FRIDAY
CLASS 4A LAKE CENTRAL
Crown Point (19-2) vs. Hammond Morton (7-16): The No 4 Bulldogs downed Hammond Morton, 76-57, on February 25. Kingston Rhodes knocked down a three-pointer in Crown Point’s 65-36 win over Hanover Central. Michael Woods finished with eight points in the Governors’ 86-65 loss to Portage. Matt’s pick: Crown Point 70, Hammond Morton 51.
Munster (16-7) vs. Lake Central (8-13): The Mustangs earned a 60-49 win over Lake Central on December 17. Josh Malloy drained the game-winning three-pointer in Munster’s 49-47 win over Hammond Central. Zachary Greene paved the way with 18 points in the Indians’ 67-56 win against McCutcheon. Matt’s pick: Munster 50, Lake Central 46.
CLASS 4A VALPARAISO
Portage (18-5) vs. Chesterton (15-8): The Trojans earned a share of the Duneland Athletic Conference title with a 44-42 win over Portage on February 14. Sam Wellman had 15 points in the Indians’ 81-49 win over Hebron. Jaylon Watts tallied 15 points in Chesterton’s 52-40 win over Culver Academy. Matt’s pick: Portage 58, Chesterton 56.
Hobart (9-14) vs. Merrillville (6-18): The Pirates claimed a 70-62 win over Hobart on February 22. Ryan Basham poured in 33 points in the Brickies’ 94-37 win over Whiting. Charles Hardiman netted 15 points in Merrillville’s 46-42 win over Valparaiso. Matt’s pick: Merrillville 61, Hobart 57.
CLASS 4A MICHIGAN CITY
Michigan City (13-9) vs. LaPorte (15-9): The Wolves roared past LaPorte, 74-63, on January 24. Anthony Murphy’s 15 points lifted Michigan City to a 67-59 win at Merrillville. Griffin Ott-Large recorded 19 points in the Slicers’ 52-37 win over Penn. Matt’s pick: Michigan City 65, LaPorte 62.
Adams (13-10) vs. Riley (19-4): The Wildcats clawed past Adams, 70-51, on January 16. Carter Johnson ended with 12 points in the Eagles’ 70-51 win over Elkhart Christian. Tyrese Jones racked up 16 points in Riley’s 62-40 win over Mishawaka. Matt’s pick: Riley 75, Adams 60.
CLASS 4A ELKHART
Northridge (20-3) vs. Elkhart (5-17): The No. 9 Raiders cruised to an 81-41 win over Elkhart on November 26. Kam Radeker scored 12 points in Northridge’s 52-31 win against DeKalb. Landon Baker was limited to one point for the Lions against NorthWood. Matt’s pick: Northridge 71, Elkhart 47.
Goshen (14-9) vs. Warsaw (23-4): The RedHawks dropped a 62-42 decision to No. 9 Warsaw on January 17. Dominick Riley contributed two points for Goshen against Glenn. Sam Lara ended with eight points in the Tigers’ 44-30 win over Concord. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 57, Goshen 43.
CLASS 3A PLYMOUTH
Culver Academy (13-9) vs. New Prairie (6-17): The Eagles soared to a sectional crown in 2022 with a 64-26 win over New Prairie in the title affair. Miles Barger’s three-pointer was not enough for Culver Academy against Chesterton. Brayden Bachmann scored five points in the Cougars’ 49-41 win over Glenn. Matt’s pick: Culver Academy 63, New Prairie 44.
Marian (15-9) vs. Saint Joseph (21-3): The No. 2 Huskies slipped past Marian, 57-54, on February 14. Joaquin Wilson came off the bench to tally 14 points in the Knights’ 53-36 win over Plymouth. Elijah King’s 14 points lifted Saint Joseph to an 85-69 win over Washington. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 62, Marian 53.
CLASS 3A NORTHWOOD
Wawasee (6-16) vs. Tippecanoe Valley (19-5): The Warriors were a 42-26 winner over Tippecanoe Valley during the 2021-22 campaign. Austin Miller added three points in Wawasee’s 57-43 loss to East Noble. Davis Cowan mustered three points in the Vikings’ 40-36 win over West Noble. Matt’s pick: Tippecanoe Valley 56, Wawasee 40.
Fairfield (13-9) vs. Columbia City (15-9): Grady Garber canned nine points in the Falcons’ 45-33 win over Central Noble. Stratton Fuller’s nine points lifted the Eagles to a 46-45 upset of NorthWood. Matt’s pick: Columbia City 52, Fairfield 49.
CLASS 2A JIMTOWN
Knox (4-18) vs. Jimtown (13-10): The Jimmies cruised to a 63-21 win over Knox on January 10. Myles McLaughlin rolled up eight points in the Redskins’ 55-26 loss to Triton. Brenden King erupted for 31 points in Jimtown’s 63-42 win over LaVille. Matt’s pick: Jimtown 64, Knox 41.
Bremen (12-10) vs. Winamac (15-8): The Lions edged Winamac, 62-61, in the 1999 sectional semifinals. Wyatt Beasley finished with three points in Bremen’s 62-19 win over Culver. Will Malchow’s 23 points vaulted the Warriors to a 63-36 win over Career Academy. Matt’s pick: Bremen 47, Winamac 44.