My goal of finishing 80 percent or better remains within reach after going 17-5 (77 percent) last week. Heading into the final week of the regular season, my overall record is 239-56, which leaves me at 81 percent for the season.
TUESDAY
Bremen (1-19) at Triton (11-9): The Trojans escaped with a 43-42 win over Bremen on January 17. Tyrus Graverson managed four points in the Lions’ 71-41 loss to Glenn. Cole Shively accounted for 27 points in Triton’s 63-46 loss to Tippecanoe Valley. Matt’s pick: Triton 45, Bremen 32.
Clay (10-10) at Elkhart Christian (7-13): The Colonials posted a 68-59 win against Elkhart Christian a year ago. Kayden Newhouse’s three points were not enough in Clay’s 75-64 loss at New Prairie. Aiden Hibbard ended with nine points in the Eagles’ 52-16 loss to No. 1 (Class 3A) NorthWood. Matt’s pick: Clay 63, Elkhart Christian 50.
Glenn (13-8) at Concord (10-9): The Falcons earned a 48-42 win over Concord last season. Chase Miller recorded seven points for Glenn against Bremen. Parker McCuen racked up 16 points for the Minutemen in their 63-55 win over Clay. Matt’s pick: Glenn 51, Concord 46.
Marian (20-2, 9-1 NIC) at Elkhart (6-14, 5-5 NIC): The Lions suffered a 53-43 loss to No. 2 (Class 3A) Marian a season ago. Deaglan Sullivan came up with 23 points in the Knights’ 73-33 win over Jimtown. Jacob Windy contributed six points in Elkhart’s 87-24 loss to Penn. Matt’s pick: Marian 73, Elkhart 51.
Mishawaka (16-5) at Penn (21-1): The Cavemen dropped a 78-47 decision to No. 2 (Class 4A) Penn last year. Jackson Snyder tallied four points in Mishawaka’s 74-62 win over Career Academy. Joey Garwood poured in 15 points for the Kingsmen against Elkhart. Matt’s pick: Penn 80, Mishawaka 62.
Northridge (11-10) at Fairfield (8-12): The Raiders held on for a 50-48 win over Fairfield during the 2021-22 season. Nolan Bales racked up 18 points in Northridge’s 56-52 win over Lakeland. Seth Yoder poured in 23 points in the Falcons’ 76-34 win over Churubusco. Matt’s pick: Northridge 47, Fairfield 41.
Plymouth (8-12) at Saint Joseph (10-12): The Indians rolled to a 75-45 win over Plymouth in their last meeting. Davis Wray scored 11 points in the Pilgrims’ 86-65 loss to Penn. Brashaun Woods amassed 14 points in Saint Joseph’s 66-59 loss to Washington. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 57, Plymouth 52.
Riley (12-9) at Bowman Academy (9-11): The Eagles soared to 64-56 win over Riley in the 2020-21 campaign. Brandon Williams registered 15 points in the Wildcats’ 78-63 win over Adams. Leon Grimes’ 32 points lifted Bowman Academy to a 75-49 win over Griffith. Matt’s pick: Riley 69, Bowman Academy 66.
Tippecanoe Valley (17-4) at Warsaw (13-8): The Tigers clawed past Tippecanoe Valley, 56-40, last season. Riley Shepherd had 11 points for the Vikings against Triton. Andrew Potter mustered six points in Warsaw’s 38-37 win over Plymouth. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 48, Tippecanoe Valley 45.
Washington (15-4) at NorthWood (19-2): The No. 7 (Class 3A) Panthers roared to a 54-31 win over top-ranked (Class 3A) NorthWood a season ago. Jason Dockery contributed seven points for Washington against Saint Joseph. Tyler Raasch ended with 12 points for the Panthers against Elkhart Christian. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 64, Washington 60.
West Noble (18-3) at Goshen (10-10): The No. 6 (Class 3A) Chargers marched past Goshen, 53-34, a year ago. Bradyn Barth ended with 25 points in West Noble’s 77-71 overtime loss to Angola. Gage Worthman chipped in six points in the RedHawks’ 60-44 win at Westview. Matt’s pick: West Noble 59, Goshen 54.
WEDNESDAY
Merrillville (8-12) at Adams (7-13): The Pirates cruised to a 75-49 win over Adams in the 2017 Class 4A Michigan City regional semifinals. Jeremiah Roberts paved the way with 15 points in Merrillville’s 75-41 win over Hobart. Gerron Barr notched eight points for the Eagles against Riley. Matt’s pick: Merrillville 72, Adams 69.
THURSDAY
Fort Wayne North (13-8) at Washington (15-5): The Legends were a 68-58 winner over No. 7 (Class 3A) Washington during the 2020-21 campaign. Jaxson Fugate netted 21 points in Fort Wayne North’s 58-55 win against Fort Wayne Bishop Luers. The Panthers were limited to 14 points in the first half in their 62-34 loss to No. 1 (Class 3A) NorthWood. Matt’s pick: Washington 71, Fort Wayne North 68.
Plymouth (9-12) at New Prairie (9-12): The Pilgrims edged New Prairie, 46-43, last year. Preston Wolfe’s 10 points lifted Plymouth to a 58-56 win over Saint Joseph. Corbin Jonas mustered eight points for the Cougars against Clay. Matt’s pick: Plymouth 55, New Prairie 52.
FRIDAY
Carroll (Fort Wayne) (12-9) at Warsaw (13-9): The Tigers clawed past Carroll, 62-50, a season ago. Cannon Houser recorded 27 points in the Chargers’ 74-62 loss to North Central (Indianapolis). Luke Bricker ended with 10 points in Warsaw’s 57-56 loss to Tippecanoe Valley. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 58, Carroll (Fort Wayne) 51.
Culver (10-11) at Bremen (1-20): The Lions roared to a 49-36 win over Culver a year ago. Shane Shuman finished with 13 points in the Cavaliers’ 50-35 loss to Logansport. Julian Alvardo mustered seven points in Bremen’s 43-42 loss at Triton. Matt’s pick: Culver 40, Bremen 31.
DeKalb (6-14) at Northridge (12-10): The Raiders earned a 56-51 win over DeKalb last year. Caden Pettis tallied 21 points in the Barons’ 48-37 win over Heritage. Alex Ellenson added 15 points in Northridge’s 66-54 win over Fairfield. Matt’s pick: Northridge 60, DeKalb 53.
East Noble (3-18) at Wawasee (8-13): The Knights crowned Wawasee, 56-43, last season. Owen VanGessell accounted for 16 points in East Noble’s 66-59 loss to Angola. Maddux Everingham poured in 28 points in the Warriors’ 69-62 win over Westview. Matt’s pick: Wawasee 47, East Noble 38.
Goshen (10-11) at Glenn (13-9): The Falcons soared to a 52-36 win over Goshen a year ago. Deecon Hill contributed 12 points in the RedHawks’ 52-44 loss to No. 6 (Class 3A) West Noble. Brycen Hannah’s 21 points were not enough in Glenn’s 60-48 loss to Concord. Matt’s pick: Glenn 62, Goshen 56.
LaPorte (16-6) at Clay (11-10): The Slicers downed Clay, 67-54, in their last matchup. Kyle Kirkman poured in 25 points in LaPorte’s 56-54 win over Portage. Tyrese Jones’ 12 points gave the Colonials a 60-50 win over Elkhart Christian. Matt’s pick: LaPorte 73, Clay 68.
Mishawaka (16-6) at Saint Joseph (10-13): The Cavemen edged Saint Joseph, 63-57, during the 2021-22 season. Arthur Jones finished with 18 points in Mishawaka’s 85-44 loss to Penn. Jayce Lee came up with nine points for the Indians against Plymouth. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 64, Saint Joseph 62.
Marian (21-2) at Tippecanoe Valley (18-4): The Vikings dropped a 64-39 decision to No. 2 (Class 3A) Marian last season. Zion Rhodes finished with 14 points in the Knights’ 66-41 win over Elkhart. Tayde Kiser’s 25 points vaulted Tippecanoe Valley past Warsaw. Matt’s pick: Marian 65, Tippecanoe Valley 56.
NorthWood (20-2) at Elkhart (6-15): The Lions suffered a 54-36 loss to top-ranked (Class 3A) NorthWood a season ago. Cade Brenner tallied 19 points for the Panthers against Washington. Rodney Gates netted 16 points for Elkhart against Marian. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 61, Elkhart 44.
Penn (22-1) at Merrillville (8-13): The No. 2 (Class 4A) Kingsmen rolled to a 70-49 win over Merrillville last year. Joe Smith tallied 19 points for Penn against Mishawaka. Robert Kennedy’s 21 points were not enough in the Pirates’ 63-57 loss at Adams. Matt’s pick: Penn 82, Merrillville 60.
Westview (13-8) at Concord (11-9): The Minutemen went to overtime to claim a 48-43 win over Westview a year ago. Braeden Messenger’s 26 points helped Concord get past Glenn. Luke Helmuth ended with 11 points in the Warriors’ 72-66 loss to Fremont. Matt’s pick: Concord 49, Westview 47.
SATURDAY
IIHSAA GIRLS’ STATE FINALS
Bethany Christian (24-3) vs. Lanesville (27-2) (Class 1A): Mariah Stoltzfus registered 22 points in the No. 7 Bruins’ 58-54 triumph over No. 2 Tri. Morgan Sonner racked up 14 points in the top-ranked Eagles’ 45-21 victory over Jac-Cen-Del. Matt’s pick: Lanesville 44, Bethany Christian 35.
Lapel (22-7) vs. Forest Park (25-3) (Class 2A): AnnaLee Stow contributed eight points and five rebounds in the Bulldogs’ 51-38 upset of No. 4 Central Noble. Amber Tretter’s 24 points lifted the No. 2 and defending state champion Rangers to a 41-36 win over No. 1 North Knox. Matt’s pick: Forest Park 58, Lapel 51.
Fairfield (27-2) vs. Corydon Central (27-2) (Class 3A): Brea Garber recorded 12 points in the No. 7 Falcons’ 42-34 win over No. 1 Twin Lakes. Ava Weber tallied 22 points in the No. 6 Panthers’ 48-42 win over No. 5 Indian Creek. Matt’s pick: Fairfield 60, Corydon Central 57.
Fishers (26-2) vs. Bedford North Lawrence (26-3) (Class 4A): Haley Smith had 13 points in the No. 3 Tigers’ 41-24 win over Lake Central. Chloe Spreen scored 26 points in the No. 7 Stars’ 47-40 win over Lawrence North. Matt’s pick: Bedford North Lawrence 63, Fishers 59.