Things went better this week as I posted a 17-5 (77 percent) record. My overall record is now 103-38, which is good for 73 percent.
TUESDAY
Elkhart Christian (5-5) at Goshen (9-0): The No. 8 (Class 4A) RedHawks soared to a 52-35 win over Elkhart Christian last season. Reid Hoober added 10 points in the Eagles’ 50-42 loss to Fort Wayne Canterbury. Karter Marcum chipped in four points and seven rebounds in Goshen’s 66-46 win over Concord. Matt’s pick: Goshen 60, Elkhart Christian 47.
LaPorte (9-3) at Adams (10-0): The Eagles downed LaPorte, 56-49, a year ago. Destin Matzke racked up 10 points in the Slicers’ 60-56 overtime loss to Lake Central. Carter Johnson totaled 10 points in Adams’ 85-55 win over Washington. Matt’s pick: Adams 64, LaPorte 54.
Mishawaka (5-4) at Riley (7-3): The Wildcats clawed past Mishawaka, 62-40, in the 2025 Class 4A sectional quarterfinals. Kamdon Putz accounted for three points in the Cavemen’s 59-41 win over Career Academy. Tree Johnson came up with eight points in Riley’s 70-58 loss to Saint Joseph. Matt’s pick: Riley 71, Mishawaka 52.
FRIDAY
Concord (2-7, 0-2 NLC) at Plymouth (3-9, 0-2 NLC): The Minutemen cruised to a 63-26 win over Plymouth last year. Carson Weirich produced eight points and 15 rebounds in Concord’s 53-40 win over New Prairie. Parker Bagley came up with two points in the Rockies’ 51-41 win over Argos. Matt’s pick: Concord 51, Plymouth 46.
Elkhart (5-5, 0-1 NIC) at Marian (6-4, 1-0 NIC): The Knights slipped past Elkhart, 61-56, a year ago. Bray Lee finished with five points in the Lions’ 65-38 loss to Penn. Eric Unwin’s two points helped Marian to a 53-18 win over New Prairie. Matt’s pick: Marian 65, Elkhart 60.
Goshen (10-0, 2-0 NLC) at Warsaw (5-6, 0-2 NLC): The Tigers roared to a 59-51 win over No. 8 Goshen in last season’s Class 4A sectional semifinals. Evan Timmons chipped in nine points in the RedHawks’ 48-41 win over Elkhart Christian. Nash Wiggins contributed three points in Warsaw’s 48-30 loss to No. 9 (Class 4A) Northridge. Matt’s pick: Goshen 44, Warsaw 41.
Mishawaka (5-5, 2-0 NLC) at Wawasee (9-4, 1-1 NLC): The Cavemen squeezed by Wawasee, 40-37, a year ago. Kayden Delgado mustered two points in Mishawaka’s 62-48 loss to Riley. Davis Cowan accounted for six points in the Warriors’ 43-38 win over Prairie Heights. Matt’s pick: Wawasee 47. Mishawaka 42.
New Prairie (3-7, 0-1 NIC) at Penn (8-2, 1-0 NIC): The Kingsmen crowned New Prairie, 73-49, a season ago. Christian Bonner notched eight points in Penn’s 64-49 win over Valparaiso. The Cougars were limited to four points in the first quarter against Marian. Matt’s pick: Penn 62, New Prairie 43.
Northridge (10-1, 1-1 NLC) at NorthWood (5-8, 2-0 NLC): The Panthers downed No. 9 (Class 4A) Northridge, 50-46, a season ago. Jake Scholl finished with seven points for the Raiders against Warsaw. Caleb Vincent tallied four points in NorthWood’s 32-30 double-overtime win at Wawasee. Matt’s pick: Northridge 50, NorthWood 43.
Saint Joseph (7-4, 1-0 NIC) at Washington (1-7, 0-1 NIC): The Huskies downed Washington, 85-69, in last year’s Class 3A sectional quarterfinals. Braylen White’s nine points were not enough in Saint Joseph’s 78-56 loss to top-ranked (Class 3A) Silver Creek. Rodney Milligan finished with three points for the Panthers against Adams. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 72, Washington 52.