Some improvement was made as I went 16-4 (80 percent) last week. My overall record is now 38-10, which keeps me at 79 percent for the season.
TUESDAY
Clay (0-2) at Goshen (0-4): The RedHawks needed overtime to claim a 70-59 win over Clay last season. Ameer Harris added nine points in the Colonials’ 93-59 loss at No. 1 (Class 1A) Kouts. Zach Subera had four points in Goshen’s 68-50 loss to No. 5 (Class 3A) Saint Joseph. Matt’s pick: Clay 60, Goshen 54.
LaVille (0-0) at Bremen (2-1): The Lancers marched past Bremen, 47-40, a year ago. Bobby Good averaged 11.7 points a game a season ago for defending Class 2A sectional champ LaVille (19-6). Ty Feldman chipped in two points in the Lions’ 59-43 win over South Central. Matt’s pick: LaVille 47, Bremen 43.
NorthWood (3-1) at Jimtown (0-1): The Jimmies suffered a 41-35 overtime loss to NorthWood a season ago. Cade Brenner’s 19 points paved the way in the Panthers’ 46-29 win over Fairfield. Nick Carithers finished with three points in Jimtown’s 83-38 loss to Riley. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 45, Jimtown 39.
THURSDAY
Clay (0-3, 0-1 NIC) at Adams (3-0, 2-0 NIC): The No. 9 (Class 4A) Eagles soared to a 68-60 win against Clay in their previous meeting. Nick Wade managed 10 points in the Colonials’ 56-53 overtime loss at Goshen. Jeremiah Love scored four points in Adams’ 71-58 win over Elkhart. Matt’s pick: Adams 64, Clay 50.
FRIDAY
Adams (4-0) at LaPorte (0-3): The Slicers suffered a 68-47 loss to Adams during the 2019-20 campaign. Lynn King poured in 21 points in the Eagles’ 80-39 win over Clay. Grant Ott-Large finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds in LaPorte’s 46-38 loss to Culver Academy. Matt’s pick: Adams 74, LaPorte 56.
Glenn (1-0) at Columbia City (2-1): Jake Taylor mustered two points in the Falcons’ 53-41 win at Plymouth. Jason Crawford contributed 18 points in the Eagles’ 50-45 loss at Warsaw. Matt’s pick: Glenn 62, Columbia City 59.
Marian (3-1, 0-1 NIC) at Elkhart (3-2, 1-1 NIC): The No. 7 (Class 3A) Knights and Elkhart are meeting for the first time on the hardwood. Deaglan Sullivan scored 14 points in Marian’s 64-43 win over Plymouth. Joe Richardson tallied six points in the Lions’ 59-45 loss to Chesterton. Matt’s pick: Marian 71, Elkhart 68.
New Prairie (4-1, 2-1 NIC) at Jimtown (0-2, 0-1 NIC): The Jimmies cruised to a 55-44 win over New Prairie last season. Rylan McBride racked up 11 points in the Cougars’ 62-42 win over Bremen. Beau Barhams added 15 points in Jimtown’s 62-48 loss to NorthWood. Matt’s pick: New Prairie 51, Jimtown 36.
NorthWood (4-1) at Plymouth (0-4): The Pilgrims downed NorthWood, 52-47, last year. Isaac Raasch netted 21 points for the Panthers against Jimtown. Easton Strain poured in 19 points for Plymouth against Marian. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 53, Plymouth 42.
Riley (4-0, 2-0 NIC) at Saint Joseph (2-1, 0-1 NIC): The Wildcats earned a 64-55 win against No. 6 (Class 3A) Saint Joseph last season. James Boyd managed four points in Riley’s 73-50 win over Fort Wayne North. Connor Litka tallied nine points for the Indians against Goshen. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 79, Riley 77.
Warsaw (3-3) at Wawasee (2-0): The Tigers clawed past Wawasee, 54-36, in their last meeting. Judah Simfukwe racked up 19 points in Warsaw’s 68-55 loss at Crown Point. Grant Brooks registered 11 points in the Warriors’ 61-45 win over Angola. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 44, Wawasee 40.
SATURDAY
Clay (0-4) at Morgan Township (2-1): James Johnson came up with four points for the Colonials against Adams. Tate Ivanyo scored 25 points in the Cherokees’ 72-60 loss to Marquette Catholic. Matt’s pick: Morgan Township 60. Clay 59.
Fairfield (1-3) at Jimtown (0-3): The Jimmies cruised to a 51-26 win over Fairfield a year ago. Braedon Helms added 12 points for the Falcons against NorthWood. Hunter Konrath came up with 11 points for Jimtown against NorthWood. Matt’s pick: Jimtown 37, Fairfield 34.
Homestead (6-0) vs. Saint Joseph (3-1) (Grace College): Fletcher Loyer exploded for 30 points in the No. 3 (Class 4A) Spartans’ 94-56 win over Fort Wayne Bishop Luers. Jack Futa neted 19 points in the Indians’ 81-73 win over Riley. Matt’s pick: Homestead 84, Saint Joseph 76.
LaVille (1-1) at Glenn (2-0): The Falcons soared to a 54-46 win over LaVille during the 2019-20 campaign. Andrew Dill’s 13 points paved the way in the Lancers’ 51-35 win over Pioneer. Brycen Hannah netted 11 points in Glenn’s 53-47 win at Columbia City. Matt’s pick: Glenn 52, LaVille 43.
Portage (1-2) vs. Warsaw (4-3) (Grace College): Kamari Slaughter had 17 points in the Indians’ 69-57 loss to Lowell. Brock Poe managed 16 points in the Tigers’ 63-48 win at Wawasee. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 58, Portage 56.
Riley (4-1) vs. Fort Wayne Snider (4-1) (Grace College): Jackson Copley added 16 points for the Wildcats against Saint Joseph. Karson Jenkins racked up 31 points in the Panthers’ 80-65 victory over Fort Wayne Wayne. Matt’s pick: Riley 80, Fort Wayne Snider 77.
Triton (3-1) at Plymouth (0-5): The Pilgrims held on for a 41-38 win over Triton a season ago. Ashton Oviedo tallied 26 points in the Trojans’ 60-44 win over Bethany Christian. Cam Weidner’s nine points were not enough in Plymouth’s 42-32 loss to NorthWood. Matt’s pick: Triton 40, Plymouth 36.
Valparaiso (3-0) at Elkhart (3-3): Colton Jones recorded 16 points in the Vikings’ 46-43 win over No. 10 (Class 1A) Gary 21st Century. Malachi Emmons chipped in 14 points in the Lions’ 53-50 loss to Marian. Matt’s pick: Valparaiso 64, Elkhart 58.