The regular season closed on a positive note as I went 22-7 (76 percent) last week. Heading into the sectional round, my overall record is 261-63, which leaves me at 81 percent for the season.
TUESDAY
CLASS 4A MUNSTER
Hammond Central (22-1) vs. Gary West (5-17): The No. 3 Wolves came up with a 50-37 win over Gary West on December 9. Next up for the winner is a meeting with Hammond Morton (8-15) in Friday’s semifinal round. Vynce Overshawn tallied 15 points in Hammond Central’s 64-59 win at Valparaiso. Derek Collins Jr. finished with 14 points in the Cougars’ 61-55 loss to Andrean. Matt’s pick: Hammond Central 80, Gary West 59.
CLASS 4A CROWN POINT
Crown Point (14-8) vs. Portage (14-8): The Bulldogs recorded a 60-49 win over Portage on February 2. The survivor advances to take on Chesterton (18-5) in Friday’s semifinals. AJ Lux netted 23 points in Crown Point’s 76-30 win over Lowell. Michael Wellman poured in 27 points in the Indians’ 69-43 win over Hammond Morton. Matt’s pick: Crown Point 54, Portage 51.
CLASS 4A LAPORTE
Adams (8-13) vs. Michigan City (16-6): The Eagles soared to a 70-60 win over Michigan City on December 17. The winner moves on to play LaPorte (17-6) in Friday’s first semifinal. Jeremiah Love’s seven points lifted Adams to a 63-57 win over Merrillville Jamie Hodges amassed 18 points in the Wolves’ 72-67 win at Merrillville. Matt’s pick: Michigan City 69, Adams 63.
Plymouth (10-12) vs. Mishawaka (17-6): The Cavemen claimed a 63-55 win against Plymouth on January 6. The survivor advances to meet Riley (13-9) in the second semifinal contest. Davis Wray recorded 16 points in the Pilgrims’ 52-41 win over New Prairie. Brady Fisher returned from an injury to score six points in Mishawaka’s 63-60 overtime win at Saint Joseph. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 57, Plymouth 50.
CLASS 4A ELKHART
Elkhart (6-16) vs. Penn (23-1); The No. 2 Kingsmen cruised to an 85-24 win over Elkhart on February 17. Next up for the winner is a date with Goshen (11-11) in Friday’s opening semifinal game. Will Cochrane ended with three points in the Lions’ 61-30 loss to No. 1 (Class 3A) NorthWood. Joe Smith poured in 22 points in Penn’s 94-49 win at Merrillville. Matt’s pick: Penn 81, Elkhart 53.
Northridge (13-10) vs. Warsaw (14-9): The Tigers clawed past Northridge, 47-41, on January 6. A date with Concord (11-10) in the second semifinal goes to the survivor. Alex Ellenson recorded 12 points in the Raiders’ 45-35 win over DeKalb. Jaxson Gould came up with 15 points in Warsaw’s 60-49 win over Carroll (Fort Wayne). Matt’s pick: Warsaw 44, Northridge 39,
CLASS 3A KNOX
Glenn (13-10) vs. Tippecanoe Valley (18-5): The Vikings posted a 55-43 victory over Glenn on December 10. The winner plays Bremen in Friday’s semifinal round. Ty’ronn Larkin had seven points in the Falcons’ 66-41 loss to Goshen. Nolan Cumberland’s 16 points were not enough in Tippecanoe Valley’s 58-53 loss to No. 2 Marion. Matt’s pick: Tippecanoe Valley 43, Glenn 41.
CLASS 3A JIMTOWN
Marian (22-2) vs. Clay (11-11): The Colonials suffered a 70-35 loss to No. 2 Marian on January 12. A meeting with No. 8 Washington (16-5) goes to the winner in Friday’s semifinals. Zion Rhoades netted 16 points for the Knights against Tippecanoe Valley. Ameer Harris finished with 18 points in Clay’s 85-45 loss to LaPorte. Matt’s pick: Marian 79, Clay 58.
Jimtown (5-17) vs. Saint Joseph (10-14): The Jimmies dropped an 82-44 decision to Saint Joseph on December 8. New Prairie (9-13) is next up for the survivor in Friday’s semifinal round. Justin Price registered eight points in Jimtown’s 73-33 loss to Marian. Trey Place managed three points for the Indians against Mishawaka. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 70, Jimtown 52.
CLASS 3A NORTHWOOD
NorthWood (21-2) vs. Wawasee (9-13): The top-ranked Panthers rolled to a 57-23 win against Wawasee on January 6. The winner takes on Fairfield (8-14) in Friday’s semifinals. Ethan Wolfe erupted for 19 points for NorthWood against Elkhart. Myles Everingham chipped in 14 points in the Warriors’ 62-46 win over East Noble. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 63, Wawasee 46.
WEDNESDAY
CLASS 4A MUNSTER
Merrillville (8-14) vs. Munster (22-2): The No. 8 Mustangs racked up a 59-47 win over Merrillville on January 14. Keyshawn Mitchell accounted for 16 points for the Pirates against Penn. Brandon Trilli racked up 17 points in Munster’s 68-52 win over Whiting. Matt’s pick: Munster 72, Merrillville 54.
Lake Central (15-8) vs. East Chicago Central (12-9): The Cardinals ended with a 56-45 loss to Lake Central on February 7. Brandon Escobedo tallied 14 points in the Indians’ 49-47 loss to Chesterton. Xavier Bradley recorded 18 points in East Chicago Central’s 84-57 win over Griffith. Matt’s pick: Lake Central 61, East Chicago Central 58.
CLASS 4A CROWN POINT
Hobart (11-11) vs. Kankakee Valley (9-14): The Kougars cruised to a 63-41 win against Hobart on February 2. Felix Lopez tallied 14 points in the Brickies’ 44-32 win over Wheeler. Bobby Lalonde had 12 points in Kankakee Valley’s 48-47 loss to North Judson. Matt’s pick: Hobart 53, Kankakee Valley 51.
Valparaiso (11-13) vs. Lowell (2-21): The Red Devils are looking to make amends for a 76-21 loss to Valparaiso on December 9. Jack Smiley registered 16 points for the Vikings against Hammond Central. Zach Wunsh had 12 points for Lowell against Crown Point. Matt’s pick: Valparaiso 75, Lowell 50.