Things went okay as I went 16-6 (73 percent) last week. My overall record is now 155-36, which leaves me at 81 percent.
TUESDAY
Goshen (6-5) at Elkhart Christian (3-6): The RedHawks flew past Elkhart Christian, 46-28, during the 2016-17 campaign. Levi Sawatzky poured in 15 points in Goshen’s 59-53 win over Concord. Jaden Veda scored 13 points in the Eagles’ 46-32 win over Lakeland Christian. Matt’s pick: Goshen 49, Elkhart Christian 39.
Penn (6-5) at Warsaw (10-3): The No. 7 (Class 4A) Tigers claimed the 2024 Elkhart Sectional title with a 46-34 win over Penn. Tayshon Bardo’s five points vaulted the Kingsmen to a 65-36 win over Valparaiso. Mydin Burgher chipped in four points in Warsaw’s 64-59 win over No. 9 (Class 4A) Northridge. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 45, Penn 40.
WEDNESDAY
Glenn (1-9) at Triton (7-1): The Falcons soared to a 60-44 win over No. 9 (Class 1A) Triton in the 2024 Everwise Bi-County Tournament semifinals. Jude Nicks accounted for 13 points in Glenn’s 67-37 loss to Tippecanoe Valley Julian Swanson’s 15 points lifted the Trojans to a 49-48 win over LaVille. Matt’s pick: Triton 60, Glenn 42.
THURSDAY
Elkhart Christian (3-7) at Bremen (5-6): The Lions needed overtime to earn a 48-46 win over Elkhart Christian during the 2021-22 season. Reid Hoober tallied eight points in the Eagles’ 52-35 loss to Goshen. Bryce Miller had five points in Bremen’s 65-60 win over LaVille. Matt’s pick: Bremen 47, Elkhart Christian 41.
Marian (8-5, 1-0 NIC) at Elkhart (3-8, 0-1 NIC): The Knights crowned Elkhart, 57-40, last year. Deuce Owens’ 18 points propelled Marian to a 76-35 win over New Prairie. Will Cochrane ended with 11 points in the Lions’ 68-59 win over White Pigeon. Matt’s pick: Marian 64, Elkhart 57.
Penn (6-6, 1-0 NIC) at New Prairie (2-8, 0-1 NIC): The Cougars are looking to avenge a 71-21 loss to Penn a season ago. Ben Murphy chipped in 12 points in the Kingsmen’s 59-55 loss to No, 7 (Class 4A) Warsaw. Jaydon Clemons’ six points were not enough in New Prairie’s 39-30 loss to Concord. Matt’s pick: Penn 70, New Prairie 52.
Riley (9-2, 0-1 NIC) at Adams (8-3, 0-1 NIC): The Wildcats downed Adams, 66-55, a year ago. Marvin Schindler mustered only seven points in Riley’s 77-75 loss to Saint Joseph. Mikey Barr’s six points were not enough in the Eagles’ 72-52 win against Washington. Matt’s pick: Riley 81, Adams 69.
Washington (9-1, 1-0 NIC) at Saint Joseph (10-1, 1-0 NIC): The top-ranked (Class 3A) Huskies posted a 93-59 win over Washington last season. Da’Kori Parker netted 17 points for the Panthers against Adams. Elijah King ended with 14 points for Saint Joseph against Riley. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 73, Washington 68.
FRIDAY
Culver Academy (5-2) at Jimtown (6-4): The Eagles flew past Jimtown, 48-35, in the 2019 Class 3A sectional opener. Miles Barger’s 16 points were not enough in Culver Academy’s 59-39 loss to No. 9 (Class 4A) Northridge. Javen Jackson totaled seven points in the Jimmies’ 63-21 win at Knox. Matt’s pick: Culver Academy 50, Jimtown 44.
NorthWood (12-1, 2-0 NLC) at Northridge (10-1, 1-1 NLC): The No. 4 (Class 3A) Panthers edged No. 9 (Class 4A) Northridge, 59-57, a year ago. Davis Everingham registered six points in NorthWood’s 69-33 win over Wawasee. Mason Bales finished with nine points for the Raiders against Warsaw. Matt’s pick: Northridge 65, NorthWood 64.
Plymouth (7-5, 1-1 NLC) at Concord (7-4, 1-1 NLC): The Minutemen marched past Plymouth, 51-47, last season. Kylen Ellery notched 10 points in the Pilgrims’ 58-28 win against Argos. Lucas Prough came up with five points in Concord’s 39-30 win over New Prairie. Matt’s pick: Concord 47, Plymouth 41.
Warsaw (11-3, 2-0 NLC) at Goshen (7-5, 1-1 NLC): The No. 7 (Class 4A) Tigers clawed past Goshen, 61-41, last year. Parker Justice contributed three points for Warsaw against Penn. Braxton Cline racked up 10 points for the RedHawks against Elkhart Christian. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 62, Goshen 52.
Wawasee (4-8, 0-2 NLC) at Mishawaka (3-7, 0-2 NLC): The Warriors downed Mishawaka, 54-51, a season ago. Kaden Andrew finished with six points for Wawasee against NorthWood. Le’Jordan Fowler contributed eight points in the Cavemen’s 61-39 loss at Plymouth. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 55, Wawasee 47.
SATURDAY
Bremen (6-6) at Bethany Christian (7-6): The Bruins claimed a 57-47 win over Bremen in their last meeting. Maddux Hickman came up with two points in the Lions’ 57-39 win over Elkhart Christian. Zane Parson poured in 21 points in Bethany Christian’s 63-37 win over Career Academy. Matt’s pick: Bremen 53, Bethany Christian 50.
Culver Academy (6-2) at Tippecanoe Valley (8-4): The Vikings suffered a 61-41 loss to Culver Academy during the 2015-16 campaign. Andrew Oliver-Overmyer topped the Eagles with 31 points in their 74-65 win over Jimtown. Davis Cowan had 14 points for Tippecanoe Valley against Glenn. Matt’s pick: Culver Academy 65, Tippecanoe Valley 61.
Glenn (1-10) at Morgan Township (3-9): The Cherokees slipped past Glenn, 45-42, during the 2007-08 season. Kadyn Lang finished with 12 points in the Falcons’ 64-31 loss to No. 9 (Class 1A) Triton. Clint Lemmons recorded 13 points in Morgan Township’s 58-56 loss to Boone Grove. Matt’s pick: Morgan Township 48, Glenn 38.
LaVille (6-5) at Elkhart Christian (3-8): The Lancers suffered a 74-71 loss to Elkhart Christian last year. Avery Garrett came up with three points for LaVille against Bremen. Kian Hibbard accounted for 13 points for the Eagles against Bremen. Matt’s pick: LaVille 51, Elkhart Christian 39.
Mishawaka (4-7) at LaPorte (10-4): The Cavemen were a 50-44 winner over LaPorte in the 2024 Class 4A Mishawaka Sectional quarterfinal. Jackson Snyder’s 17 points lifted Mishawaka to a 40-37 win over Wawasee. Griffin Ott-Large registered 17 points in the Slivers’ 53-46 win against Chesterton. Matt’s pick: LaPorte 62, Mishawaka 56.
Riley (10-2) at Fishers (13-0): The Wildcats earned a 69-60 win over No. 1 and defending Class 4A state champion Fishers during the 2010-11 campaign. Brandon Williams racked up 12 points in Riley’s 70-51 win at Adams. Jonanthony Hall contributed eight points, six rebounds, and five assists in the Tigers; 62-56 win over Fort Wayne Wayne. Matt’s pick: Fishers 76, Riley 69.
South Central (6-6) at Jimtown (6-5): Jay Huerta totaled 16 points in the Satellites’ 61-58 loss to Hebron. Branden King erupted for 13 points for the Jimmies against Culver Academy. Matt’s pick: Jimtown 55, South Central 53.
Twin Lakes (9-5) at Knox (0-8): The Indians managed a 65-56 win against Knox a season ago. Jack Kaufmann rolled up 11 points in Twin Lakes’ 56-33 win over Benton Central. Chas Fletcher was limited to two points for Knox against Jimtown. Matt’s pick: Twin Lakes 47, Knox 35.
Valparaiso (4-10) at Washington (9-2): The Vikings recorded a 66-57 victory over Washington a year ago. Trent Kimes added nine points for Valparaiso against Penn. Kelin Webster amassed six points in the Panthers’ 96-53 loss to No. 1 (Class 3A) Saint Joseph. Matt’s pick: Washington 70, Valparaiso 53.