For the 14th straight season, I will try my hand at picking high school boys’ basketball games, looking to improve on my 75 percent finish a year ago. During the regular season, I will focus on Northern Indiana and Northern Lakes Conference contests. Records are final 2023-24 season unless indicated.
TUESDAY
Elkhart (3-20) at Northridge (18-6): The Raiders rolled to an 83-60 win over Elkhart a year ago. Frankie Willis averaged 6.5 points per game for the Lions last season. Mason Bales tallied 15 points a contest for Northridge. Matt’s pick: Northridge 71, Elkhart 56.
Elkhart Christian (17-10) at Concord (18-5): The Minutemen downed Elkhart Christian, 80-64, during the 2016-17 campaign. Kian Hibbard chipped in eight points a year ago for the Eagles. Lucas Prough finished with 8.9 points a game for Concord. Matt’s pick: Concord 59, Elkhart Christian 52.
Fairfield (20-7) at Wawasee (8-15): The Warriors slipped past Fairfield, 47-43, last season. Former Fairfield girls coach Brodie Garber replaces Derek Hinen. Cole Knight came up with 3.3 points per game for the Falcons. Weston Hoffer returns to the court for Wawasee. Matt’s pick: Wawasee 43, Fairfield 40.
Fort Wayne Blackhawk (22-7) at Marian (17-9): The Braves were a 70-54 winner over Marian last year. Kellen Pickett totaled 20.5 points and 11.9 rebounds per game for Blackhawk. Deuce Owens ended with 12.7 points a contest for the Knights. Matt’s pick: Fort Wayne Blackhawk 64, Marian 54.
LaPorte (10-14) at Riley (21-5): The Wildcats clawed past LaPorte, 81-51, a season ago. Nic Spence managed 11.2 points a contest for the Slicers. Jaylen Barbara notched 6.2 points per game for Riley. Matt’s pick; Riley 80, LaPorte 62.
WEDNESDAY
Glenn (13-14) at Plymouth (8-15): The Pilgrims posted a 59-43 win over Glenn in their previous meeting. John DuPont replaces Travis Hannah at Glenn, while Greg Miller takes over for Joel Grindle at Plymouth. Joe Divine mustered 2.4 points a game for the Falcons. Kadyn Ellery accounted for 12.7 points per contest for the Pilgrims. Matt’s pick: Plymouth 53, Glenn 41.
SATURDAY
Adams (9-15) at LaPorte (0-1): The Eagles posted a 69-52 victory against LaPorte during the 2020-21 season. Jarvis Tolbert paved the way for Adams with 18.8 points and 6.2 rebounds a contest. Sawyer Tonagel chipped in 18 points in the Slicers’ 75-59 loss to Riley. Matt’s pick: Adams 68, LaPorte 58.
Elkhart (0-1) at Chesterton (16-10): The Trojans cruised to a 72-47 win over Elkhart a season ago. Alonzo Newbern came up with 19 points in the Lions’ 81-41 loss to Northridge. Jaylon Watts is one of the top returners for Chesterton. Matt’s pick: Chesterton 60, Elkhart 43.
Fort Wayne Concordia (0-1) at NorthWood (15-9): The Cadets marched past NorthWood, 50-35, a year ago. Concordia opened its 2024-25 campaign with a 57-42 setback to Leo. Tyler Raasch contributed 15 points and eight rebounds per game for the Panthers. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 61, Fort Wayne Concordia 52.
Goshen (10-13) at Fairfield (1-0): The RedHawks downed Fairfield, 59-51, last season. Levi Sawatzky chipped in 14.8 points a contest for Goshen. Cole Knight poured in 25 points in the Falcons’ 46-43 win over Wawasee. Matt’s pick: Goshen 57, Fairfield 54.
New Prairie (4-19) at Glenn (0-1): The Falcons soared to a 67-46 win against New Prairie in their previous meeting. Jaydon Clemons averaged 4.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per contest for the Cougars. Jude Nicks’ four points was not enough for Glenn against Plymouth. Matt’s pick: Glenn 42, New Prairie 39.
Northridge (1-0) at Westview (1-0): The Raiders managed a 65-54 win over Westview during the 2023-24 season. Brady Scholl netted 22 points for Northridge against Elkhart. Daniel Yoder tallied 21 points in the Warriors’ 76-55 win over Bethany Christian. Matt’s pick: Northridge 72, Westview 67.
Penn (18-7) at Carroll (Fort Wayne) (1-0): The Kingsmen crowned Carroll, 72-66, a year ago. Ethan Good contributed 3.7 points a game for Penn. Paxton Crane paced the Chargers with 20 points in their 58-30 win over Norwell. Matt’s pick: Carroll 63, Penn 57.
Plymouth (1-0) at Bremen (1-0): The Lions are looking to avenge an 89-36 loss to Plymouth during the 2014-15 season. Trenton VanDuyne totaled 17 points in the Pilgrims’ 66-34 win over Glenn. Ty Graverson finished with 19 points in Bremen’s 65-43 win over Argos. Matt’s pick: Plymouth 56, Bremen 54
Washington (10-13) at Lake Central (18-4): The Indians claimed a 54-48 win over Washington last year. Da’Kori Parker amassed 15.2 points per game for the Panthers. Zach Greene will be counted on to contribute for Lake Central. Matt’s pick: Washington 65, Lake Central 61.
Wawasee (0-1) at Angola (8-16): The Warriors needed overtime to come away with a 64-62 win against Angola a season ago. Nolan Holzwart ended with 15 points for Wawasee against Fairfield. Ryan Stuckey added 5.7 points a contest for the Hornets. Matt’s pick: Wawasee 44, Angola 41.
