65 loss to Whitko. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 63, Columbia City 52.
Westview (25-6) at Northridge (1-0): The Warriors marched to a 60-45 win over Northridge a season ago. Charlie Yoder racked up 734 points for Westview. Carter Stolzfus chipped in 21 points in the Raiders’ 64-37 win against Elkhart Central. Matt’s pick: Westview 67, Northridge 60.