The regular season ended okay as I went 24-7 (77 percent) last week. Entering the post-season, my overall record is now 303-71, which keeps me at 81 percent.
TUESDAY
CLASS 4A MICHIGAN CITY
LaPorte (14-9) vs. Penn (16-8): The Kingsmen crowed LaPorte, 78-52, in the 2019 sectional semifinals. Nic Spence tallied 11 points in the Slicers’ 71-43 loss at Marian. Peyton Miamba scored eight points in Penn’s 48-47 win over Merrillville. Matt’s pick: Penn 69, LaPorte 54.
Mishawaka (5-17) vs. Riley (18-4): The Wildcats clawed past Mishawaka, 74-29, on December 3. Kamdon Putz ended with two points in the Cavemen’s 72-42 loss at Penn. Marvin Schindler poured in 23 points in Riley’s 72-34 win at Bowman Academy. Matt’s pick: Riley 79, Mishawaka 56.
CLASS 4A ELKHART
Concord (13-9) vs. Warsaw (22-4): The No. 8 Tigers roared to a 64-38 win over Concord on January 24. Cam Bonds finished with seven points in the Minutemen’s 56-45 win over Westview. Brandt Martin’s 15 points lifted Warsaw to a 62-55 win over Tippecanoe Valley. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 60, Concord 52.
CLASS 3A PLYMOUTH
New Prairie (5-17) vs. Glenn (3-19): The Falcons flew past New Prairie, 54-48, on November 30. Isaac Fronk chipped in four points in the Cougars’ 55-39 win at Boone Grove. Kade Lang accounted for 14 points in Glenn’s 65-28 loss to Goshen. Matt’s pick: New Prairie 44, Glenn 35.
CLASS 3A NORTHWOOD
Tippecanoe Valley (18-5) vs. West Noble (8-14): The Vikings posted a 60-55 win over West Noble in the 2022 sectional quarterfinals. Blaine Sheetz contributed 13 points in Tippecanoe Valley’s 60-57 win over Washington. Jordan Eash registered 25 points in the Chargers’ 54-43 loss to Goshen. Matt’s pick: Tippecanoe Valley 53, West Noble 47.
NorthWood (19-4) vs. Columbia City (14-9): The Eagles suffered a 64-51 setback to NorthWood on January 7. Collin Deatsman added nine points in the Panthers’ 55-20 win over Elkhart. Landon Richmond tallied 18 points in Columbia City’s 65-55 loss to No. 10 (Class 4A) Northridge. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 57, Columbia City 50.
CLASS 2A JIMTOWN
LaVille (15-8) vs. Jimtown (12-10): The Jimmies earned a 50-34 victory over LaVille on December 6. Andre Gonzales recorded 15 points in the Lancers’ 59-46 win at Trinity Greenlawn. Javan Jackson racked up 13 points in Jimtown’s 48-42 win over Elkhart. Matt’s pick: Jimtown 46, LaVille 45.
Winamac (14-8) vs. Career Academy (1-21): The Warriors needed two overtimes to claim a 70-64 win over Career Academy during the 2021-22 campaign. Justin Potthoff scored 17 points in Winamac’s 54-28 win over DeMotte Christian. Davion Mitchell ended with 11 points in the Trailblazers’ 43-41 loss to Glenn. Matt’s pick: Winamac 59, Career Academy 40.
WEDNESDAY
CLASS 3A PLYMOUTH
Marian (14-9) vs. Plymouth (9-13): The Knights clubbed Plymouth, 65-27, a season ago. Brandon Foster amassed seven points for Marian against LaPorte. Trent VanDuyne netted 18 points in the Pilgrims’ 93-62 loss to No. 3 Saint Joseph. Matt’s pick: Marian 64, Plymouth 51,
Washington (16-7) vs. Saint Joseph (20-3): The Panthers dropped a 96-53 decision to No. 3 Saint Joseph on January 16. Mike Stuckey’s 12 points were not enough for Washington against Tippecanoe Valley. Chase Konieczny erupted for 43 points in the Huskies’ 90-59 win over Mishawaka. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 77, Washington 61.