SATURDAY
CLASS 4A GARY WEST
Munster (18-5) vs. Gary West (19-4): The No. 9 Cougars clawed their way to a 68-52 win over Munster on February 12. Luke Balac scored 21 points in the Mustangs’ 72-38 win over Hammond Morton. Jalen Washington netted 11 points in Gary West’s 58-29 win over Lake Central. Matt’s pick: Gary West 72, Munster 65.
CLASS 4A CHESTERTON
Portage (9-14) vs. Valparaiso (19-5): The Vikings cruised to a 59-35 win over Portage on January 8. Blake Creech’s eight points lifted the Indians to a 41-36 win over Lowell. Breece Walls added 16 points in Valparaiso’s 47-31 win over Crown Point. Matt’s pick: Valparaiso 60, Portage 51.
CLASS 4A MICHIGAN CITY
Riley (17-6) vs. Adams (23-1): The No. 4 Eagles flew past Riley, 63-40, on February 19. Davyion Anderson tallied 12 points in the Wildcats’ 91-75 win over Michigan City. Chuck Worsham recorded 11 points for Adams in a 68-60 win over Mishawaka. Matt’s pick: Adams 81, Riley 74.
CLASS 4A ELKHART
Penn (12-11) vs. Elkhart (13-11): The Lions downed Penn, 56-47, on February 19. Joe Smith registered 12 points in the Kingsmen’s 45-40 win over two-time defending champion Northridge. Malachi Emmons accounted for 11 points in Elkhart’s 59-57 win over Warsaw. Matt’s pick: Elkhart 58, Penn 56.
CLASS 3A CALUMET
Calumet (11-8) vs. Hammond (16-1): The top-ranked Wildcats earned a sectional crown last year with a 70-47 win over Calumet. Eric Martin finished with 18 points in the Warriors’ 51-39 win over Michigan City. Harold Woods came up with 16 points in Hammond’s 60-44 win over Valparaiso. Matt’s pick: Hammond 69, Calumet 52.
CLASS 3A WASHINGTON
Glenn (20-4) vs. Saint Joseph (18-4): The No. 5 Indians claimed a 66-51 win over Glenn on January 15. Carter Yung contributed 16 points in the Falcons’ 56-29 win over Washington. Jack Futa chipped in 13 points for Saint Joseph in its 53-45 win over No. 3 Marian. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 63, Glenn 57.
CLASS 3A NEW PRAIRIE
Hanover Central (17-6) vs. New Prairie (18-6): The Wildcats captured a sectional title last season with a 61-47 win over New Prairie. Kameron Ludwig scored 12 points in Hanover Central’s 58-36 win over Kankakee Valley. Rylan McBride ended with 12 points in the Cougars’ 89-35 win over River Forest. Matt’s pick: New Prairie 61, Hanover Central 56.
CLASS 3A WEST NOBLE
West Noble (13-9) vs. NorthWood (14-8): The Chargers marched to a 54-50 win over NorthWood on February 9. Brockton Miller racked up 10 points in West Noble’s 61-53 win over Lakeland. Brock Bontrager mustered 13 points in the Panthers’ 47-46 win over Wawasee. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 55, West Noble 54.
CLASS 2A WHITING
Marquette Catholic (16-9) vs. Bowman Academy (10-12): The Blazers posted an 82-62 win over Bowman Academy on January 12. Brit Harris’ 34 points paved the way in Marquette Catholic’s 85-50 win over Whiting. Koron Davis tallied 29 points in the Eagles’ 52-47 win over Illiana Christian. Matt’s pick: Marquette Catholic 64, Bowman Academy 61.
CLASS 2A NORTH JUDSON
Boone Grove (17-6) vs. North Judson (8-13): The Bluejays suffered a 55-50 loss to Boone Grove on February 6. Connor Melchi’s nine second-half points lifted the Wolves to a 47-42 win over South Central. Kelson Jordan recorded 11 points in North Judson’s 63-50 win over LaVille. Matt’s pick: Boone Grove 45, North Judson 44.
CLASS 2A WESTVIEW
Eastside (17-7) vs. Churubusco (20-4): The Eagles squeezed by Eastside, 58-57, on February 20. Gabe Trevino registered 13 points in the Blazers’ 50-34 win over Bremen. Jackson Paul poured in 26 points in Churubusco’s 45-40 upset of No. 3 Central Noble. Matt’s pick: Churubusco 62, Eastside 60.
CLASS 1A KOUTS
Washington Township (16-6) vs. Kouts (25-2); The No. 3 Mustangs rolled to a 92-53 win over Washington Township on January 15. Tyler Hachey had 23 points, including the game-winning basket, in the Senators’ 57-55 win over Gary 21st Century. Cole Wireman accounted for 34 points in Kouts’ 85-56 win over Morgan Township. Matt’s pick: Kouts 84, Washington Township 66.
CLASS 1A CULVER
Argos (18-5) vs. Triton (18-5): The Dragons earned a 51-39 win over Triton on February 20. J.J. Morris scored 15 points in Argos’ 30-21 win over Culver. Tyson Yates accounted for 14 points in the Trojans’ 59-41 win over Oregon-Davis. Matt’s pick: Triton 37, Argos 35.
CLASS 1A BETHANY CHRISTIAN
Elkhart Christian (9-13) vs. Fremont (11-11): Noah Hunt racked up 27 points in the Eagles’ 70-61 overtime win over Bethany Christian. Ethan Bontrager chipped in 19 points in the Eagles’ 60-44 win over Lakewood Park Christian. Matt’s pick: Fremont 42, Elkhart Christian 39.
