It was an average outing as I went 24-7 (77 percent) last week. Heading into the Christmas holiday, my overall record is now 79-16, which leaves me at 83 percent.
FRIDAY
Marian (5-2) at Martinsville (2-4): Freddie Williams chipped in two points in the Knights’ 72-50 win over Niles. Hunter Stroud poured in 23 points in the Artesians’ 63-53 win over Monrovia. Matt’s pick: Marian 56, Martinsville 52.
HARRISON (WEST LAFAYETTE)
Connersville (4-3) vs. Washington (4-1): The Panthers edged Connersville, 49-47, during the 2019-20 season. Zander McHenry recorded 11 points in the Spartans’ 44-35 loss to Richmond. Steven Reynolds racked up 20 points in Washington’s 78-67 win over Benton Harbor. Matt’s pick: Washington 58, Connersville 53.
Washington (5-1) vs. Harrison (West Lafayette) (6-2): The Raiders slipped past Washington, 58-53, during the 2022-23 campaign. Josh Johnson came up with three points in the Panthers’ 77-58 loss to No. 6 (Class 4A) Northridge. Ray Gibson’s 11 points were not enough in Harrison’s 55-33 loss to Zionsville. Matt’s pick: Washington 67, Harrison (West Lafayette) 64.
HEBRON
LaVille (3-3) vs. Tri-County (2-4): Travis Maldonado added two points in the Lancers’ 62-47 loss to No. 8 (Class 2A) Manchester. Tyler Burns registered 12 points in the Cavaliers’ 59-58 win over Seeger. Matt’s pick: LaVille 51, Tri-County 44.
Career Academy (0-6) vs. Hebron (3-3): The Hawks flew past Career Academy, 60-54, a year ago. Jaden Jackson ended with seven points in the Trailblazers’ 76-36 loss to Jimtown. Spencer Wynsma totaled 23 points in Hebron’s 85-56 loss to Morgan Township. Matt’s pick: Hebron 64, Carrer Academy 51.
HOMESTEAD
Hamilton Southeastern (3-3) vs. Saint Joseph (6-0): The Royals rolled by No. 1 (Class 3A) Saint Joseph, 82-38, in the 2022-23 campaign. Maverick Young accounted for 17 points in Hamilton Southeastern’s 65-49 loss to No. 1 and defending Class 4A state champion Fishers. Ethan Roseman ended with 12 points in the Huskies’ 92-27 win over Kalamazoo Loy Norrix. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 71, Hamilton Southeastern 57.
Penn (4-1) vs. Zionsville (4-4): The Kingsmen claimed a 58-51 win over Zionsville during the 2022-23 season. Tayshon Bardo accounted for two points in Penn’s 56-37 win over Chesterton. Jackson Tielker managed 12 points for the Eagles against Harrison (West Lafayette). Matt’s pick: Penn 50, Zionsville 46.
Penn (4-2) vs. Homestead (5-3): John Bedient’s 11 points lifted the Kingsmen to a 64-47 win over Michigan City. Jake Coolman paced the Spartans with 17 points in a 68-56 loss to No. 3 (Class 2A) Fort Wayne Bishop Luers. Matt’s pick: Homestead 51, Penn 50.
Saint Joseph (7-0) vs. Carroll (Fort Wayne) (3-5): The top-ranked Huskies downed Carroll, 68-65, a season ago. Nick Shrewsberry’s 21 points lifted Saint Joseph to an 85-44 win over Goshen. Tyler Morris had three points in the Chargers’ 51-43 loss to No. 4 (Class 4A) Warsaw. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 74, Carroll (Fort Wayne) 66.
LAPORTE
Northridge (7-0) vs. Logansport (2-5): Hayden Johnson mustered 10 points in the No. 6 (Class 4A) Raiders’ 70-33 win over Goshen. RJ Clem finished with 25 points in the Berries’ 89-68 loss to Maconaquah. Matt’s pick: Northridge 65, Logansport 54.
Goshen (3-4) vs. Munster (4-3): Karter Marcum amassed four points for the RedHawks against Northridge. Joshua Malloy netted 23 points in the Mustangs’ 60-49 win against Lake Central. Matt’s pick: Munster 46, Goshen 37,
NORTH CENTRAL (INDIANAPOLIS)
Riley (5-1) vs. Park Tudor (2-3): Marvin Schindler contributed 22 points in the Wildcats’ 68-53 win over Portage Central. KJ Mark tallied 15 points in the Panthers’ 56-43 win over Indianapolis Scecina. Matt’s pick: Riley 72, Park Tudor 60.
PLYMOUTH
Lewis Cass (1-6) vs. New Prairie (1-5): The Kings crowned New Prairie, 42-39, last season. Bryce Rudd accounted for seven points for Lewis Cass in a 61-53 loss to Peru. Andrew Evers scored three points in the Cougars’ 53-37 loss to Mishawaka. Matt’s pick: Lewis Cass 37, New Prairie 35.
Knox (0-5) vs. Plymouth (3-4): The Pilgrims posted a 67-53 win against Knox last year. Bryson Venice’s three points were not enough for the Redskins in their 34-19 loss to North Judson. Trey Delp had two points in Plymouth’s 68-61 loss to No. 7 (Class 3A) NorthWood. Matt’s pick: Plymouth 55, Knox 40.
SWITZERLAND COUNTY
Tippecanoe Valley (4-3) vs. Trinity Lutheran (3-4): William Mallott finished with six points in the Vikings; 58-41 win against Peru. Hudson Lang rolled up 10 points in the Cougars’ 52-51 win over Edinburgh. Matt’s pick: Tippecanoe Valley 53, Trinity Lutheran 48.
Cascade (3-3) vs. Tippecanoe Valley (5-3): Brady Trebley finished with 14 points in the Cadets’ 74-60 loss to Northview. Davis Cowan came up with eight points in the Vikings’ 52-33 win over Bremen. Matt’s pick: Tippecanoe Valley 42, Cascade 41.
SATURDAY
Marian (6-2) vs. Indianapolis Crispus Attucks (7-4) (Washington): Prescott Horvath managed 11 points in the Knights’ 59-56 win at Lake Central. Chris Hurt tallied 15 points in the No. 3 (Class 3A) Tigers’ 97-33 win over Indianapolis Herron. Matt’s pick: Crispus Attucks 77, Marian 64.
Wawasee (2-5) at Central Noble (1-5): The Cougars clawed their way to a 68-48 win against Wawasee a season ago. Weston Hoffert accounted for seven points in the Warriors’ 67-48 loss to No. 4 (Class 4A) Warsaw. Colt Kirkpatrick netted 12 points in Central Noble’s 51-48 double-overtime loss to defending Class 1A state champion Fort Wayne Canterbury. Matt’s pick: Wawasee 44, Central Noble 42.
EAST NOBLE
Garrett (7-1) vs. East Noble (1-4): The Knights crowned Garrett, 63-39, last year. Carter Coffman recorded 18 points in the Railroaders’ 51-47 win over Bluffton. Nathan Bowker exploded for 23 points in East Noble’s 60-50 overtime win over West Noble. Matt’s pick: Garrett 46, East Noble 41.
Glenn (1-6) vs. Anderson (5-1): Matt Pearish registered four points in the Falcons’ 38-28 loss to Wheeler. Damien King surpassed the 1,000-point mark for his career with 16 points in the No. 10 (Class 4A) Indians’ 79-63 win over Indianapolis Pike. Matt’s pick: Anderson 63, Glenn 40.
Consolation: East Noble (1-5) vs. Glenn (1-7): The Falcons picked up a 60-41 win over East Noble during the 2022-23 season. Matt’s pick: East Noble 45, Glenn 34.
Championship: Garrett (8-1) vs. Anderson (6-1): Matt’s pick: Anderson 79, Garrett 61.
ELKHART
Mishawaka (2-4) vs. Fort Wayne North (2-3): The Cavemen dropped a 66-49 decision to Fort Wayne North during the 1964-65 campaign. Le’Jordan Fowler mustered 12 points in Mishawaka’s 50-48 loss at Concord. Sebastian Moore poured in 24 points in the Legends’ 62-56 win over Lakeland. Matt’s pick: Fort Wayne North 54, Mishawaka 49.
Twin Lakes (6-3) vs. Elkhart (0-6): Kyle Kyser’s 12 points and six rebounds lifted the Indians to a 68-18 win over North White. Will Cochrane scored eight points in the Lions’ 58-56 loss to Mattawan. Matt’s pick: Twin Lakes 60, Elkhart 47.
Consolation: Mishawaka (2-5) vs. Twin Lakes (6-4): Matt’s pick: Twin Lakes 46, Mishawaka 43.
Championship; Fort Wayne North (3-3) vs. Elkhart (1-6): Matt’s pick: Fort Wayne North 60, Elkhart 55.
HALL OF FAME CLASSIC
Warsaw (6-0) vs. Fishers (7-0): The No. 4 (Class 4A) Tigers downed top-ranked and defending Class 4A state champion Fishers, 43-38, during the 2017-18 campaign. Robbie Finlinson notched 11 points in Warsaw’s 51-42 win over Carroll (Fort Wayne). Jason Gardner poured in 20 points in the Tigers’ 93-64 win over Indianapolis Shortridge. Matt’s pick: Fishers 81, Warsaw 71.
Greenfield-Central (6-1) vs. Jeffersonville (4-3): Braylon Mullins totaled 27 points and seven rebounds in the No. 3 (Class 4A) Cougars’ 74-44 win over Lawrenceburg. P.J. Douglas amassed 14 points and seven rebounds in the Red Devils’ 62-56 win over No. 3 (Class 3A) Crispus Attucks. Matt’s pick: Greenfield-Central 74, Jeffersonville 70.
Consolation: Warsaw (6-1) vs. Jeffersonville (4-4): Matt’s pick: Warsaw 61, Jeffersonville 59.
Championship: Fishers (8-0) vs. Greenfield-Central (7-1): Matt’s pick: Fishers 70, Greenfield-Central 64.
HARRISON (WEST LAFAYETTE)
Hobart (4-3) vs. Washington (6-1): Ryan Basham drained 13-of-16 free throws and finished with 18 points in the Brickies’ 63-59 overtime win against Lowell. Gabe Burgin ended with four points in the Panthers’ 66-63 win over LaPorte. Matt’s pick: Washington 71, Hobart 54.
HEBRON
Consolation: Tri-County (2-5) vs. Career Academy (0-7): The Trailblazers squeezed past Tri-County, 43-42, during the 2022-23 campaign. Riley Hughes chipped in nine points in the Cavaliers’ 58-37 loss to LaVille. With its 68-39 loss to Hebron, Career Academy has now dropped 11 straight contests dating back to last year. Matt’s pick: Tri-County 38, Career Academy 34.
Championship: LaVille (4-3) vs. Hebron (4-3): The Hawks soared to a 45-35 win over LaVille last year. Lance Edison contributed 13 points in the Lancers’ 75-39 win over Argos. Peter Socci’s 17 points pivoted Hebron past Career Academy. Matt’s pick: LaVille 40, Hebron 37.
HOMESTEAD
Penn (4-3) vs. East Chicago Central (7-5): The Kingsmen crowned East Chicago Central, 73-45, in the 2006 Class 4A regional semifinals. Lucas Obermeyer’s seven points were not enough in Penn’s 41-39 loss to Zionsville. Greg Williams had 10 points in the Cardinals’ 75-65 win over Merrillville. Matt’s pick: Penn 56, East Chicago Central 55.
Saint Joseph (8-0) vs. Valparaiso (4-5): The Vikings suffered a 68-66 loss to top-ranked (Class 3A) Saint Joseph during the 1968-69 season. Brashaun Woods’ four points lifted the Huskies to an 81-60 win at Lakeland. Trent Kines canned 18 points in Valparaiso’s 53-43 win over Hammond Bishop Noll. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 82, Valparaiso 65.
Consolation: Penn (4-4) vs. Hamilton Southeastern (5-4): Matt’s pick: Hamilton Southeastern 52, Penn 47.
Championship: Saint Joseph (9-0) vs. Zionsville (7-4): The Eagles flew past Saint Joseph, 72-70, last season. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 64, Zionsville 56
LAPORTE
McCutcheon (4-3) vs. Northridge (8-0): Brody Baker accounted for 22 points in the Mavericks’ 84-67 loss to Kokomo. Dylan Springer tallied six points in the No. 6 (Class 4A) Raiders’ 77-58 win over Washington. Matt’s pick: Northridge 77, McCutcheon 62.
Goshen (4-4) vs. LaPorte (6-3): The Slicers claimed a 60-46 win at Goshen a season ago. Evan Timmons racked up four points in the RedHawks’ 55-49 win over Munster. Sawyer Tonagel registered 14 points in LaPorte’s 59-58 win over Hanover Central. Matt’s pick: LaPorte 63, Goshen 59.
Consolation: McCutcheon (4-4) vs. Goshen (4-5): Matt’s pick: Goshen 57, McCutcheon 56.
Championship: Northridge (9-0) vs. LaPorte (7-3): The Raiders edged LaPorte, 66-60, a year ago. Matt’s pick: Northridge 75, LaPorte 64.
NORTH CENTRAL (INDIANAPOLIS)
Riley (6-1) vs. Indianapolis Pike (4-3): Brandon Williams netted nine points in the Wildcats’ 71-44 win over Plymouth. Ian Macon’s 18 points vaulted the Red Devils to a 66-56 win over Brownsburg. Matt’s pick: Riley 83, Pike 76.
PLYMOUTH
Consolation: Lewis Cass (1-7) vs. Knox (0-6): Kolten Young chipped in eight points in the Kings’ 51-50 win over Madison-Grant. Kohl Jordan contributed three points in the Redskins’ 56-26 loss to Morgan Township. Matt’s pick: Lewis Cass 33, Knox 30.
Championship: New Prairie (2-5) vs. Plymouth (4-4): The Pilgrims earned a 52-41 win at New Prairie during the 2022-23 season. Jagger Daniels had 15 points in the Cougars’ 56-49 win over Lewis Cass. Kadym Ellery came up with 14 points and 15 rebounds in Plymouth’s 43-32 win over Wabash. Matt’s pick: Plymouth 59, New Prairie 45.
SWITZERLAND COUNTY
Hauser (6-1) vs. Tippecanoe Valley (6-3): Collin Buck ended with 15 points in the Jets’ 70-29 win over Edinburgh. Owen Omandi totaled three points in the Vikings’ 54-42 loss to No. 8 (Class 2A) Manchester. Matt’s pick: Hauser 53, Tippecanoe Valley 51.