The regular season closed on a sour note as I went 18-9 (67 percent) last week. Heading into the post-season, my overall record is now 250-81, which leaves me at 76 percent.
TUESDAY
CLASS 4A MISHAWAKA
LaPorte (10-13) vs. Mishawaka (16-7): The Cavemen clubbed LaPorte, 68-46, in the 2021 Class 4A sectional opener. Griffin Ott-Large finished with 19 points in the Slicers’ 68-64 loss to Clay. Brady Fisher amassed nine points in Mishawaka’s 57-55 win over Saint Joseph. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 64, LaPorte 56.
Michigan City (11-11) vs. Plymouth (8-14): The Pilgrims downed Michigan City, 53-45, during the 2021-22 campaign. Allen Briggs tallied 22 points in the Wolves’ 76-66 overtime win at LaPorte. Coby Walters had 17 points in Plymouth’s 98-57 loss to Saint Joseph. Matt’s pick: Michigan City 71, Plymouth 60.
CLASS 4A ELKHART
Concord (17-4) vs. Goshen (10-12): The Minutemen posted a 47-22 win over Goshen on January 5. Andrew Kavanaugh’s six points were not enough in Concord’s 40-39 loss to Westview. Levi Sawatzky came up with 23 points in the RedHawks’ 53-46 win over Glenn. Matt’s pick: Concord 45, Goshen 40.
Penn (16-6) vs. Northridge (18-5): The Kingsmen needed overtime to claim a 57-49 win over Northridge on January 17. Alex Hawthorne recorded eight points in Penn’s 64-57 loss to Merrillville. Kam Radeker chipped in nine points in the Raiders’ 43-39 loss at DeKalb. Matt’s pick: Penn 63, Northridge 62.
CLASS 3A TIPPECANOE VALLEY
Culver Academy (7-14) vs. Glenn (10-13): The Falcons soared to a Class 3A sectional crown last year with a 58-47 win over Culver Academy. Joey Shouse accounted for 16 points for Glenn against Goshen. The Eagles will be looking to halt a five-game losing streak. Matt’s pick: Glenn 51, Culver Academy 43.
CLASS 3A WASHINGTON
Washington (10-12) vs. Marian (16-8): The No. 10 Knights registered a 73-48 win over Washington on January 26. Josh Johnson ended with 15 points in the Panthers’ 54-48 loss to Tippecanoe Valley. Paxan Sullivan registered 10 points in Marian’s 50-36 win over Adams. Matt’s pick: Marian 65, Washington 62.
New Prairie (4-18) vs. Jimtown (12-10): The Jimmies recorded a 66-35 win over New Prairie on December 15. Brody Wiginton’s six points were not enough in the Cougars’ 70-38 loss to Clay. Will Spurgeon racked up nine points in Jimtown’s 57-39 win at Argos. Matt’s pick: Jimtown 47, New Prairie 35.
CLASS 3A LAKELAND
Wawasee (8-14) vs. Lakeland (16-6): The Lakers slipped by Wawasee, 69-67, on January 27. Collin Ziebarth poured in 18 points in the Warriors’ 61-50 win over East Noble. Keyan Arroyo came up with nine points, including the game-winning basket, in Lakeland’s 63-61 win over Angola. Matt’s pick: Lakeland 49, Wawasee 46.