I will look to improve on last year’s record of 320-87 (79 percent) as I choose Northern Indiana and Northern Lakes Conference games for the 13th straight season. Records are 2022-23 final unless indicated.
TUESDAY
Northridge (15-11) at Elkhart (6-17): The Raiders claimed a 51-43 win over Elkhart last season. Will Coatie takes over for Kyle Sears on the Lions’ bench. Mason Bailes tallied 11.2 points per game Northridge a year ago. Mickey Gilbert averaged 4.2 points a contest for Elkhart. Matt’s pick: Northridge 54, Elkhart 46.
Riley (13-10) at LaPorte (17-7): The Slicers earned a 60-51 win at Riley a year ago. Marvin Schindler came up with 15.7 points per game for the Wildcats. Dylan Salisbury chipped in 3.1 points a contest for LaPorte. Matt’s pick: Riley 71, LaPorte 68.
Victory Christian (1-0) at Adams (8-14): The Eagles soared to an 82-74 win against Victory Christian last year. The Lions posted a 69-41 win over Heritage Christian on November 13. Amari Wesson came up with 9.5 points a game for Adams. Matt’s pick: Adams 75, Victory Christian 60.
Wawasee (9-14) at Fairfield (8-15): The Falcons earned a 74-65 win over Wawasee a season ago. Lou Lefevre replaces Jon Everingham as the Warriors’ top man. Collin Ziebarth is one of Wawasee’s leaders. Noah Mast is back to help Fairfield. Matt’s pick: Wawasee 52, Fairfield 47.
WEDNESDAY
Argos (15-8) at Bremen (2-21): The Dragons cruised to a 46-30 win over Bremen to open the 2022-23 campaign. Luke Stuts accounted for 10.3 points per game for Argos. Silas Laidig is one of the returning players for the Lions. Matt’s pick: Argos 43, Bremen 35.
Concord (11-11) at Prairie Heights (16-9): The Panthers were a 47-33 winner over Concord a season ago. Braeden Messenger is one of the senior leaders who averaged 12 points a game for the Minutemen. Cade Bachelor recorded 12.4 points per contest for Prairie Heights. Matt’s pick: Concord 51, Prairie Heights 47.
Highland (3-21) at Clay (11-12): The Colonials marched Highland, 75-47, last year. Kristijan Zekavica amassed 10.1 points a contest for the Trojans. Tyrese Jones managed 11.5 points a game for Clay. Matt’s pick: Clay 63, Highland 55.
Mishawaka (20-7) at Tippecanoe Valley (18-6): The Cavemen managed a 62-57 win over Tippecanoe Valley last season. Cooper Pritchett returns after helping Mishawaka to its first sectional crown since 1986. Riley Shepherd racked up 8.2 points a contest for the Vikings. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 58, Tippecanoe Valley 53.
Plymouth (10-13) at Glenn (17-11): The Pilgrims downed Glenn, 46-37, in their last meeting. Kadyn Ellery recorded 8.2 points per game for Plymouth. Joe Chrapliwy is one of the Falcons’ standouts who netted 11.6 points a contest. Matt’s pick: Glenn 54, Plymouth 49
SATURDAY
Angola (8-15) at Wawasee (1-0): The Warriors posted a 56-44 win over Angola last year. Dane Lantz contributed 12.5 points per game for the Hornets in the 2022-23 campaign. Maddux Everingham’s 13 points lifted Wawasee to a 47-43 win over Fairfield. Matt’s pick: Wawasee 51, Angola 46.
Career Academy (11-13) at Plymouth (1-0): Kalen Allen recorded 7.8 points a contest for the Trailblazers. Preston Wolfe netted 13 points in the Pilgrims’ 59-43 win over Glenn. Matt’s pick: Plymouth 61, Career Academy 43.
Carroll (Fort Wayne) (1-0) at Penn (28-2): The Kingsmen crowned Carroll, 88-64, a season ago. Former Valparaiso boss Barak Coolman takes over for Al Rhodes at Penn. Jaiyre Sampson poured in 21 points in the Chargers’ 66-49 win over Norwell. Trey Miller chipped in 3.9 points per contest for the Kingsmen. Matt’s pick: Carroll 64, Penn 57.
Chesterton (20-6) at Elkhart (0-1): The Trojans marched past Elkhart, 78-44, last season. Tyler Parrish helped Chesterton to its second straight Class 4A sectional championship. Alonzo Newbern drained a three-pointer in the Lions’ 83-60 loss to Northridge. Matt’s pick: Chesterton 68, Elkhart 49.
Fairfield (0-1) at Goshen (11-12): The RedHawks managed a 50-41 win over Fairfield in their previous meeting. Alex Hofer’s eight points were not enough for the Falcons against Wawasee. Gage Worthman recorded 11.3 points per game for Goshen. Matt’s pick: Goshen 45, Fairfield 42.
Lake Central (16-9) at Washington (18-6): The Panthers squeezed past Lake Central, 70-67, a year ago. Ryan Sexson replaces Dave Milausnic as the Indians’ sideline leader. Jake Smith came up with 10.7 points a contest for Lake Central. Steven Reynolds III is back for Washington after averaging 13.3 points a game. Matt’s pick: Washington 63, Lake Central 60.
Warsaw (14-10) at Columbia City (0-1): The Tigers clawed past Columbia City, 67-55, during the 2022-23 season. Luke Bricker amassed 8.3 points a contest for Warsaw. Aiden Denning averaged 4.9 points a game for the Eagles, who are looking to bounce back from a 54-51 overtime loss to Whitko. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 57, Columbia City 51.
Westview (1-0) at Northridge (1-0): The Raiders held on for a 63-61 victory against Westview last season. Wyatt Zepp tallied 23 points in the Warriors; 66-54 win over Bethany Christian. James Cranston chipped in 11 points for Northridge against Elkhart. Matt’s pick: Northridge 67, Westview 63.