It proved to be another average performance as I went 17-7 (71 percent) last week. My overall record is now 155-54, which leaves me at 74 percent for the season.
TUESDAY
Bethany Christian (8-7) at Wawasee (5-8): The Bruins edged Wawasee, 50-49, a season ago. Carter Miller had 11 points in Bethany Christian’s 47-33 win over Prairie Heights. Maddux Everingham poured in 19 points in the Warriors’ 49-44 loss to Plymouth. Matt’s pick: Wawasee 45, Bethany Christian
Plymouth (6-7) at Elkhart (0-13): The Lions roared past Plymouth, 65-43, in their last meeting. Trey Delp contributed three points for the Pilgrims against Wawasee. Mickey Gilbert added two points in Elkhart’s 53-41 loss to Tippecanoe Valley. Matt’s pick: Plymouth 60, Elkhart 52.
THURSDAY
Marquette Catholic (6-6) at Adams (5-7): The Blazers rolled to a 70-53 win over Adams a season ago. Colson Dobre tallied 10 points in Marquette Catholic’s 65-52 win over Whiting. Gerron Barr netted 13 points for Adams in a 53-48 win at Washington. Matt’s pick: Adams 63, Marquette Catholic 60.
FRIDAY
Clay (6-7, 1-6 NIC) at Bremen (6-5, 1-2 NIC): The Colonials cruised to a 70-46 win over Bremen last season. Jamari Jones managed four points in Clay’s 81-43 loss to Riley. Julian Alvarado came up with seven points in the Lions’ 48-46 loss to LaVille. Matt’s pick: Clay 58, Bremen 51.
Concord (12-2, 3-1 NLC) at Wawasee (5-9, 1-2 NLC): The Minutemen claimed a 48-39 win over Wawasee a season ago. Reese Breveard mustered two points in Concord’s 56-45 win over Warsaw. Nolan Holzwart added 11 points in the Warriors’ 60-55 double-overtime loss to Bethany Christian. Matt’s pick: Concord 61, Wawasee 52.
Glenn (8-6, 2-3 NIC) at Adams (6-7, 3-1 NIC): The Eagles dropped a 57-47 decision to Glenn a year ago. Joey Shouse’s 15 points helped the Falcons capture the Everwise Bi-County Tournament title with a 59-52 overtime win at LaVille. David Hayo came up with one point in Adams’ 56-50 win over Marquette Catholic. Matt’s pick: Glenn 57, Adams 54.
Goshen (4-8, 0-4 NLC) at Mishawaka (8-4, 2-1 NLC): The Cavemen suffered a 47-44 overtime loss to Goshen last year. Karter Marcum drained a three-pointer in the RedHawks’ 61-41 loss to Warsaw. Trey Thomas recorded nine points in Mishawaka’s 40-31 loss to Northridge. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 64, Goshen 49.
Jimtown (5-7, 3-3 NIC) at Elkhart (1-13, 0-5 NIC): The Lions roared past Jimtown, 54-32, in their previous meeting. Javen Jackson ended with 12 points in the Jimmies’ 53-42 win over Washington. Javeis Hines’ 22 points helped Elkhart get its first victory with a 66-58 decision over Plymouth. Matt’s pick: Jimtown 47, Elkhart 45.
Marian (7-8, 2-1 NIC) at Washington (7-6, 5-2 NIC): The Panthers edged Marian, 43-41, in the 2023 Class 3A Jimtown Sectional semifinals. Elias Norgaard finished with six points in the Knights’ 31-28 win over Penn. Lavier Smith registered two points in Washington’s 66-57 loss to Valparaiso. Matt’s pick: Washington 60, Marian 56.
New Prairie (2-12, 0-6 NIC) at Saint Joseph (8-7, 3-2 NIC): The Cougars had their 2022-23 season come to an end with a 50-27 loss to Saint Joseph in the Class 3A Jimtown Sectional semifinals. Trenton Klute finished with eight points in New Prairie’s 43-38 loss to Bremen. Chase Konieczny netted 25 points in Saint Joe’s 77-50 win over Elkhart. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 70, New Prairie 54.
Northridge (11-4, 2-2 NLC) at Plymouth (6-8, 1-3 NLC): The Pilgrims slipped past Northridge, 51-48, last year. Mason Bales’ six points lifted the Raiders past Mishawaka. Kadyn Ellery totaled 14 points for Plymouth against Elkhart. Matt’s pick: Northridge 50, Plymouth 44.
Riley (15-3, 7-0 NIC) at Penn (9-4, 5-1 NIC): The Kingsmen crowned Riley, 76-61, last season. Marvin Schindler added 13 points for the Wildcats against Penn. Alex Hawthorne had two points for Penn against Marian. Matt’s pick: Riley 73, Penn 67.
Warsaw (9-3, 2-2 NLC) at NorthWood (10-4, 4-0 NLC): The No. 7 and defending Class 3A state champion Panthers posted a 53-36 win at Warsaw a year ago. Brandt Martin accounted for 10 points for the Tigers against Goshen. Ethan Wolfe poured in 19 points in NorthWood’s 48-30 win over Goshen. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 53, Warsaw 52.
SATURDAY
Cassopolis (6-3) at Clay (7-7): Malachi Ward netted 17 points in the Rangers’ 44-36 win over Lawrence. Kemon Forbes racked up one point in the Colonials’ 76-42 loss to Marian. Matt’s pick: Clay 65, Cassopolis 63.
Elkhart (1-14) at Warsaw (10-3): The Tigers managed a 58-33 win over Elkhart last year. Antonio Hardin mustered for the Lions against Plymouth. Luke Bricker’s 19 points were not enough in Warsaw’s 56-45 loss to Concord. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 51, Elkhart 40.
Goshen (4-9) at Penn (10-4): The Kingsmen were a 55-37 winner over Goshen in last season Class 4A Elkhart sectional semifinals. Braxton Cline had five points for the RedHawks against NorthWood. Nolan McCullough tossed in eight points in Penn’s 66-54 win over Riley. Matt’s pick: Penn 73, Goshen 54.
Jimtown (6-7) at Tippecanoe Valley (9-6): Jackson Clopton ended with four points for the Jimmies against Washington. Ian Cooksey scored 19 points in the Vikings’ 49-40 loss to Anderson. Matt’s pick: Jimtown 56, Tippecanoe Valley 50.
Lakeland (10-4) at Wawasee (5-10): The Warriors squeezed by Lakeland, 53-50, a season ago. Nate Keil tallied 17 points in the Lakers’ 65-37 win against Elkhart Christian. Collin Ziebarth amassed 18 points for Wawasee against Bethany Christian. Matt’s pick: Lakeland 47, Wawasee 43.
South Central (5-8) at New Prairie (2-13): The Cougars clawed past South Central, 63-54, during the 2022-23 campaign. Jay Huerta tossed in 13 points in the Satellites’ 57-36 loss to No. 8 (Class 1A) Morgan Township. Marshall Kmiecik registered nine points in New Prairie’s 71-45 loss to Riley. Matt’s pick: New Prairie 39, South Central 35.
LaPorte (8-7) at Concord (13-2): The Slicers came away with a 58-34 win against Concord a year ago. Griffin Ott-Large chipped in 12 points in LaPorte’s 67-64 loss to Chesterton. Avery Johnson compiled three points for the Minutemen in a 45-30 win over Elkhart. Matt’s pick: Concord 71, LaPorte 62.
Washington (7-7) at Crown Point (10-4): The Bulldogs are looking to make amends for a 54-48 loss to Washington in their previous matchup. Jayden Lineberry recorded two points for the Panthers against Adams. Elliot Swan’s three-pointer lifted Crown Point to a 59-53 win over Chesterton. Matt’s pock: Crown Point 58, Washington 51.