February started on a positive note as I went 21-2 (91 percent) last week. My overall record is now 191-62, which improves me at 75 percent for the season.
TUESDAY
Clay (8-9) at Career Academy (3-13): The Colonials held on for a 95-90 win over Career Academy last year. The Trailblazers are out to halt a seven-game losing streak. Rodney Milligan added three points in Clay’s 65-55 loss to Saint Joseph. Matt’s pick: Clay 75, Career Academy 56.
Glenn (9-7, 3-4 NIC) at Saint Joseph (11-7, 5-2 NIC): The Falcons suffered a 58-51 loss to Saint Joseph last season. Joe Chrapliwy accounted for 11 points in Glenn’s 56-45 loss to Penn. Nick Shrewsberry mustered 11 points in Saint Joe’s 69-32 win over New Prairie. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 57, Glenn 54.
Lakeland (12-4) at Goshen (5-10): The Lakers came up with a 68-59 win over Goshen a season ago. Nate Keil’s 28 points lifted Lakeland to a 70-40 win against Churubusco. Andre Williams amassed three points in the RedHawks’ 62-56 overtime win over Plymouth. Matt’s pick: Lakeland 61, Goshen 59.
Marian (10-8, 4-1 NIC) at New Prairie (4-14, 0-8 NIC): The Knights crowned New Prairie, 61-23, during the 2022-23 season. Zion Rhoades racked up 20 points in Marian’s 73-25 win over Career Academy. Isaac Fronk mustered two points in the Cougars’ 71-26 win over Wheeler. Matt’s pick: Marian 73, New Prairie 53.
Marion (6-11) at Warsaw (12-4): The Tigers clawed past Marion, 62-55, in their last meeting. Jaymen Townsend poured in 31 points in the Giants’ 64-59 loss to Anderson. Luke Yeager accounted for 10 points in Warsaw’s 73-62 win at Chesterton. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 62, Marion 57.
Mishawaka (12-4) at Chesterton (10-7): The Trojans marched to a 70-55 win over Mishawaka during the 2014-15 campaign. Anthony Nelson chipped in five points in the Cavemen’s 60-51 win over Washington. Tyler Parrish’s 37 points were not enough for the Trojans against Warsaw. Matt’s pick: Chesterton 52, Mishawaka 51.
Penn (12-4, 7-1 NIC) at Adams (7-10, 4-3 NIC): The Kingsmen cruised past Adams, 87-35, last year. Trey Miller recorded 12 points for Penn against Glenn. Jarvis Tolbert scored 25 points in the Eagles’ 87-71 loss to Portage. Matt’s pick: Penn 66, Adams 54.
Rochester (8-7) at Plymouth (6-11): The Pilgrims posted a 68-47 win over Rochester last season. Carson Paulik amassed seven points in the Zebras’ 46-44 loss to Lewis Cass. Trey Delp nailed a three-pointer in Plymouth’s 53-39 loss to Westview. Matt’s pick: Plymouth 47, Rochester 44.
Wawasee (5-12) at Elkhart Christian (10-6): The Warriors rolled to a 58-30 win over Elkhart Christian a year ago. Collin Ziebarth amassed 15 points in Wawasee’s 57-50 loss to Northridge. Aiden Hibbard scored 26 points in the Eagles’ 57-53 overtime loss to Bethany Christian. Matt’s pick: Wawasee 43, Elkhart Christian 40.
West Noble (7-9) at NorthWood (11-6): The No. 9 and defending Class 3A state champion Panthers won the 2023 sectional title with a 57-24 win over West Noble. David Slone’s 12 points lifted the Chargers to a 45-43 win over LaVille. Seth Russell had two points in NorthWood’s 46-25 win over Beech Grove. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 53, West Noble 46.
WEDNESDAY
Marian (11-8, 5-1 NIC) at Glenn (9-8, 3-5 NIC): The Knights were a 52-41 winner over Glenn in their last matchup. Jackson Horvath netted 11 points in Marian’s 64-47 win at New Prairie. Joe Divine’s five points couldn’t help the Falcons in their 73-40 loss to Saint Joseph. Matt’s pick: Marian 55, Glenn 50.
THURSDAY
Elkhart (2-15, 1-6 NIC) at Bremen (7-8, 1-5 NIC): The Lions roared to a 59-39 win against Bremen a season ago. Will Cochrane scored 11 points in Elkhart’s 45-26 win over New Prairie. Cam Hickman’s four points lifted the Lions to a 62-46 win at Oregon-Davis. Matt’s pick: Elkhart 44, Bremen 42.
FRIDAY
Clay (9-9, 2-7 NIC) at Elkhart (3-15, 2-6 NIC): The Colonials claimed a 68-48 win over Elkhart last year. Tyrese Jones poured in a career-high 36 points in Clay’s 85-51 win against Career Academy. Deemario McCoy tallied 15 points in the Lions’ 54-43 win over Bremen. Matt’s pick: Clay 70, Elkhart 65.
Concord (15-2, 5-1 NLC) at Northridge (14-4, 4-2 NLC): The Raiders earned a 47-30 victory against Concord a season ago. Jaylan Bolen contributed four points in the Minutemen’s 47-29 win over NorthWood. Mason Bales racked up 13 points in Northridge’s 60-50 win at Jimtown. Matt’s pick: Northridge 57, Concord 51.
Glenn (9-9, 3-6 NIC) at Jimtown (8-9, 5-3 NIC): The Falcons soared to a 72-34 win over Jimtown a year ago. Dylan Albright had six points in Glenn’s 61-37 loss to Marian. Will Spurgeon managed eight points for the Jimmies against Northridge. Matt’s pick: Jimtown 50, Glenn 47.
Goshen (5-11, 1-5 NLC) at Wawasee (6-12, 1-4 NLC): The RedHawks flew past Wawasee, 60-45, last season. Gage Worthman racked up 12 points in Goshen’s 61-56 loss to Lakeland. Weston DeLong’s eight points lifted the Warriors to a 65-61 overtime win at Elkhart Christian. Matt’s pick: Wawasee 41, Goshen 37.
Marian (12-8, 6-1 NIC) at Saint Joseph (12-7, 6-2 NIC): Saint Joe is looking to make amends for a 76-48 loss to Marian last year. Elias Norgaard recorded 14 points for the Knights against Glenn. Brashaun Woods registered 12 points for Saint Joseph against Glenn. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 69, Marian 66.
Mishawaka (12-5, 4-1 NLC) at NorthWood (12-6, 4-2 NLC): The reigning Class 3A state champion Panthers trounced Mishawaka, 64-28, during the 2022-23 season. Jack Troyer mustered four points in the Cavemen’s 68-59 loss to Chesterton. Keegin Stats chipped in eight points in NorthWood’s 42-31 win over West Noble. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 49, Mishawaka 48.
New Prairie (4-15, 0-9 NIC) at Adams (7-11, 4-4 NIC): The Cougars posted a 60-49 win over Adams in their last meeting. Marshall Kmiecik’s 11 points were not enough for New Prairie against Marian. Gerron Barr accounted for 13 points in the Eagles’ 60-37 loss to Penn. Matt’s pick: Adams 61, New Prairie 50.
Penn (13-4, 8-1 NIC) at Washington (7-10, 5-4 NIC): The Kingsmen crowned Washington, 85-51, last season. Ethan Good managed 11 points for Penn against Adams. Josh Johnson ended with three points for the Panthers against Mishawaka. Matt’s pick: Penn 68, Washington 58.
Plymouth (7-11, 1-5 NLC) at Warsaw (12-5, 3-3 NLC): The Tigers edged Plymouth, 38-37, a year ago. Preston Wolfe came up with 19 points in the Pilgrims’ 67-63 win against Rochester. Luke Bricker ended with 18 points in Warsaw’s 76-66 loss to Marion. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 52, Plymouth 45.
Riley (16-4, 8-1 NIC) at Bremen (7-9, 1-6 NIC): The Wildcats cruised to a 68-28 win against Bremen a season ago. Payton Baird’s 14 points lifted Riley to a 75-48 win against Washington. Chase Devine amassed 21 points for the Lions against Elkhart. Matt’s pick: Riley 74, Bremen 51.
SATURDAY
Lakeland (14-4) at NorthWood (12-7): The defending Class 3A state champion Panthers opened the 2022-23 campaign with a 74-37 win at Lakeland. Levi Cook amassed 14 points for the Lakers against Goshen. Tyler Raasch’s 18 points were not enough in NorthWood’s 40-32 loss to Mishawaka. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 45, Lakeland 42.
LaPorte (9-10) at Goshen (6-11): The Slicers slipped past Goshen, 66-64, last year. Nic Spence totaled nine points in LaPorte’s 63-43 loss to Merrillville. Braxton Cline mustered four points in the RedHawks’ 55-44 win at Wawasee. Matt’s pick: Goshen 51, LaPorte 49.
Westville (10-9) at Warsaw (13-5): Kaden Pepper accounted for 24 points in the Blackhawks’ 80-24 win over Portage Christian. Brandt Martin contributed 23 points in the Tigers’ 63-56 win over Plymouth. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 66, Westville 53.