I went 20-2 (91 percent) last week, so my overall record is now 175-38, which has me at 82 percent for the season.
TUESDAY
Concord (8-4) at Jimtown (7-5): The Minutemen downed Jimtown, 45-30, a season ago. Noah Culp knocked down a pair of free throws in Concord’s 63-26 win over Plymouth. Will Spurgeon added eight points in the Jimmies’ 63-35 win over South Central. Matt’s pick: Concord 50, Jimtown 45.
Michigan City (6-6) at Elkhart (3-9): Anthony Murphy paved the way with 16 points in the Wolves’ 42-41 win against Valparaiso. Alexander Hamilton mustered one point for the Lions against Marian. Matt’s pick: Michigan City 64. Elkhart 61.
WEDNESDAY
Andrean (7-5) at Adams (8-4): The 59ers earned a 62-46 win over Adams during the 2022-23 campaign. Paul Gilvydis poured in 24 points in Andrean’s 64-63 win over Illiana Christian. Kalen Allen ended with two points in the Eagles’ 70-51 loss to Riley. Matt’s pick: Adams 56, Andrean 51.
Culver Academy (6-3) at Marian (9-5): The Knights earned a 35-24 win over Culver Academy last year. Luka Paic came up with 16 points in the Eagles’ 74-65 win at Jimtown. Braxton Brooks contributed two points in Marian’s 61-56 win at Elkhart. Matt’s pick: Marian 47, Culver Academy 44.
EVERWISE BI-COUNTY TOURNAMENT
Culver (1-10) at Triton (9-1): The No. 5 (Class 1A) Trojans cruised to a 72-16 win over Culver on January 17. John Carr recorded seven points for the Cavaliers against Triton. Dante Workman amassed nine points in Triton’s 64-31 win over Glenn. Matt’s pick: Triton 66, Culver 40.
Glenn (1-11) at Argos (2-9): The Falcons soared to a 72-52 win over Argos in last year’s Bi-County opener. Kade Lang accounted for 16 points in Glenn’s 50-43 loss to Morgan Township. Mack Calhoun chipped in 14 points in the Dragons’ 67-63 loss to North Miami. Matt’s pick: Argos 41, Glenn 34.
Oregon-Davis (0-12) at Bremen (7-6): The Lions roared past Oregon-Davis, 62-46, last season. DJ Garland finished with 18 points in the Bobcats’ 40-37 loss to Argos. Silas Laidig’s 10 points lifted Bremen to a 57-39 win over Elkhart Christian. Matt’s pick: Bremen 52, Oregon-Davis 31.
New Prairie (2-9) at LaVille (7-5): The Lancers claimed a 47-44 win over New Prairie in the 2019 Bi-County semifinals. Dylan Bishop’s 10 points were not enough for the Cougars in their 73-49 loss against Penn. Ryan Maenhout ended with six points in LaVille’s 50-40 win over Elkhart Christian. Matt’s pick: LaVille 55, New Prairie 33.
THURSDAY
Mishawaka (4-8) at Career Academy (1-11): The Trailblazers suffered an 81-36 loss to Mishawaka in their last meeting. Isaiah Evans came up with 10 points in the Cavemen’s 59-58 loss at LaPorte. Career Academy snapped its 15-game losing streak with a 70-50 triumph over Hamilton. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 62, Career Academy 42.
FRIDAY
Adams (8-5, 0-2 NIC) at Elkhart (3-10, 0-2 NIC): The Eagles flew past Elkhart, 51-40, a year ago. Drew Dixon’s 15 points were not enough in Adams’ 77-44 loss to Andrean. Samarcus Gipson managed two points in the Lions’ 66-61 loss to Michigan City. Matt’s pick: Adams 60, Elkhart 53.
Concord (9-4, 2-1 NLC) at Warsaw (12-3, 3-0 NLC): The No. 6 (Class 4A) Tigers recorded a 48-35 win over Concord in the 2024 Class 4A Elkhart Sectional semifinals. Cam Bonds racked up 13 points in the Minutemen’s 60-45 win over Jimtown. Robbie Finlinson chipped in 10 points in Warsaw’s 62-42 win at Goshen. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 62, Concord 57.
Goshen (7-6, 1-2 NLC) at NorthWood (13-1, 3-0 NLC): The RedHawks dropped a 48-39 decision to No. 4 (Class 3A) NorthWood last year. Damarian Axell’s 13 points was not enough for Goshen against Warsaw. Collin Deatsman tallied seven points in the Panthers’ 50-46 win against Northridge. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 65, Goshen 49.
Northridge (10-2, 1-2 NLC) at Mishawaka (5-8, 1-2 NLC): The Cavemen racked up a 40-31 win over Northridge a season ago. Hayden Johnson canned nine points for the Raiders against NorthWood. Kamden Putz amassed four points in Mishawaka’s 61-39 loss at Plymouth. Matt’s pick: Northridge 58, Mishawaka 47.
Plymouth (7-6, 1-2 NLC) at Wawasee (4-9, 0-3 NLC): The Pilgrims came away with a 49-44 win against Wawasee last season. Brayden Miller accounted for four points for the Warriors in their 40-37 loss against Mishawaka. Dan Nguyen was limited to two points for Plymouth against Concord. Matt’s pick: Plymouth 53, Wawasee 43.
Riley (10-3, 1-1 NIC) at Marian (10-5, 2-0 NIC): The Knights are looking to make amends for a 52-49 loss to Riley a year ago. Muri Jackson had one point for the Wildcats against Adams. Deuce Owens’ 17 points lifted Marian to a 53-44 win over Culver Academy. Matt’s pick: Riley 75, Marian 70.
Saint Joseph (12-1, 2-0 NIC) at Penn (7-6, 2-0 NIC): The Kingsmen rallied for a 55-46 win over top-ranked (Class 3A) Saint Joseph during the 2023-24 campaign. Ryder Place finished with three points in the Huskies’ 96-53 win over Washington. Christian Bonner totaled three points for Penn against New Prairie. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 64, Penn 57.
EVERWISE BI-COUNTY TOURNAMENT
CONSOLATION
Culver (1-11) vs. Glenn (1-12): The Cavaliers dropped a 64-46 decision to Glenn during the 2021-22 campaign. Jonas McCuen recorded two points in Culver’s 59-11 loss to Triton. Joe Divine’s 10 points were not enough in the Falcons’ 61-51 loss to Argos. Matt’s pick: Glenn 36, Culver 30.
Oregon-Davis (0-13) vs. New Prairie (2-10): The Cougars edged Oregon-Davis, 51-45, on December 17. The Bobcats were outscored 21-7 in the third quarter in a 69-29 loss to Bremen. Andrew Evers racked up seven points in New Prairie’s 64-37 loss to LaVille. Matt’s pick: New Prairie 41, Oregon-Davis 34.
SEMIFINALS
Triton (10-1) vs. Argos (3-9): The No. 5 (Class 1A) Trojans marched past Argos, 59-45, last year. Gage Riffle registered seven points for Triton against Culver. Mack Calhoun contributed six points for the Dragons against Glenn. Matt’s pick: Triton 57, Argos 42.
Bremen (8-6) vs. LaVille (8-5): The Lions slipped past LaVille, 65-60, on January 10. Riley Tener accounted for 14 points for Bremen against Oregon-Davis. Aaron Keb added three points for the Lancers against New Prairie. Matt’s pick: LaVille 46, Bremen 45.