January ended on a sour note as I went 17-9 (65 percent) last week. Heading into the final month of the regular season, my overall record is now 215-51, which leaves me at 81 percent for the season.
TUESDAY
Saint Joseph (14-2) at Culver Academy (9-4): The No. 2 (Class 3A) Huskies roared past Culver Academy, 65-30, a season ago. Ryder Place came up with nine points for Saint Joseph in a 79-42 win over Elkhart. The Eagles outscored Peru, 20-7, in the third quarter on their way to a 62-39 victory. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 64. Culver Academy 57.
Westville (8-8) at Glenn (2-13): The Falcons soared to an 80-44 win over Westville during the 1991-92 campaign. Brian Jackson accounted for 20 points in the Blackhawks’ 58-51 loss to River Forest. Hunter Dupont came up with three points in Glenn’s 60-50 loss at Knox. Matt’s pick: Westville 45, Glenn 40.
THURSDAY
Adams (9-7, 0-4 NIC) at Saint Joseph (15-2, 3-1 NIC): The No. 1 (Class 3A) Huskies clawed their way to a 76-52 win over Adams last year. Lemonz Jones added two points in the Eagles’ 43-31 loss to Penn. Braylin White added four points in Saint Joseph’s 50-49 overtime win over Culver Academy. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 78, Adams 64.
Concord (10-6, 3-2 NLC) at NorthWood (14-3, 4-1 NLC): The Minutemen marched past NorthWood, 47-29, a year ago. Cam Bonds contributed 15 points in Concord’s 47-41 loss at LaPorte. Myles Everingham recorded eight points in the Panthers’ 61-49 loss at No. 7 (Class 4A) Warsaw. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 58, Concord 49.
Goshen (8-8, 2-3 NLC) at Plymouth (8-7, 2-3 NLC): The RedHawks went to overtime to post a 62-56 win over Plymouth last season. Levi Sawatzky’s 24 points were not enough in Goshen’s 57-42 loss to Penn. Hayden Feldman ended with three points in the Pilgrims’ 64-43 loss at Northridge. Matt’s pick: Goshen 50, Plymouth 48.
Marian (11-6, 3-1 NIC) at Penn (11-7, 4-0 NIC): The Knights rallied for a 31-28 victory over Penn a season ago. Joaquin Wilson tossed in 10 points in Marian’s 66-51 win over Washington. Tayshon Bardo chipped in four points for the Kingsmen against Goshen. Matt’s pick: Penn 61, Marian 57.
Mishawaka (5-11, 1-4 NLC) at Warsaw (16-3, 5-0 NLC): The Cavemen escaped with 56-54 overtime win against No. 7 (Class 4A) Warsaw last year. Kamdon Putz canned eight points in Mishawka’s 81-49 loss at Goshen. Mydin Burgher’s eight points lifted the Tigers to a 65-40 win at Elkhart. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 65, Mishawaka 45.
New Prairie (3-12, 0-3 NIC) at Elkhart (4-12, 1-3 NIC): The Lions roared to a 46-26 win over New Prairie in their last meeting. Braden Bachmann accounted for eight points in the Cougars’ 57-46 loss to South Central. Lucas Karbalaeali hit a three-pointer for Elkhart against Warsaw. Matt’s pick: Elkhart 51, New Prairie 38.
Northridge (13-3, 3-2 NLC) at Wawasee (6-11, 0-5 NLC): The Raiders slipped past Wawasee, 57-50, a year ago. Dylan Springer mustered three points in Northridge’s 65-58 loss at Riley. Camden Reel tallied two points in the Warriors’ 46-32 loss to Concord. Matt’s pick: Northridge 66, Wawasee 46.
Riley (13-3, 3-1 NIC) at Washington (12-3, 1-2 NIC): The Panthers are looking to make up for a 75-48 loss to Riley a season ago. Jaylen Barbara chipped in nine points for the Wildcats against Northridge. Kelin Webster’s 10 points helped Washington in its 68-64 upset of No. 3 (Class 4A) Crown Point. Matt’s pick: Riley 80, Washington 75.
Trinity Greenlawn (10-4) at Knox (1-12): Ian Abbott managed 14 points in the Titans’ 53-23 loss to North Judson. Teagan Johnson ended with five points in the Redskins’ 82-50 loss to West Central. Matt’s pick: Trinity 42, Knox 30.
Western (11-7) at Tippecanoe Valley (11-4): The Vikings came away with a 47-22 win over Western last season. Carter Biggs knocked down 14 points in the Panthers’ 65-56 loss to Clinton Prairie. Owen Omandi registered four points in Tippecanoe Valley’s 50-33 win over LaVille. Matt’s pick: Tippecanoe Valley 54, Western 47.
SATURDAY
Adams (9-8) at Portage (13-4): The Indians were an 87-71 winner against Adams last year. Carter Johnston notched three points in the Eagles’ 87-58 loss to Saint Joseph. O’man Evans poured in 24 points in Portage’s 64-40 win over No. 3 (Class 4A) Crown Point. Matt’s pick: Portage 67, Adams 58.
Jeffersonville (11-5) at Marian (11-7): Tre Singleton accounted for 12 points in the No. 10 (Class 4A) Red Devils’ 48-39 win over Bedford North Lawrence. Braxton Brooks finished with five points in the Knights’ 44-39 loss at Penn. Matt’s pick: Jeffersonville 49, Marian 43.
Jimtown (9-7) at Northridge (14-3): The Jimmies suffered a 60-50 loss to Northridge a season ago. Branden King’s 27 points lifted Jimtown to 56-54 win over Bremen. Mason Bales erupted for 19 points in the Raiders’ 58-20 win at Wawasee. Matt’s pick: Northridge 56, Jimtown 44.
New Prairie (3-13, 0-4 NIC) at Washington (12-4, 1-3 NIC): The Cougars dropped a 75-62 decision to Washington a year ago. Dylan Bishop’s eight points were not enough in New Prairie’s 65-39 loss to Elkhart. Josh Johnson mustered five points for the Panthers against Marian. Matt’s pick: Washington 71, New Prairie 54.
Plymouth (8-8) at Career Academy (1-16): The Pilgrims cruised to an 80-52 win against Career Academy during the 2023-24 campaign. Parker Bagley was held to three points in Plymouth’s 62-49 loss to Goshen. Wyatt Saunders totaled two points in the Trailblazers’ 49-34 loss to Elkhart Christian. Matt’s pick: Plymouth 61, Career Academy 41.
Saint Joseph (16-2) at Mount Carmel (IL) (22-5): Nick Shrewsberry recorded 13 points for the Huskies against Adams. Grant Best netted 18 points for the Caravan in their 73-44 win over Urbana. Matt’s pick: Mount Carmel 76, Saint Joseph 70.
West Noble (8-8) at LaVille (11-6): The Chargers surged to a 45-43 win over LaVille last season. Nolan Kelly scored 11 points in West Noble’s 58-42 loss to Westview. Avery Garrett was held to two points for the Lancers against Tippecanoe Valley. Matt’s pick: LaVille 50, West Noble 45.