Some progress was made as I went 13-3 (81 percent) this past week. Heading into the homestretch of the regular season, my overall record is 177-58, which keeps me at 75 percent for the year.
FEBRUARY 6
Adams (8-9, 3-4 NIC) at Saint Joseph (11-6, 7-2 NIC): The Eagles escaped with a 53-50 win over Saint Joe a year ago. Rico Swanson netted nine points for Adams in a 62-57 loss at Michigan City. Brady Powers tallied 14 points in the Indians’ 57-40 win over New Prairie. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 57, Adams 54.
Clay (2-14, 1-8 NIC) at Elkhart Central (7-10, 3-5 NIC): The Blazers edged Clay, 71-70, last season. Brayden Sexton poured in 15 points for the Colonials in their 78-57 win over Bremen. Olazurus Miller scored six points in Elkhart Central’s 50-32 win over Jimtown. Matt’s pick: Elkhart Central 65, Clay 55.
Jimtown (3-14, 1-8 NIC) at Marian (12-3, 6-2 NIC): The Jimmies dropped a 67-44 contest to Marian a season ago. Clay Campbell managed just five points in Jimtown’s 60-47 loss to Northridge. R.J. Decker recorded eight points in the Knights’ 68-47 win over Elkhart Memorial. Matt’s pick: Marian 70, Jimtown 51.
Lakeland (11-7) at Goshen (7-9): The RedHawks were a 51-39 winner over Lakeland in their last meeting. Cole Harp racked up 12 points in the Lakers’ 54-30 victory over Wawasee. Joe Good was limited to five points in Goshen’s 44-32 loss to Plymouth. Matt’s pick: Goshen 53, Lakeland 50.
New Prairie (7-8, 2-5 NIC) at Mishawaka (9-7, 5-3 NIC): The Cougars downed Mishawaka, 54-44, last year. Cade Boniface contributed seven points in New Prairie’s 44-40 loss to Oregon-Davis. John Binion finished with 12 points for the Cavemen in a 59-42 loss at Washington. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 61, New Prairie 52.
Penn (8-7, 4-4 NIC) at Bremen (4-12, 0-8 NIC): The Lions came up on the short end of a 66-37 decision to Penn a season ago. Noah Krathwohl managed just two points in Penn’s 63-43 loss to Riley. Justin Zumbrun recorded seven points for Bremen against Clay. Matt’s pick: Penn 66, Bremen 49.
Washington (12-6, 6-2 NIC) at Riley (17-0, 8-0 NIC): The No. 2 (Class 4A) Wildcats posted a 64-59 win at Washington last season. Tony Stuckey netted 13 points for the Panthers in a 62-58 loss at Crown Point. Brayton Giden had three points for Riley against Penn. Matt’s pick: Riley 76, Washington 64.
West Noble (8-8) at NorthWood (9-5) The Panthers clawed their way to a 77-44 win over West Noble during the 2016-17 campaign. Nick Knepper tallied six points for the Chargers in a 68-58 loss to No. 5 (Class 2A) LaVille. Ben Vincent netted three points in NorthWood’s 52-24 win over Concord. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 52, West Noble 40.
FEBRUARY 10
Bethany Christian (3-14) at NorthWood (10-5): The Panthers rolled to a 69-48 win over Bethany Christian last year. Evan Brown netted four points for the Bruins in their 60-29 loss to Fairfield. Brad Delio recorded 11 points in NorthWood’s 59-34 win over West Noble. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 64, Bethany Christian 45.
Bremen (4-13, 0-9 NIC) at Washington (12-7, 6-3 NIC): The Lions suffered a 60-57 loss to Washington a year ago. David Slos was limited to just two points in Bremen’s 79-38 loss to Penn. Demarcus Vaughn tallied 14 points in the Panthers’ 79-65 loss to No. 2 (Class 4A) Riley. Matt’s pick: Washington 69, Bremen 48.
Goshen (7-10, 2-4 NLC) at Wawasee (4-13, 1-5 NLC): The RedHawks escaped with a 42-41 win against Wawasee a season ago. Porter Revoir tallied 10 points in Goshen’s 62-60 loss to Lakeland. Trevon Coleman scored 17 points for the Warriors in a 47-37 loss to Northridge. Matt’s pick: Goshen 43, Wawasee 40.
Indianapolis Cathedral (17-2) at Riley (18-0): Armaan Franklin poured in 20 points for the No. 7 (Class 4A) Irish in their 63-51 win over Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter. Damezi Anderson racked up 26 points for the Wildcats against Washington. Matt’s pick: Riley 76, Cathedral 71.
Marian (13-3) at Michigan City (9-12): This marks the first meeting between the Knights and Michigan City. Jaden Ivey contributed 27 points in the Marian’s 89-26 victory over Jimtown. Daejon Reddix chipped in 18 points in the Wolves’ 60-44 loss to Valparaiso. Matt’s pick: Marian 61, Michigan City 55.
Northridge (9-7) at Fort Wayne Snider (5-11): The Raiders dropped a 69-50 decision to Fort Wayne Snider last season. Kyle Carson contributed nine points in Northridge’s 60-47 win over Jimtown. Keondre Brown tallied 15 points in the Panthers’ 63-47 loss to Fort Wayne Blackhawk. Matt’s pick: Northridge 53, Fort Wayne Snider 46.
Penn (9-7) at Crown Point (8-10): The Bulldogs needed overtime to claim a 57-51 win over Penn in their last meeting. Kegan Hoskins finished with 10 points for the Kingsmen against Bremen. Sam Krutz came up with 11 points for Crown Point in a 65-58 loss to Andrean. Matt’s pick: Crown Point 55, Penn 52.
Portage (8-10) at Elkhart Memorial (8-9): The Chargers marched past Portage, 49-42, during the 2009-10 campaign. Jalen Smith recorded five points for the Indians in a 64-54 loss to Crown Point. Brandon Bailey scored a career-high 18 points in Elkhart Memorial’s 68-47 loss at Marian. Matt’s pick: Elkhart Memorial 58, Portage 49.
Saint Joseph (12-6, 8-2 NIC) at Glenn (12-5, 7-2 NIC): The Falcons edged Saint Joe, 62-59, last season. Brady Powers exploded for 31 points in the Indians’ 70-67 overtime victory against Adams. Mike Machnic racked up 20 points for Glenn in a 68-59 loss at Adams. Matt’s pick: Glenn 62, Saint Joseph 60.
Warsaw (10-8) at Merrillville (13-7): The Pirates captured the 2017 Class 4A Michigan City regional title with a 50-46 win over Warsaw. Zach Riley finished with 10 points in the Tigers’ 63-50 loss to Elkhart Memorial. Johnny Bernard contributed 32 points in Merrillville’s 65-55 win at LaPorte. Matt’s pick: Merrillville 59, Warsaw 51.