More progress was made as I went 14-3 (82 percent) last week. My overall record is now 117-41, which has me at 74 percent for the season.
TUESDAY
Elkhart (5-6) at Michigan City (8-5): The Wolves roared past Elkhart, 66-61, a year ago. Alonzo Newbern’s four points were not enough in the Lions’ 59-45 loss at Marian. Isaiah Smoot poured in 11 points in Michigan City’s 74-63 win over Adams. Matt’s pick: Michigan City 68, Elkhart 54.
Jimtown (8-3) at Concord (3-8): The Minutemen marched past Jimtown, 60-45, last season. Jackson Woolwine’s 20 points spearheaded the Jimmies to a 51-43 win over Tippecanoe Valley. Brennen Sheely had two points in Concord’s 81-42 loss to Saint Joseph. Matt’s pick: Jimtown 43, Concord 40.
Marian (8-4) at Culver Academy (6-3): The Knights crowned Culver Academy, 53-44, a season ago. Andre Wells poured in 30 points for Marian against Elkhart. Andrew Oliver-Overmyer rolled up 23 points in the Eagles’ 59-45 win over Berrien Springs. Matt’s pick: Marian 58, Culver Academy 51.
Penn (9-2) at Northridge (11-1): The No. 8 (Class 4A) Raiders earned a 63-54 win over Penn last year. Mikale Price managed nine points in Penn’s 71-46 win over New Prairie. Hayden Johnson contributed six points in Northridge’s 56-43 win at NorthWood. Matt’s pick: Northridge 69, Penn 64.
Saint Joseph (9-4) at NorthWood (5-9): The Huskies clawed their way to a 72-60 win against NorthWood during the 2024-25 campaign. Nick Shrewsberry recorded 28 points for Saint Joseph against Concord. Davis Everingham ended with two points for the Panthers against Northridge. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 72, NorthWood 56.
Tippecanoe Valley (4-9) at Goshen (10-1): Owen Omandi racked up 13 points in the Vikings’ 61-37 loss to Bremen. Ryen Diaz closed with nine points in the No. 10 (Class 4A) RedHawks’ 49-41 overtime loss at Warsaw. Matt’s pick: Goshen 61, Tippecanoe Valley 50.
EVERWISE BI-COUNTY TOURNAMENT
Culver (2-9) at Glenn (3-11): The Falcons soared past Culver, 41-27, last year. Caleb McCuen accounted for 13 points in the Cavaliers’ 52-28 loss to Caston. Archer Rust netted 10 points in Glenn’s 57-40 loss to No. 7 (Class 1A) Triton. Matt’s pick: Glenn 38, Culver 35.
Argos (2-10) at Oregon-Davis (1-10): The Dragons claimed a 53-40 win over Oregon-Davis on January 16. Mack Calhoun canned 10 points for Argos in a 63-44 loss to North Miami. The Bobcats’ losing streak reached seven games with their setback to Argos. Matt’s pick: Argos 41, Oregon-Davis 32.
Bremen (10-0) at New Prairie (3-8): The No. 9 (Class 2A) Lions posted a 53-47 win against New Prairie last season. Riley Tener managed six points in Bremen’s 62-34 win over Bethany Christian. Evan Chelminiak finished with nine points for the Cougars against Penn. Matt’s pick: Bremen 60, New Prairie 48.
Triton (9-2) at LaVille (8-5): The No. 7 (Class 1A) Trojans needed overtime to come a 41-37 win over LaVille on January 6. Julian Swanson’s 17 points were not enough in Triton’s 65-50 loss to No. 1 (Class 1A) Kouts. Ryan Maenhout added nine points in the Lancers’ 48-32 win over Elkhart Christian. Matt’s pick: Triton 52, LaVille 49.
WEDNESDAY
Riley (10-3) at Career Academy (7-8): The Trailblazers suffered a 109-48 loss to Riley a season ago. Kelin Webster tossed in 21 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in the Wildcats’ 73-56 win over Evansville Bosse. In its 45-40 win over South Newton, Career Academy surrendered just six points in the second quarter. Matt’s pick: Riley 82, Career Academy 55.
FRIDAY
Elkhart (5-7, 0-2 NIC) at Adams (10-2, 1-0 NIC): The Lions needed overtime to earn a 61-57 win over Adams last year. Samarcus Gipson’s 11 points were not enough in Elkhart’s 90-45 loss to Michigan City. Michael Georgia was limited to three points in the Eagles’ 74-63 loss to Michigan City. Matt’s pick: Adams 63, Elkhart 53.
Mishawaka (5-7, 2-1 NLC) at Northridge (12-1, 2-1 NLC): The No. 8 (Class 4A) Raiders rolled to an 83-44 win at Mishawaka a season ago. Trea Echols finished with six points in the Cavemen’s 76-59 loss to LaPorte. Thad Campbell notched two points in Northridge’s 47-36 win over Penn. Matt’s pick: Northridge 69, Mishawaka 52.
NorthWood (5-10, 1-2 NLC) at Goshen (11-1, 2-1 NLC): The Panthers pounded No. 10 (Class 4A) Goshen, 62-43, last season. Mason Pearson chipped in 13 points in NorthWood’s 32-30 double-overtime win at Wawasee. Trenton Clark’s seven points helped the RedHawks to a 59-47 win over Tippecanoe Valley. Matt’s pick: Goshen 50, NorthWood 45.
Warsaw (6-7, 1-2 NLC) at Concord (4-8, 1-2 NLC): The Tigers eliminated Concord, 44-30, in the 2025 Class 4A Elkhart Sectional quarterfinals. Sam Lara’s career-high 22 points were not enough in Warsaw’s 61-56 loss to No. 3 (Class 3A) Columbia City. Reese Breveard poured in 12 points in the Minutemen’s 66-51 win over Jimtown. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 44, Concord 41.
Wawasee (10-4, 2-1 NLC) at Plymouth (3-10, 0-3 NLC): The Pilgrims cruised to a 60-35 win over Wawasee during the 2024-25 campaign. Davis Cowan totaled three points in the Warriors’ 64-52 win over Mishawaka. Dan Nguyen racked up 11 points in Plymouth’s 43-39 loss to Concord. Matt’s pick: Wawasee 58, Plymouth 47.
EVERWISE BI-COUNTY TOURNAMENT
CONSOLATION
Glenn (3-11) vs. Argos (2-11): The Dragons raced past Glenn, 61-51, last year. Grant Romer tossed in three points in the Falcons’ 58-48 loss to Culver. Zhayne Hellums contributed seven points for Argos in a 47-45 loss to Oregon-Davis. Matt’s pick: Argos 40, Glenn 34.
New Prairie (3-9) vs. LaVille (9-6): The Lancers claimed a 64-37 win over New Prairie a season ago. The Cougars suffered their fifth straight setback with a 52-49 loss to No. 9 (Class 2A) Bremen. Aaron Keb mustered four points in LaVille’s 66-45 loss to No. 7 (Class 1A) Triton. Matt’s pick: LaVille 55, New Prairie 48.
SEMIFINALS
Culver (3-9) vs. Oregon-Davis (2-10): The Bobcats roared past Culver, 36-33, a year ago. John Carr ended with 13 points for the Cavaliers against Glenn. Oregon-Davis snapped a six-game losing streak with its win over Argos. Matt’s pick: Culver 42, Oregon-Davis 36.
Bremen (11-0) vs. Triton (10-2): The No. 9 (Class 2A) Lions recorded a 49-43 win against No. 7 (Class 1A) Triton last season. Bryce Miller contributed 15 points for Bremen against New Prairie. Brady Wood amassed 18 points for the Trojans against LaVille. Matt’s pick: Bremen 57, Triton 56.
SATURDAY
Garrett (3-9) at Warsaw (7-7): Carter Coffman amassed 10 points in the Railroaders’ 66-32 loss to No. 3 (Class 2A) Westview. Mydin Burgher finished with 22 points in the Tigers’ 56-51 win at Concord. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 61, Garrett 49.
Penn (9-3) at Fort Wayne Wayne (9-5): The Kingsmen edged Fort Wayne Wayne, 67-66, in their last matchup. Mi’Kell Burton totaled seven points for Penn against Northridge. Uriah Williams added 15 points in the Generals’ 69-57 win over Norwell. Matt’s pick: Penn 55, Fort Wayne Wayne 51.
Trinity Academy (5-7) at Mishawaka (5-8): The Titans were held to eight points in the fourth quarter in their 49-45 loss to Elkhart Christian. The Cavemen’s losing streak reached four games with an 81-40 setback at No. 8 (Class 4A) Northridge. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 53, Trinity Academy 47.
Washington (1-9) at Jimtown (8-4): The Panthers pounded Jimtown, 82-58, last year. Jaydon Lineberry finished with 11 points in Washington’s 101-45 loss to Saint Joseph. Dominic Fey contributed 22 points for the Jimmies against Concord. Matt’s pick: Jimtown 61, Washington 46.
EVERWISE BI-COUNTY TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP
Culver (4-9) vs. Bremen (12-0): The No. 9 (Class 2A) Lions cruised to a 62-19 win over Culver last season. Jordan Green’s 15 points vaulted the Cavaliers to a 52-42 win over Oregon-Davis. Maddux Hickman contributed three points in Bremen’s 47-42 win over No. 7 (Class 1A) Triton. Matt’s pick: Bremen 68, Culver 48.