Things didn’t improve much as I went 16-7 (70 percent) last week. Heading into the final month of the regular season, my overall record stands at 164-55, which has me at 75 percent for the year.
JANUARY 30
Benton Harbor (12-1) at Clay (1-13): Carlos Brown scored 19 points in the Michigan-based Tigers’ 82-38 win over Niles. Omari Beechem had five points in the Colonials; 57-46 loss to Northridge. Matt’s pick: Benton Harbor 75, Clay 61.
Elkhart Christian (12-3) at Jimtown (3-11): The Jimmies coasted to a 59-43 win over Elkhart Christian last season. Jon Burns netted 10 points in the Eagles’ 46-25 win over Triton. Bill Pawlak tallied six points in Jimtown’s 44-41 win over Bremen. Matt’s pick: Elkhart Christian 52, Jintown 44.
FEBRUARY 1
Bremen (4-11, 0-7 NIC) at Clay (1-14, 0-8 NIC): The Lions slipped past Clay, 53-51, a year ago. David Slos netted five points for Bremen against Jimtown. Allan Prestly scored 15 points in the Colonials’ 88-58 loss to Benton Harbor. Matt’s pick: Clay 55, Bremen 50.
Elkhart Central (5-10, 2-5 NIC) at Jimtown (3-12, 1-7 NIC): The Jimmies dropped a 60-41 decision to Elkhart Central last season. Adrean Sims finished with six points in the Blazers’ 57-41 loss at Warsaw. Caaden Beck tallied seven points for Jimtown in a 56-30 loss to Elkhart Christian. Matt’s pick: Elkhart Central 61, Jimtown 48.
Glenn (12-4, 7-1 NIC) at Adams (7-8, 2-4 NIC): The Eagles soared to a 74-65 win over Glenn last year. Khori Barker recorded eight points in the Falcons’ 54-46 win over New Prairie. Shakell Johnson racked up 10 points in Adams’ 60-43 win at Jimtown. Matt’s pick: Adams 69, Glenn 65.
Mishawaka (9-6, 5-2 NIC) at Washington (11-6, 5-2 NIC): The Cavemen downed Washington, 53-50, a season ago. Tre Jeffries netted 16 points for Mishawaka in a 49-48 loss to Plymouth. Tony Stuckey was held to two points in the Panthers’ 46-42 loss at Glenn. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 57, Washington 56.
New Prairie (7-7, 2-4 NIC) at Saint Joseph (10-6, 6-2 NIC): The Indians were a 42-37 winner over New Prairie in their last meeting. Michael Klemczak contributed eight points in the Cougars’ 51-37 win against South Central. Adam O’Dell chipped in six points in Saint Joe’s 73-71 win at Washington. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 59, New Prairie 53.
NorthWood (8-5, 2-3 NLC) at Concord (6-9, 2-3 NLC): The Panthers squeezed by Concord, 43-42, a year ago. Caleb Lung managed only seven points in Northwood’s 42-35 loss to Warsaw. Grant Magnuson rolled up 16 points for the Minutemen in a 52-49 win over LaPorte. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 48, Concord 42.
Plymouth (11-6, 3-2 NLC) at Goshen (7-8, 2-3 NLC): The RedHawks dropped a 68-55 contest to Plymouth a season ago. Benji Nixon had eight points for the Pilgrims against Mishawaka. Will Line poured in 22 points in Goshen’s 72-64 win at Penn. Matt’s pick: Plymouth 56, Goshen 54.
Riley (16-0, 7-0 NIC) at Penn (8-6, 4-3 NIC): The No. 2 (Class 4A) Wildcats racked up a 78-69 win over Penn last year. Trevor Fortune compiled 10 points in Riley’s 100-46 win at Clay. Noah Applegate netted 19 points for the Kingsmen against Goshen. Matt’s pick: Riley 75, Penn 67.
Warsaw (10-7, 4-1 NLC) at Elkhart Memorial (7-8, 3-2 NLC): The Tigers cruised to a 63-49 win over Elkhart Memorial last season. Kaylen Reese had eight points for Warsaw against Elkhart Central. Hank Smith was limited to eight points in the Chargers’ 53-51 loss to Goshen. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 45, Elkhart Memorial 41.
Wawasee (4-12, 1-4 NLC) at Northridge (7-7, 3-2 NLC): The Raiders soared to a 67-51 win over Wawasee a year ago. Jacob Hand hauled down eight rebounds in the Warriors’ 33-30 overtime loss to Concord. Micah Yoder chipped in two points for Northridge in a 53-29 loss at Plymouth. Matt’s pick: Northridge 44, Wawasee 35.