Concord’s win at Goshen was my lone mistake as I went 17-1 (94 percent) last week. Going into the second week of 2023, my overall record is now 130-36, which has me at 78 percent for the year.
TUESDAY
Adams (4-3) at Bowman Academy (4-8): The Eagles soared to a 69-54 win over Bowman Academy in the 2020-21 campaign. Dayon Woods came up with two points in Adams’ 59-54 win against Logansport. Leon Grimes contributed 26 points in the Eagles’ 61-52 win over St. Francis de Sales (Ill.). Matt’s pick: Adams 65, Bowman Academy 60.
Concord (5-5) at New Prairie (3-5): The Minutemen claimed a 57-33 victory against New Prairie last year. Andrew Kavanagh chipped in six points in Concord’s 57-41 win at Goshen. Gavin Gonzalez netted 12 points in the Cougars’ 59-38 loss to Glenn. Matt’s pick: Concord 48, New Prairie 41.
Michigan City (8-3) at Riley (7-6): The Wolves roared to a 69-45 win over Riley a year ago. Anthony Murphy recorded 15 points in Michigan City’s 58-57 win over Kankakee Valley. Kishawn Wright tallied three points in the Wildcats’ 53-45 win over Elkhart. Matt’s pick: Riley 72, Michigan City 69.
Oregon-Davis (2-7) at Clay (5-4): The Colonials claimed a 72-59 win against Oregon-Davis a season ago. Conner Danford paced the Bobcats with eight points in a 60-19 loss to Rochester. Shaq Edwards racked up 15 points in Clay’s 57-45 win over Jimtown. Matt’s pick: Clay 61, Oregon-Davis 44.
Penn (8-1) at Warsaw (6-4): The No. 2 Kingsmen opened the 2022 Class 4A Elkhart Sectional with a 67-56 win over Warsaw. Dominic Bonner’s five points helped Penn to an 87-42 win over Valparaiso. Trey Davis managed six points in the Tigers’ 47-41 win over Northridge. Matt’s pick: Penn 69, Warsaw 52.
THURSDAY
Marian (11-1, 1-0 NIC) at Clay (6-4, 2-3 NIC): The Colonials had their 2021-22 season end with a 74-40 loss to top-ranked Marian in the Class 3A Marian sectional semifinals. Zion Rhoades added six points in the Knights’ 68-40 win over Andrean. Kayden Newhouse managed 14 points in Clay’s 73-25 win over Oregon-Davis. Matt’s pick: Marian 74, Clay 55.
Washington (10-2, 4-1 NIC) at Adams (4-4, 1-2 NIC): The No. 5 (Class 3A) Panthers needed overtime to escape with a 73-70 win over Adams last season. Terrence Reid accounted for six points in Washington’s 71-33 win over Bremen. Jeremiah Love scored 11 points in the Eagles’ 63-52 loss to Bowman Academy. Matt’s pick: Washington 80, Adams 63.
FRIDAY
Bremen (0-9, 0-3 NIC) at Elkhart (1-9, 1-3 NIC): The Lions posted a 63-50 win over Bremen a season ago. Baylor Orcutt totaled 11 points in Bremen’s 49-43 loss to Bethany Christian. Anthony Williams chipped in five points for Elkhart against Riley. Matt’s pick: Elkhart 46, Bremen 36.
NorthWood (10-2, 2-0 NLC) at Northridge (7-5, 1-1 NLC): The No. 2 (Class 3A) Panthers escaped with a 49-48 win over Northridge a year ago. Cade Brenner finished with 21 points in NorthWood’s 57-23 win over Wawasee. Mason Bales scored 10 points for the Raiders against Warsaw. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 59, Northridge 48.
Penn (9-1. 3-0 NIC) at Jimtown (2-9, 0-4 NIC): The No. 2 (Class 4A) Kingsmen clubbed Jimtown, 62-36, last year. Josh Gatete registered six points in Penn’s 50-40 win over Warsaw. Jackson Clopton paced the Jimmies with 13 points against Clay. Matt’s pick: Penn 75, Jimtown 51.
Plymouth (5-6, 0-2 NLC) at Concord (6-5, 1-1 NLC): The Minutemen earned a 44-41 win over Plymouth last season. Coby Walters pitched in eight points in the Pilgrims’ 58-49 loss to Tippecanoe Valley. Braeden Messenger poured in a career-high 26 points in Concord’s 52-38 win over New Prairie. Matt’s pick: Concord 53, Plymouth 50.
Riley (7-7, 3-2 NIC) at New Prairie (3-6, 2-3 NIC): The Wildcats slipped past New Prairie, 48-45, in their last meeting. Manny Hill’s 14 points were not enough in Riley’s 65-63 loss to Michigan City. Trenton Klute recorded seven points for the Cougars against Concord. Matt’s pick: Riley 67. New Prairie 53.
Saint Joseph (6-6, 3-0 NIC) at Glenn (7-4, 3-2 NIC): The Falcons soared to a 59-47 win over Saint Joseph in the 2022 Class 3A Marian sectional semifinal. Gabe Nanni was held to one point in the Indians’ 78-64 loss to No. 2 (Class 2A) Fort Wayne Blackhawk. Joey Shouse racked up 12 points in Glenn’s 52-27 win over Triton. Matt’s pick: Glenn 61, Saint Joseph 54.
Warsaw (6-5, 2-0 NLC) at Goshen (5-5, 0-2 NLC): The RedHawks suffered a 48-47 loss to Warsaw during the 2021-22 season. Carson Gould notched five points for the Tigers against Penn. Will Hershberger came up with three points for Goshen against Concord. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 50, Goshen 43.
Wawasee (4-8, 0-2 NLC) at Mishawaka (10-2, 2-0 NLC): The Cavemen edged Wawasee, 55-53, a year ago. Maddux Everingham ended with nine points in the Warriors’ 49-31 loss to No. 6 (Class 4A) Homestead. Brady Fisher tallied 14 points in Mishawaka’s 63-55 win over Plymouth. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 63, Wawasee 49.
SATURDAY
Adams (4-5, 1-3 NIC) at Marian (12-1, 2-0 NIC): The top-ranked (Class 3A) Knights crowned Adams, 65-51, last year. Amari Wesson managed 13 points in the Eagles’ 78-40 loss to Washington. Dareon Thornton paced Marian with 20 points in its 70-36 win at Clay. Matt’s pick: Marian 65, Adams 46.
Elkhart (2-9) at Plymouth (5-7): The Pilgrims recorded a 43-42 win over Elkhart last season. Mariyon Dye scored 14 points in the Lions’ 59-39 win over Bremen. Michael Sheely tallied 13 points in Plymouth’s 44-41 loss to Concord. Matt’s pick: Plymouth 50, Elkhart 47.
Peru (10-3) at Warsaw (6-6): The Tigers downed Peru, 51-40, a season ago. Matthew Roettger amassed 21 points in the Bengal Tigers’ 54-47 overtime loss to Lewis Cass. Jaxson Gould’s 22 points were not enough in Warsaw’s 51-48 loss at Goshen. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 57, Peru 55.
Valparaiso (7-7) at Washington (11-2): The Vikings cruised to a 64-47 win over No. 5 (Class 3A) Washington in their last matchup. TyShaun Grundy amassed 10 points for the Panthers against Adams. Jack Smiley accounted for five points for Valparaiso against Penn. Matt’s pick: Washington 73, Valparaiso 61.