The final full week of January produced a 15-6 (71 percent) record for me. Heading into the final month of the regular season, my overall record is now 170-60, which keeps me at 74 percent for the season.
MONDAY
Bremen (6-6, 1-3 NIC) at Adams (6-8, 3-2 NIC): The Eagles claimed a 53-48 win against Bremen last season. Ty Graverson’s nine points were not enough in the Lions’ 57-48 loss to Clay. Amari Wesson recorded 10 points in Adams’ 52-49 loss to Glenn. Matt’s pick: Adams 51, Bremen 44.
Clay (8-7) at Mishawaka (9-4): The Cavemen cruised to an 83-62 win over Clay a year ago. Brad Hicks racked up 16 points in the Colonials’ 90-49 win over Cassopolis. Brady Fisher accounted for 12 points in Mishawaka’s 50-44 win over Goshen. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 68, Clay 57.
TUESDAY
Culver Academy (6-7) at Saint Joseph (9-7): The Eagles soared to a 61-41 win over Saint Joseph last year. Culver Academy halted a four-game losing streak with a 57-42 win over Bowman Academy. Brady Mansfield racked up three points in Saint Joe’s 69-32 win over New Prairie. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 55, Culver Academy 49.
Elkhart Christian (10-4) at Jimtown (6-8): The Jimmies downed Elkhart Christian, 51-47, a season ago. Aaron Hibbard tallied 14 points in the Eagles’ 60-36 win over Oregon-Davis. Dylan Fey’s 14 points were not enough in Jimtown’s 36-29 loss to Tippecanoe Valley. Matt’s pick: Jimtown 37, Elkhart Christian 33.
THURSDAY
Adams (7-8, 4-2 NIC) at Jimtown (7-8, 4-3 NIC): The Jimmies are looking to make amends for a 79-50 loss to Adams during the 2022-23 season. Carter Johnston added two points in the Eagles’ 59-46 win over Bremen. Bishop Williams tallied 14 points in Jimtown’s 57-56 overtime win over Elkhart Christian. Matt’s pick: Jimtown 52, Adams 49.
Bremen (6-7, 1-4 NIC) at Marian (8-8, 3-1 NIC): The Knights crowned Bremen, 68-26, in their previous matchup. Chase Devine accounted for 15 points for the Lions against Adams. Paxan Sullivan managed nine points in Marian’s 73-48 win over Washington. Matt’s pick: Marian 75, Bremen 55.
Clay (8-8, 2-6 NIC) at Saint Joseph (10-7, 4-2 NIC): The Colonials dropped an 88-83 overtime decision to Saint Joseph a year ago. Tyrese Jones finished with 26 points for Clay in its 61-47 loss against Mishawaka. Jayce Lee managed 17 points in Saint Joe’s 65-30 win over Culver Academy. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 74, Clay 61.
Elkhart (1-15, 0-6 NIC) at New Prairie (3-13, 0-7 NIC): The Lions roared past New Prairie, 71-56, last year. Frankie Willis scored 19 points in Elkhart’s 43-40 loss to Warsaw. Colton Griffith’s six points lifted the Cougars to a 49-48 win over South Central. Matt’s pick: Elkhart 47, New Prairie 42.
NorthWood (10-5, 4-1 NLC) at Concord (14-2, 4-1 NLC): The No. 9 and defending Class 3A state champion Panthers posted a 54-42 win over Concord a season ago. Tyler Raasch finished with nine points in NorthWood’s 35-34 loss to Warsaw. Braeden Messenger poured in 20 points in the Minutemen’s 56-50 win over LaPorte. Matt’s pick: Concord 38, NorthWood 36.
Penn (11-4, 6-1 NIC) at Glenn (9-6, 3-3 NIC): The Kingsmen rolled to an 88-44 win over Glenn a year ago. Tommy Harringer racked up 13 points in Penn’s 60-57 win over Goshen. Joey Shouse’s seven points lifted the Falcons to a 52-49 win over Adams. Matt’s pick: Penn 62, Glenn 60.
Plymouth (6-9, 1-4 NLC) at Goshen (4-10, 0-5 NLC): The Pilgrims needed overtime to earn a 57-51 win over Goshen last season. Coby Walters mustered 11 points in Plymouth’s 79-62 win over Northridge. Gage Worthman scored nine points for the RedHawks against Penn. Matt’s pick: Plymouth 46, Goshen 41.
Washington (7-8, 5-3 NIC) at Riley (15-4, 7-1 NIC): The Panthers cruised to an 80-37 victory against Riley during the 2021-22 campaign. Andre Wells’ six points were not enough in Washington’s 85-64 loss at Crown Point. Manny Hill amassed 13 points in the Wildcats’ 66-54 loss to Penn. Matt’s pick: Riley 77. Washington 66.
Warsaw (11-3, 3-2 NLC) at Mishawaka (10-4, 3-1 NLC): The Tigers rallied for 57-54 win over Mishawaka last year. Luke Bricker’s nine points helped Warsaw past Elkhart. Rashauun Johnson recorded 10 points for the Cavemen-against Clay. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 51, Warsaw 50.
Wawasee (5-11, 1-3 NLC) at Northridge (12-4, 3-2 NLC): The Raiders managed a 74-54 win against Wawasee a season ago. Maddux Everingham notched 25 points in the Warriors’ 69-67 loss to Lakeland. Cam Radeker netted 13 points for Northridge against Plymouth. Matt’s pick: Northridge 58, Wawasee 48.
SATURDAY
Beech Grove (3-14) at NorthWood (10-6): The Hornets stung defending Class 3A state champion NorthWood, 55-51, a season ago. Tyris Reed accounted for 12 points in Beech Grove’s 54-53 loss to defending Class 1A state champion Indianapolis Lutheran, Owen Roeder managed eight points in the Panthers’ 47-29 loss at Concord. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 59, Beech Grove 46.
Bremen (6-8) at Oregon-Davis (4-12): The Lions roared to a 42-32 win over Oregon-Davis in their last meeting. Aden Hunziker ended with three points for Bremen against Clay. Carson Mathew had 21 points in the Bobcats’ 60-39 loss to Winamac. Matt’s pick: Bremen 44, Oregon-Davis 35.
Career Academy (3-12) at Marian (9-8): The Knights rolled to a 103-25 win over Career Academy in the 2014-15 season. Ashton Murray notched 22 points in the Trailblazers’ 59-51 loss to Bethny Christian. Jordan Maust tallied 16 points for Marian against Bremen. Matt’s pick: Marian 75, Career Academy 50.
Northridge (13-4) at Jimtown (8-8): The Jimmies dropped a 69-40 contest to Northridge last year. Brady Scholl poured in 34 points in the Raiders’ 57-50 win over Wawasee. Branden King chipped in nine points in Jimtown’s 57-43 win over Adams. Matt’s pick: Northridge 63, Jimtown 61.
Plymouth (6-10) at Westview (12-4): The Warriors claimed a 47-34 win against Plymouth last season. Trent Van Duyne mustered 17 points in the Pilgrims’ 62-56 overtime loss at Goshen. Kaden Grau mustered eight points in Westview’s 48-45 win over West Noble. Matt’s pick: Westview 54, Plymouth 47.
Portage (9-8) at Adams (7-9): The Indians earned a 76-62 win over Adams in the 1999-2000 campaign. Jaysean King registered 14 points in Portage’s 60-52 win over Michigan City. Lemonz Jones ended with three points for the Eagles against Jimtown. Matt’s pick: Portage 66, Adams 62.
Warsaw (11-4) at Chesterton (10-6): The Trojans marched past Warsaw, 71-56, a year ago. Carson Gould contributed eight points in the Tigers’ 56-54 overtime loss at Mishawaka. Tyler Parrish poured in 36 points, including 21-of-22 from the free throw line, in Chesterton’s 73-66 overtime win over Michigan City. Matt’s pick: Chesterton 67. Warsaw 64.
Washington (7-9) at Mishawaka (11-4): The Cavemen lost 56-49 to Washington during the 2019-20 season. Mike Stuckey contributed six points in the Panthers’ 75-48 loss to Riley. Cooper Pritchett tallied 11 points, including the game-winning basket with two seconds left in overtime, against Warsaw. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 61, Washington 54.
Wheeler (3-13) at New Prairie (3-14): The Cougars claimed a 53-30 win against Wheeler last season. Brady Rife recorded 11 points in the Bearcats’ 44-43 loss to Whiting. Jaydon Clemons came up with two points in New Prairie’s 45-26 loss to Elkhart. Matt’s pick: New Prairie 37, Wheeler 32.