Mother Nature played havoc with last week’s schedule as I was limited to a 7-3 (70 percent) record. My overall record is now 138-47, which keeps me at 75 percent for the season.
TUESDAY
Adams (4-7, 2-1 NIC) at Washington (7-3, 5-0 NIC): The Panthers registered a 78-40 win over Adams in their previous meeting. K.J. Johnston accounted for two points in the Eagles’ 61-54 loss to Bowman Academy. Da’Kori Parker poured in 24 points in Washington’s 73-64 victory against Bremen. Matt’s pick: Washington 79, Adams 62.
Elkhart (0-10) at Concord (10-2): The Minutemen posted a 59-46 win over Elkhart last season. Conner Thomas mustered five points for the Lions against Mishawaka. Braeden Messenger racked up 16 points in Concord’s 51-42 win over Plymouth. Matt’s pick: Concord 51, Elkhart 39.
Goshen (4-5) at Jimtown (3-7): The RedHawks went to overtime to post a 51-50 win over Jimtown last year. Ryan Eldridge recorded four points in Goshen’s 47-22 loss to Concord. Javen Jackson accounted for five points in the Jimmies’ 35-31 loss to Penn. Matt’s pick: Jimtown 40, Goshen 38.
Marian (5-8) at Culver Academy (5-3): The Knights crowned Culver Academy, 46-34, a season ago. Deuce Owens tallied 16 points for Marian in its 76-42 win against Clay. The Eagles outscored Marquette Catholic, 19-6, in the second quarter on their way to a 44-39 victory. Matt’s pick: Marian 54, Culver Academy 53.
Saint Joseph (6-7) at NorthWood (9-3): The No. 10 and defending Class 3A state champion Panthers cruised to a 66-37 win over Saint Joseph during the 2022-23 campaign. Braylen White finished with two points in Saint Joe’s 55-46 loss to Penn. Grant Miller had three points for NorthWood against Northridge. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 55, Saint Joseph 50.
WEDNESDAY
Penn (8-3) at Northridge (10-3): The Kingsmen claimed the 2023 Class 4A Elkhart Sectional crown with a 75-62 win over Northridge. Peyton Miamba added two points for Penn against Jimtown. Gideon Campbell’s five points were not enough in the Raiders’ 59-57 loss to NorthWood. Matt’s pick: Northridge 66, Penn 60.
EVERWISE BI-COUNTY TOURNAMENT
Oregon-Davis (2-8) at Triton (7-2): The Bobcats suffered a 56-43 loss to Triton on November 23. Oregon-Davis ended a 12-game road streak with a 56-48 triumph over West Central. Kaden Atkins netted right points in the Trojans’ 45-44 overtime loss to Glenn. Matt’s pick: Triton 54, Oregon-Davis 41.
Argos (4-5) at Glenn (5-6): The Falcons edged Argos, 39-36, during the 2018-19 season. Luke Stuts came up with 21 points in the Dragons’ 49-46 overtime loss to Pioneer. Carson Krueger added 13 points for Glenn against Triton. Matt’s pick: Glenn 44, Argos 42.
Bremen (5-4) at New Prairie (2-11): The Lions roared past New Prairie, 62-32, on December 8. Camden Hickman mustered seven points in Bremen’s 57-47 loss to Bethany Christian. Jaydon Clemons’ four points were not enough in the Cougars’ 71-45 loss to Riley. Matt’s pick: Bremen 50, New Prairie 35.
Culver (6-4) at LaVille (4-5): The Cavaliers earned a 65-54 win over LaVille a year ago. Jack Rodgers’ 39 points lifted Culver to a 78-56 win over Community Baptist. Michael Good came up with 18 points in the Lancers’ 56-45 loss to Tippecanoe Valley. Matt’s pick: LaVille 41, Culver 39.
THURSDAY
Riley (14-3, 6-0 NIC) at Clay (6-6, 1-4 NIC): The Wildcats hung on for a 68-64 win over Clay last season. Montrell Northern racked up four points in Riley’s 66-64 win at Michigan City. Tyrese Jones accounted for nine points for the Colonials against Marian. Matt’s pick: Riley 72, Clay 63.
Saint Joseph (7-7, 2-2 NIC) at Elkhart (0-11, 0-4 NIC): The Lions came away with a 64-58 win over Saint Joseph last year. Jayce Lee notched 12 of his 18 points in the first quarter of Saint Joe’s 48-46 win at No. 6 (Class 3A) NorthWood. Deron Williams chipped in two points in Elkhart’s 45-30 loss to Concord. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 57, Elkhart 46.
Washington (7-4, 5-1 NIC) at Jimtown (4-7, 2-3 NIC): The Jimmies dropped a 66-29 decision to Washington a year ago. Donovan Johnson’s 20 points were not enough in the Panthers’ 53-48 loss to Adams. Jackson Clopton ended with 10 points in Jimtown’s 47-38 win over Goshen. Matt’s pick: Washington 49, Jimtown 40.
FRIDAY
Elkhart (0-12) at Tippecanoe Valley (8-5): Frankie Willis amassed 14 points in the Lions’ 77-50 loss to Saint Joseph. Stephen Akase recorded 20 points for the Vikings against LaVille. Matt’s pick: Tippecanoe Valley 53, Elkhart 45.
NorthWood (9-4, 3-0 NLC) at Goshen (4-6, 0-2 NLC): The RedHawks suffered a 45-29 loss to No. 6 (Class 3A) NorthWood during the 2022-23 season. Ethan Wolfe managed 17 points for the Panthers against Saint Joseph. Levi Sawatzky totaled 15 points for Goshen against Jimtown. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 59, Goshen 51.
Penn (9-3, 5-0 NIC) at Marian (6-8, 1-1 NIC): The Kingsmen crowned Marian, 66-52, last year. John Bedient chipped in four points in Penn’s 57-49 overtime win at Northridge. Deuce Owens racked up 10 points in the Knights’ 35-24 win at Culver Academy. Matt’s pick: Penn 64, Marian 55.
Warsaw (8-2, 1-1 NLC) at Concord (11-2, 2-1 NLC): The Tigers clawed past Concord, 52-35, a year ago. Luke Bricker paced Warsaw with 18 points in a 56-53 win at Penn. Jaylan Bolen added five points for the Minutemen against Elkhart. Matt’s pick: Concord 40, Warsaw 38.
Wawasee (5-7, 1-1 NLC) at Plymouth (5-7, 0-3 NLC): The Warriors downed Plymouth, 55-40, in their last meeting. Maddux Everingham totaled 14 points in Wawasee’s 49-37 loss to Homestead. Preston Wolfe accounted for 11 points for the Pilgrims against Concord. Matt’s pick: Plymouth 52, Wawasee 49.
EVERWISE BI-COUNTY TOURNAMENT SEMIFINALS
Triton (8-2) vs. Glenn (6-6): The Falcons needed overtime to claim a 45-44 win over Triton on January 9. Dante Workman accounted for 10 points for the Trojans in a 56-25 win against Oregon-Davis. Joe Chrapliwy poured in 19 points for Glenn in a 72-52 win against Argos. Matt’s pick: Glenn 51, Triton 47.
Bremen (6-4) vs. LaVille (5-5): The Lions roared to a 52-45 win over LaVille on November 30. Chase Devine ended with 20 points for Bremen in a 43-38 win against New Prairie. Lucas Plummer added 20 points for the Lancers in their 85-57 win against Culver. Matt’s pick: Bremen 50, LaVille 49.
SATURDAY
Goshen (4-7, 0-3 NLC) at Warsaw (8-3, 1-2 NLC): The RedHawks rallied for a 51-48 win over Warsaw last season. Gage Worthman racked up nine points and seven rebounds in Goshen’s 48-30 loss to No. 6 (Class 3A) NorthWood. Brandt Martin ended with eight points in the Tigers’ 56-45 loss to Concord. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 42, Goshen 32.
Mishawaka (8-3, 2-0 NLC) at Northridge (10-4, 1-2 NLC): The Cavemen clubbed Northridge, 73-57, last year. Cooper Pritchett ended with 10 points in Mishawaka’s 48-45 win over Elkhart. Brady Scholl registered 15 points for the Raiders against Penn. Matt’s pick; Mishawaka 62, Northridge 59.
Washington (7-5) at Valparaiso (11-4): The Panthers claimed a 49-40 win against Valparaiso a season ago. Josh Johnson amassed 10 points in Washington’s 53-42 loss to Jimtown. Jack Smiley’s 23 points were not enough in the Vikings’ 63-58 loss to No. 5 (Class 4A) Lake Central. Matt’s pick: Valparaiso 58, Washington 51.
EVERWISE BI-COUNTY TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP
Glenn (7-6) vs, LaVille (6-5): The Falcons soared to a 56-44 win against LaVille on December 16. Joe Chrapliwy finished with 17 points in Glenn’s 60-44 win over Triton. Collin Czarnecki’s 18 points lifted the Lancers to a 48-46 win over Bremen. Matt’s pick: Glenn 63, LaVille 59.