SATURDAY
CLASS 4A LAKE CENTRAL
Crown Point (20-2) vs. Lake Central (9-13): The No. 4 Bulldogs coasted to an 80-49 win over Lake Central on February 21. Mason Darrell came up with 17 points in Crown Point’s 80-57 win over Hammond Morton. Jakob Billmeyer netted six points in the Indians’ 54-32 win over Munster. Matt’s pick: Crown Point 75, Lake Central 57.
CLASS 4A VALPARAISO
Portage (19-5) vs. Merrillville (7-18): The Indians stampeded Merrillville, 64-40, on December 28 and 60-31 on January 24. O’Mari Evans’ 24 points lifted Portage to a 69-55 win over Chesterton. Josiah Jones chipped in 11 points in the Pirates’ 58-46 win over Hobart. Matt’s pick: Portage 67, Merrillville 56.
CLASS 4A MICHIGAN CITY
LaPorte (16-9) vs. Riley (20-4): The Wildcats clawed past LaPorte, 75-59, on November 26. Sawyer Tonagel recorded 14 points in the Slicers’ 66-51 win over Michigan City. Jaylen Barbara scored 16 points in Riley’s 70-54 win over Adams. Matt’s pick: Riley 78, LaPorte 59.
CLASS 4A ELKHART
Northridge (21-3) vs. Warsaw (24-4): The No. 9 Tigers rallied for a 64-59 win over No. 9 Northridge on January 10. Brady Scholl finished with 14 points in the Raiders’ 49-34 win over Elkhart. Parker Justice tallied 12 points in Warsaw’s 59-51 win over Goshen. Matt’s pick: Northridge 44, Warsaw 43.
CLASS 4A CARROLL (FORT WAYNE)
Carroll (Fort Wayne) (10-15) vs. Fort Wayne Northrop (10-13): The Bruins recorded a 48-42 win over Carroll (Fort Wayne) on February 14. Paxton Crane came up with 28 points in the Chargers’ 62-42 win over Fort Wayne Snider. James Browning notched 10 points in Fort Wayne Northrop’s 54-49 loss to No. 7 (Class 3A) Fort Wayne Blackhawk. Matt’s pick: Carroll 57. Fort Wayne Northrop 54.
CLASS 4A FORT WAYNE WAYNE
Homestead (20-5) vs. Fort Wayne Wayne (17-6): The Generals registered a 63-60 victory over Homestead on February 11. Jake Coolman registered 20 points in the Spartans’ 57-51 win over Huntington North. Chase Barnes’ 26 points vaulted Fort Wayne Wayne to an 89-60 win over Fort Wayne South. Matt’s pick: Fort Wayne Wayne 69, Homestead 66.
CLASS 4A KOKOMO
Harrison (West Lafayette) (18-6) vs. Kokomo (17-7): The Raiders marched past Kokomo 70-59, on January 17. Malachi King went over the 1,000-point mark for his career with 14 points in Harrison’s 55-51 win over Lafayette Jeff. Baris Moore notched 12 points in the Wildkats’ 70-62 win over McCutcheon. Matt’s pick: Kokomo 61, Harrison 58.
CLASS 4A CARMEL
Noblesville (19-5) vs. Fishers (26-0): The top-ranked and defending state champion Tigers roared their way to a 74-40 win over No. 8 Noblesville on December 6. Justin Curry finished with 17 points in the Millers’ 56-53 win over Hamilton Southeastern. JonAnthony Hall added 15 points in Fishers’ 57-41 win over Zionsville. Matt’s pick: Fishers 65, Noblesville 52.
CLASS 3A EAST CHICAGO CENTRAL
East Chicago Central (18-8) vs. Gary West (17-6): The Cougars streaked past East Chicago Central, 60-57, on January 30. Jamarie Pollard accounted for 10 points in the Cardinals’ 73-48 win over Hammond Bishop Noll. With a 72-38 win over Calumet, Gary West has won two straight and 13 of its last 15 contests. Matt’s pick: East Chicago Central 70, Gary West 67.
CLASS 3A KANKAKEE VALLEY
River Forest (17-6) vs. Hanover Central (14-11): The Wildcats squeezed by River Forest, 48-46, in last year’s sectional semifinals. Royce Thompson exploded for 30 points in the Ingots’ 62-38 win over North Newton. Henry Maurer’s six points in the fourth quarter lifted Hanover Central to a 45-33 win over Lowell. Matt’s pick: River Forest 55, Hanover Central 51.
CLASS 3A PLYMOUTH
Culver Academy (14-9) vs. Saint Joseph (22-3): The No. 2 Huskies escaped with a 50-49 win at Culver Academy on February 4. Luke Holok ended with 13 points in the Eagles; 70-32 win over New Prairie. Ethan Roseman came up with 14 points and eight assists in Saint Joseph’s 69-47 win over Marian. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 56, Culver Academy 50.
CLASS 3A NORTHWOOD
Tippecanoe Valley (20-5) vs. Columbia City (16-9): The Eagles flew past Tippecanoe Valley, 49-35, a season ago. Stephen Akase had 13 points in the Vikings’ 44-29 win over Wawasee. Landon Richmond tossed in 10 points in Columbia City’s 55-33 decision over Fairfield. Matt’s pick: Columbia City 48, Tippecanoe Valley 45.
CLASS 3A GARRETT
Leo (13-10) vs. Fort Wayne Blackhawk (23-3): The No. 7 Braves posted a 55-28 win against Leo on February 25. Jaiyre Sampson had 20 points in the Lions’ 67-42 win over Garrett. Kellen Pickett contributed 19 points in Blackhawk’s 69-34 win over East Noble. Matt’s pick: Blackhawk 63, Leo 48.
CLASS 3A BELLMONT
New Haven (14-10) vs. Marion (13-11): Jadrien Ezell poured in 30 points in the Bulldogs’ 71-49 win over Norwell. Tim Jones canned 17 points in the Giants’ 77-60 win over Heritage. Matt’s pick: Marion 64, New Haven 51.
CLASS 3A LOGANSPORT
Logansport (9-15) vs. Maconaquah (19-5): The Berries suffered an 89-66 loss to Maconaquah on December 21. R.J. Clem posted a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds in Logansport’s 71-57 win against Peru. Josiah Ball totaled 23 points in the Braves’ 74-49 win over Northwestern. Matt’s pick: Maconaquah 63, Logansport 57.
CLASS 3A NEW CASTLE
Delta (15-7) vs. New Castle (9-14): The Eagles grounded New Castle, 58-46, on February 14. Bronson Edwards paved the way with 20 points in Delta’s 49-39 win over Yorktown. Landon Thompson’s 16 points were not enough in the Trojans’ 60-57 loss to Muncie Central. Matt’s pick: Delta 60, New Castle 52.
CLASS 2A HEBRON
Gary 21st Century (18-6) vs. Hebron (15-9): The Hawks are looking to make amends for an 85-50 loss to No. 6 Gary 21st Century on February 14. Terrence Hayes tallied 21 points in the Cougars’ 65-46 win over Andrean. Spencer Spinks hauled down 14 rebounds in Hebron’s 62-48 win over Boone Grove. Matt’s pick: Gary 21st Century 80, Hebron 62.
CLASS 2A JIMTOWN
Jimtown (14-10) vs. Bremen (13-10): The Jimmies went to overtime to earn a 56-54 win over Bremen on January 31. Will Spurgeon managed 10 points in Jimtown’s 68-27 win over Knox. Ty Graverson ended with eight points in the Lions’ 52-43 win over Winamac. Matt’s pick: Jimtown 47, Bremen 43.
CLASS 2A WESTVIEW
Westview (17-7) vs. Central Noble (14-10): The Warriors rolled to a 59-27 win over Central Noble on December 14. Kaden Grau erupted for 35 points in Westview’s 64-49 win over Lakeland. Colt Kirkpatrick totaled 15 points in the Cougars’ 55-21 triumph over Eastside. Matt’s pick: Westview 50, Central Noble 40.
CLASS 2A SOUTH ADAMS
Woodlan (18-7) vs. Fort Wayne Bishop Luers (20-6): The No. 8 Knights crowned Woodlan, 100-52, during the 2008-09 campaign. Trey Yoder totaled 20 points, including the game-winning three-pointer, in the Warriors’ 44-43 win over Adams Central. Dereon Truesdale poured in 19 points in Bishop Luers’ 76-44 win over South Adams. Matt’s pick: Bishop Luers 72, Woodlan 56.
CLASS 2A NORTH MONTGOMERY
Seeger (13-11) vs. Western Boone (10-14): The Patriots were a 56-53 winner over Western Boone on February 11. Jacob Salts tossed in 17 points in Seeger’s 49-44 win over North Montgomery. Gavin Hawkins amassed 18 points in the Stars’ 70-35 win over Rensselaer Central. Matt’s pick: Seeger 45, Western Boone 44.
CLASS 2A WABAGH
Manchester (21-2) vs. Oak Hill (17-6): The No. 3 Squires claimed a 76-36 win over Oak Hill on November 30. Ethan Hendrix drained 23 points in Manchester’s 71-46 win over Rochester. R.J. Shugard registered 23 points in the Golden Eagles’ 55-46 win over Lewis Cass. Matt’s pick: Manchester 68, Oak Hill 62.
CLASS 2A FRANKTON
Tipton (18-6) vs. Frankton (17-8): The Blue Devils came away with a 59-50 win against Frankton on December 7. Grady Carpenter accounted for 29 points in Tipton’s 59-54 win over Sheridan. Joey Wright ended with 14 points in the Eagles’ 61-49 win over Lapel. Matt’s pick: Frankton 58, Tipton 57.
CLASS 2A BLACKFORD
Wapahani (24-1) vs. Madison-Grant (12-12): Camden Bell recorded 25 points in the top-ranked Raiders’ 63-54 win over Blackford. Brock Barnhart notched 22 points in the Argylls’ 82-40 win over Muncie Burris. Matt’s pick: Wapahani 74, Madison-Grant 54.
CLASS 1A KOUTS
Washington Township (21-4) vs. Kouts (21-4): The No. 3 Mustangs raced past No. 10 Washington Township, 87-64, on January 25. Connor Parks led the way with 18 points in the Senators’ 68-53 win over Morgan Township. Billy Miller’s eight points and eight rebounds helped Kouts to a 54-45 win against Marquette Catholic. Matt’s pick: Kouts 65, Washington Township 60.
CLASS 1A TRI-COUNTY
West Central (17-7) vs. Tri-County (13-11): The Trojans posted a 60-55 win over Tri-County on January 17. Christian Hughes contributed 19 points in West Central’s 59-52 win over Caston. Grayson Schneider netted 13 points in the Cavaliers’ 49-45 win over Pioneer. Matt’s pick: West Central 42, Tri-County 38.
CLASS 1A NORTH JUDSON
Triton (21-4) vs. Trinity Greenlawn (16-8): The Titans lost 35-18 to Triton on February 11. Brady Wood knocked down nine points in the Trojans’ 42-34 win over Elkhart Christian. Mac Busk mustered four points in Trinity’s 54-38 win against Argos. Matt’s pick: Triton 43, Trinity Greenwood 35.
CLASS 1A FREMONT
Lakewood Park Christian (8-16) vs. Fort Wayne Canterbury (9-14): The defending state champion Cavaliers racked up a 51-48 win over Lakewood Park on January 17. Avery MacFarlane racked up 21 points and 18 rebounds in the Panthers’ 38-35 overtime win against Bethany Christian. Reed Hayes added 13 points in Canterbury’s 44-39 win over Lakeland Christian. Matt’s pick: Fort Wayne Canterbury 46, Lakewood Park 43.
CLASS 1A NORTH VERMILLION
Covington (13-13) vs. Lafayette Central Catholic (11-14); The Trojans dropped a 47-38 decision to Lafayette Central Catholic on December 13. Curt Slider amassed 17 points in Covington’s 71-51 win over Faith Christian. Ray Clayton ended with 10 points in the Knights’ 45-27 win over Fountain Central. Matt’s pick: Lafayette Central Catholic 51, Covington 47.
CLASS 1A CLINTON CENTRAL
Frontier (17-7) vs. Clinton Prairie (22-2): The No. 3 Gophers mustered a 54-43 win over Frontier on December 20. With their 72-33 victory over Traders Point Christian, Drew Turner and the Falcons have now won eight straight contests. Jake McGraw had 20 points in Clinton Prairie’s 64-40 win over No. 8 Carroll (Flora). Matt’s pick: Clinton Prairie 59, Frontier 51.
CLASS 1A SOUTHWOOD
Northfield (11-13) vs. Daleville (8-15): Carter Rodgers scored 16 points in the Norsemen’s 56-31 win over Cowan. Joshua Wilson recorded a career-high 17 points in the Broncos’ 75-62 win over Tri-Central. Matt’s pick: Northfield 40, Daleville 34.
CLASS 1A BLUE RIVER VALLEY
Monroe Central (17-6) vs. Seton Catholic (16-10): The Cardinals tallied a 47-34 win over Monroe Central during the 2022-23 season. Easton Foster ended with 21 points in the Golden Bears’ 73-35 win over Cambridge City Lincoln. Eric Parker accounted for 16 points in Seton Catholic’s 66-46 win over Union City. Matt’s pick: Monroe Central 48, Seton Catholic 46.