The 2023 portion of the schedule finished on a positive note as I went 35-9 (80 percent) last week. Heading into the first week of 2024, my overall record is now 117-40, which leaves me at 75 percent for the season.
TUESDAY
NorthWood (6-3) at Columbia City (7-5): The Eagles dropped a 70-44 decision to defending Class 3A state champion NorthWood a year ago. Tyler Raasch managed 17 points in the Panthers’ 59-47 win over Bloomington South. Brady Hartman tallied 23 points in Columbia City’s 50-49 win over No. 6 and defending Class 2A state champion Fort Wayne Blackhawk. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 54, Columbia City 50.
WEDNESDAY
Adams (4-5) at Merrillville (4-4): The Pirates were a 65-52 winner over Adams on December 29, Carter Johnston contributed two points for the Eagles against Merrillville. Preston Saia managed 17 points for Merrillville against Adams. Matt’s pick: Merrillville 63, Adams 58.
THURSDAY
Clay (5-4, 1-3 NIC) at Jimtown (2-6, 1-2 NIC): The Colonials downed Jimtown, 57-45, a year ago. Brad Hicks came up with 13 points in Clay’s 67-52 win over Elkhart Christian. Will Spurgeon chipped in five points in the Jimmies’ 61-29 win over No. (Class 1A) Triton. Matt’s pick: Clay 62, Jimtown 56.
New Prairie (2-8, 0-4 NIC) vs Glenn (3-6, 1-3 NIC): The Falcons soared to a 69-43 win against New Prairie last season. Devan Kalicki managed eight points in the Cougars’ 55-45 win over Knox. Joe Divine added three points in Glenn’s 55-47 win over Garrett. Matt’s pick: Glenn 53, New Prairie 41.
Penn (6-1, 3-0 NIC) at Saint Joseph (6-6, 2-1 NIC): The Kingsmen claimed an 86-69 win over Saint Joseph a season ago. Nolan McCullough notched four points in Penn’s 54-44 win at Chesterton. Chase Konieczny’s 39 points were not enough in Saint Joe’s 72-70 loss to Zionsville. Matt’s pick: Penn 75, Saint Joseph 65.
Riley (11-3, 4-0 NIC) at Elkhart (0-8, 0-3 NIC): The Wildcats clawed past Elkhart, 53-45, last year. Payton Baird’s buzzer-beating half-court shot in overtime lifted Riley to a 60-58 win over Jeffersonville. Alonzo Newbern had six points in the Lions’ 63-60 loss to LaPorte. Matt’s pick: Riley 77, Elkhart 57.
Washington (6-3, 4-0 NIC) at Bremen (5-2, 1-1 NIC): The Panthers managed a 71-33 win over Bremen in their last matchup. Josh Johnson mustered five points in Washington’s 69-62 loss to Northridge. Tyrus Graverson scored eight points in the Lions’ 58-52 win over Central Noble. Matt’s pick: Washington 61, Bremen 44.
FRIDAY
Goshen (4-4, 0-1 NLC) at Concord (7-2, 0-1 NLC): The Minutemen posted a 57-41 win over Goshen last year. Andre Williams tallied nine points in the RedHawks’ 53-42 loss to East Noble. Lucas Prough recorded nine points in Concord’s 69-46 win over Edwardsburg. Matt’s pick: Concord 48, Goshen 42.
Marian (4-7) at Fort Wayne Blackhawk (8-3): Jordan Maust finished with nine points in the Knights’ 49-44 win over Carroll (Fort Wayne). Kellen Pickett poured in 23 points in the No. 7 and defending Class 2A state champion Braves’ 72-43 win over Manchester. Matt’s pick: Blackhawk 69, Marian 64.
NorthWood (7-3, 1-0 NLC) at Wawasee (5-5, 1-0 NLC): The Panthers started their run to the 2023 Class 3A state title with a 52-23 win over Wawasee in the sectional opener. Ethan Wolfe accounted for 16 points in NorthWood’s 45-41 win over Columbia City. Myles Everingham ended with 11 points in the Warriors’ 62-60 overtime loss to Fort Wayne Wayne. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 41, Wawasee 35.
Plymouth (5-4, 0-1 NLC) at Mishawaka (6-3, 1-0 NLC): The Cavemen opened their quest for a Class 4A sectional crown with a 61-35 win over Plymouth. Trenton Van Duyne racked up eight points in the Pilgrims’ 49-41 win over Lewis Cass. Rasauun Johnson contributed 15 points in Mishawaka’s 61-50 loss to Warren Central. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 52, Plymouth 45.
Warsaw (6-2, 0-1 NLC) at Northridge (10-1, 1-0 NLC): The Raiders eliminated Warsaw from the 2023 state tournament with a 55-51 win in the Class 4A Elkhart Sectional opener. Mydin Burgher came up with 12 points in the Tigers’ 67-65 win over Harrison (West Lafayette). Kam Radeker drained six three-pointer and finished with 18 points in Northridge’s 66-60 win over LaPorte. Matt’s pick: Northridge 50, Warsaw 46.
SATURDAY
Bethany Christian (4-7) at Bremen (5-3): The Bruns downed Bremen, 49-43, during the 2022-23 campaign. Tyson Chupp came up with two points in Bethany Christian’s 44-40 win over Argos. Camden Hickman registered 17 points in the Lions’ 73-64 loss to Washington. Matt’s pick: Bremen 51, Bethany Christian 43.
Homestead (5-7) at Wawasee (5-6): The Spartans marched to a 49-31 win over Wawasee in their last matchup. Michael Raudenbush netted 20 points in Homestead’s 53-48 loss to Leo. Maddux Everingham’s 20 points were not enough in the Warriors’ 56-53 loss to NorthWood. Matt’s pick: Homestead 62, Wawasee 58.
Mishawaka (7-3) at Elkhart (0-9): The Lions dropped an 80-56 decision to Mishawaka a season ago. Jack Troyer mustered two points in the Cavemen’s 59-43 win over Plymouth. Frank Willis amassed 12 points in Elkhart’s 68-50 loss to Riley. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 75, Elkhart 61.
New Prairie (2-9) at Concord (8-2): The Cougars suffered a 52-38 loss to Concord last year. Reece Lapczynski had 14 points in New Prairie’s 67-46 loss to Glenn. Jaylan Boylen chipped in seven points in the Minutemen’s 47-22 win over Goshen. Matt’s pick: Concord 60, New Prairie 43.
Penn (7-1) at Valparaiso (10-3): The Kingsmen cruised to an 87-42 win over Valparaiso a year ago. Maverick Brown contributed 17 points in Penn’s 55-46 win over Saint Joseph. Trenton Kimes had nine points in the Vikings’ 58-39 win over Lowell. Matt’s pick: Penn 57, Valparaiso 56.
Plymouth (5-5) at Tippecanoe Valley (6-5): The Vikings were a 58-49 winner over Plymouth last season. Preston Wolfe had eight points for the Pilgrims against Mishawaka. Riley Shepherd scored 15 points in Tippecanoe Valley’s 49-35 loss to Columbia City. Matt’s pick: Tippecanoe Valley 44, Plymouth 40.