The post-season opened an average note as I went 25-9 (74 percent) during sectional week. Heading into the regional round, my overall record is now 275-90, which has me at 75 percent for the season.
SATURDAY
CLASS 4A
East Chicago Central (22-4) vs. Mishawaka (19-7): The Cavemen slipped past East Chicago Central, 57-55, during the 2012-13 campaign. Dominique Murphy netted 19 points in the Cardinals’ 56-52 win over Munster. Jackson Snyder came up with eight points in Mishawaka’s 45-43 overtime win against Riley. Matt’s pick: East Chicago Central 64, Mishawaka 58.
Warsaw (19-5) vs. Crown Point (19-5): The Bulldogs edged Warsaw, 63-60, during the 2021-22 season. Brandt Martin added 14 points in the Tigers’ 46-34 win over Penn. Dikembe Shaw contributed nine points in Crown Point’s 68-36 win over Chesterton. Matt’s pick: Crown Point 47, Warsaw 44.
Kokomo (25-3) vs. Fishers (25-1): The top-ranked Tigers roared past No. 3 Kokomo, 77-55, on December 9. Flory Bidunga racked up 23 points in the Wildkats’ 79-54 win over Marion. Keenan Garner registered 15 points in Fishers’ 49-47 win over No. 2 Noblesville. Matt’s pick: Kokomo 66, Fishers 65.
Fort Wayne North (19-8) vs. Fort Wayne Wayne (21-3): The Generals marched past Fort Wayne North, 66-42, on January 5. Jaxson Fugate finished with 14 points in the Legends’ 66-57 win over Fort Wayne Snider. Chase Barnes’ 20 points lifted Fort Wayne Wayne to a 76-66 win against Homestead. Matt’s pick: Fort Wayne Wayne 63, Fort Wayne North 55.
Avon (15-10) vs. Lawrence North (24-3): Rohan Pearson recorded 16 points in the Orioles’ 49-41 win over No. 9 Terre Haute North. Miles Good managed 14 points in the No. 5 Wildcats’ 75-61 win over No. 7 Indianapolis Cathedral. Matt’s pick: Lawrence North 72, Avon 56.
New Palestine (22-5) vs. Indianapolis Ben Davis (20-5): The No. 8 and defending state champion Giants downed New Palestine, 53-47, in the 2019 regional finale. Julius Gizzi recorded 31 points 67in the Dragons’ 60-48 win over No. 6 and previously unbeaten Greenfield-Central. Mark White chipped in 12 points for Ben Davis in a 50-32 win over Indianapolis Roncalli. Matt’s pick: Ben Davis 59, New Palestine 51.
Jeffersonville (18-7) vs. Evansville Harrison (20-4): The Red Devils edged Evansville Harrison, 49-46, on December 16. Micheal Cooper mustered 25 points in Jeffersonville’s 75-58 win over New Albany. Shane Sims netted 23 points in the Warriors’ 49-33 win over Jasper. Matt’s pick: Jeffersonville 55, Evansville Harrison 50.
Franklin (18-4) vs. Center Grove (20-4): The Grizzly Cubs went to overtime to claim a 65-64 win over No. 9 Center Grove on November 28. Grant Hunter ended with 12 points in Franklin’s 41-34 win over East Central. Jalen Bundy’s 15 points lifted the Dragons to a 71-30 win against Martinsville. Matt’s pick: Center Grove 67, Franklin 62.
CLASS 3A
Hammond Bishop Noll (20-7) vs. Fairfield (19-6): Jaedin Reyna recorded 18 points in the Warriors’ 44-42 win over Hanover Central. Carson Smith racked up 16 points in the Falcons’ 50-39 upset of defending state champion NorthWood. Matt’s pick: Bishop Noll 48, Fairfield 45.
Glenn (13-13) vs. Saint Joseph (17-9): The Huskies clawed past Glenn, 73-40, on February 6. Joe Chrapliwy totaled nine points in the Falcons’ 35-30 victory against Tippecanoe Valley. Braylen White ended with nine points in Saint Joseph’s 81-47 triumph over Clay. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 61, Glenn 52.
Peru (15-10) vs. West Lafayette (16-9): The Red Devils downed Peru, 70-49, in the 2018 sectional semifinals. Gavin Eldridge amassed 16 points in the Bengal Tigers’ 48-44 win over Mississinewa. Drew Whitlock had 19 points, including the game-winning basket with 1.7 seconds left, in West Lafayette’s 45-43 win over Twin Lakes. Matt’s pick: West Lafayette 60, Peru 54.
Delta (21-6) vs. Fort Wayne Concordia (14-12): The No. 7 Eagles soared to a 52-33 win over Fort Wayne Concordia on December 27. Jonny Manor scored 15 points in Delta’s 55-44 win over Yorktown. Avery Cook chipped in 12 points in the Cadets’ 62-58 win over Leo. Matt’s pick: Delta 51, Fort Wayne Concordia 43.
Guerin Catholic (20-7) vs. Indianapolis Washington (14-12): The No. 6 and defending state runner-up Golden Eagles soared to a 60-39 win over Indianapolis Washington on February 8. Malcolm Houze had 11 points, including the game-winning basket in double overtime, to help Guerin Catholic to a 75-74 win over No. 1 Brebeuf Jesuit. Clem Butler racked up 23 points and 23 rebounds in the Continentals’ 67-48 win over Christel House Manual. Matt’s pick: Guerin Catholic 62, Indianapolis Washington 47.
Northview (14-11) vs. Danville (21-3): The No. 3 Warriors stormed past Northview, 79-58, on February 7. Brayden Goff amassed 19 points in the Knights’ 60-53 win over Edgewood. Evan Lawrence managed 19 points and 11 rebounds in Danville’s 57-49 win over No. 10 Tri-West. Matt’s pick: Danville 75, Northview 63.
Batesville (20-5) vs. Scottsburg (21-5): Sam Johnson scored 15 points in the Bulldogs’ 44-36 win over Lawrenceburg. Kody Clancy registered 27 points in the No. 4 Warriors’ 64-59 win against Silver Creek, Matt’s pick: Scottsburg 65, Batesville 61.
Southridge (19-6) vs. Evansville Bosse (14-10): Brock Thacker added 18 points in the Raiders’ 53-43 win at Princeton. Taray Howell finished with 33 points in the Bulldogs’ 72-63 upset of No. 5 Evansville Memorial. Matt’s pick: Southridge 50, Evansville Bosse 49.
CLASS 2A
Wabash (20-5) vs. Westview (20-5): Grant Ford mustered 13 points in the Apaches’ 65-39 win over Lewis Cass. Luke Helmuth racked up 10 points in the Warriors’ 51-39 decision over Churubusco. Matt’s pick: Westview 52, Wabash 49.
North Judson (15-9) vs. Gary 21st Century (20-6): Quinn Bales mustered 19 points in the Bluejays’ 48-33 win over LaVille. Jacolby Donaldson’s 20 points propelled the Cougars to a 53-44 win over Andrean. Matt’s pick: Gary 21st Century 56, North Judson 51.
Wapahani (23-2) vs. Tipton (24-2): The No. 3 Blue Devils captured a regional crown in 2013 with a 60-58 win over No. 2 Wapahani. Nick Cook scored five points in the Raiders’ 59-26 win over Monroe Central. Grady Carpenter was responsible for 15 points in Tipton’s 50-38 win over Taylor. Matt’s pick: Tipton 64, Wapahani 62.
Fort Wayne Blackhawk (20-6) vs. Lafayette Central Catholic (17-8): The No. 6 and defending state champion Braves posted a 75-50 win over Lafayette Central Catholic a year ago. Isaac Smith poured in 20 points in Blackhawk’s 58-50 win over No. 5 Fort Wayne Bishop Luers. Ray Clayton tallied 18 points in the Knights’ 54-47 win over Carroll (Flora). Matt’s pick: Fort Wayne Blackhawk 69, Lafayette Central Catholic 58.
Irvington Prep (16-9) vs. Park Tudor (19-5): The No. 8 Panthers cruised to an 80-30 win over Irvington Prep on January 20. Major Davis recorded 16 points in the Ravens’ 43-35 win over Eastern Hancock. Kamon Washington’s 15 points lifted Park Tudor to a 63-56 win over University. Matt’s pick: Park Tudor 74. Irvington Prep 54.
Parke Heritage (22-5) vs. Northeastern (18-7): The Wolves earned a regional crown last season with a 58-48 win over Northeastern. Renn Harper ended with 17 points in Parke Heritage’s 49-34 win over North Putnam. Michael Henry accounted for 25 points in the Knights’ 43-41 win over Union County. Matt’s pick: Parke Heritage 57, Northeastern 50.
Switzerland County (15-10) vs. Forest Park (17-9): Jacob Williams managed 24 points in the Pacers’ 58-57 triumph over Hauser. Reid Howard rolled up 15 points in the Rangers’ 52-46 win over North Posey. Matt’s pick: Forest Park 45, Switzerland County 41.
Sullivan (21-5) vs. Brownstown Central (24-4): Marcus Roshel registered 20 points in the Golden Arrows’ 60-50 win over South Knox. Jack Benter poured in 32 points in the top-ranked Braves’ 53-37 win over No. 4 Providence. Matt’s pick: Brownstown Central 59, Sullivan 46.
CLASS 1A
Marquette Catholic (11-15) vs. Demotte Christian (19-7): The Knights crowned Marquette Catholic, 73-64, on February 6. Josiah Mays came up with 20 points in the Blazers’ 57-44 win over Westville. Luke Terpstra ended with 25 points in Demotte’s 71-68 win over Kouts. Matt’s pick: Marquette Catholic 42, Demotte Christian 40.
Tri-County (14-11) vs. Elkhart Christian (16-9): Kobe Bahler ended with 15 points in the Cavaliers’ 47-40 win over Caston. Caden Whidden tossed in four points in the Eagles’ 47-45 win over Lakewood Park Christian. Matt’s pick: Elkhart Christian 41, Tri-County 38,
Seton Catholic (19-7) vs. Liberty Christian (16-9): The Cardinals flew past Liberty Christian, 67-57, on January 12. Jason Moynihan accounted for 14 points in Seton Catholic’s 38-34 victory over Blue River Valley. T.J. English paced the Lions with 22 points in a 63-52 win over Cowan. Matt’s pick: Liberty Christian 63, Seton Catholic 60.
Fort Wayne Canterbury (15-9) vs. North Vermillion (15-10): Devon Lewis paved the way with 18 points in the Cavaliers’ 52-34 decision over Northfield. Matthew Ford emerged with 14 points in the Falcons’ 52-35 win over Rossville. Matt’s pick: Fort Wayne Canterbury 46, North Vermillion 43.
Oldenburg Academy (13-11) vs. Greenwood Christian (17-7): The Cougars slipped past Oldenburg Academy, 66-60, on November 25. The Twisters earned their first sectional crown since 2020 with a 47-36 win over Jac-Cen-Del. Max Booher canned 17 points in Greenwood Christian’s 49-46 win over defending state champion Indianapolis Lutheran. Matt’s pick: Greenwood Christian 69, Oldenburg Academy 58.
Bethesda Christian (20-7) vs. Clay City (21-5): Sam Mlagan paced the No. 8 Patriots with 17 points in a 58-47 win over Indianapolis Metropolitan. Michael Tucker came up with 15 points in the No. 5 Eels’ 50-30 win over Bloomfield. Matt’s pick: Clay City 38, Bethesda Christian 36.
Christian Academy (22-4) vs. Barr-Reeve (23-2): The top-ranked Vikings claimed a regional title in 2018 with a 48-47 decision over No. 4 Christian Academy. David Cook finished with 14 points in the Warriors’ 53-48 win over South Central (Elizabeth). Seth Wagler racked up 20 points in Barr-Reeve’s 75-67 five-overtime win over No. 3 Orleans. Matt’s pick: Barr-Reeve 44, Christian Academy 42.
Trinity Lutheran (14-11) vs. Evansville Christian (23-2): Hudson Lang had 18 points in the Cougars’ 49-33 win over New Washington. Josiah Dunham registered 27 points in the No. 2 Eagles’ 62-45 win over Wood Memorial. Matt’s pick: Evansville Christian 72, Trinity Lutheran 56.