It was not the best of times as I went 12-8 (60 percent) last week. With just two weeks left in the 2017 portion of the schedule, my overall record is 61-28, which leaves at 69 percent for the year.
DECEMBER 19
Adams (2-4, 0-2 NIC) at Clay (0-5, 0-3 NIC): The Eagles soared past Clay, 73-61, a year ago. Rico Swanson Jr. tallied 18 points for Adams in a 63-59 loss to Riley. Brayden Sexton managed six points in the Colonials’ 51-47 loss at New Prairie. Matt’s pick: Adams 64, Clay 52.
Columbia City (2-4) at Wawasee (2-3): The Warriors are looking to make amends for a 52-34 loss to Columbia City last season. The Eagles were outscored 24-5 in the third quarter of their 66-33 loss to East Noble. Jacob Hand netted five points as Wawasee snapped a 42-game Northern Lakes Conference losing streak with a 28-20 win at Warsaw. Matt’s pick: Wawasee 45, Columbia City 41.
Jimtown (2-4) at Concord (1-4): The Minutemen needed overtime to claim a 39-36 win over Jimtown last year. Clay Campbell had 11 points as the Jimmies managed just six points in the third quarter of their 55-36 loss to Fairfield. Matt Auger was limited to two points in Concord’s 49-34 loss to Elkhart Memorial. Matt’s pick: Concord 43, Jimtown 40.
Mishawaka (3-3, 1-1 NIC) at Elkhart Central (3-3, 1-2 NIC): The Blazers soared to a 51-46 win over Mishawaka a season ago. Dylan Hall recorded 11 points for the Cavemen in a 51-34 win over Bremen. Elkhart Central was limited to seven points in the fourth quarter of its 63-52 loss to Saint Joseph. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 56, Elkhart Central 55.
Riley (8-0) at Plymouth (5-2): The No. 2 (Class 4A) Wildcats earned a 78-61 win over Plymouth in their last meeting. Mikel Dorsey finished with two points for Riley against Adams. Kadin McCrammer racked up 12 points in the Pilgrims’ 52-51 loss at NorthWood. Matt’s pick: Riley 71, Plymouth 59.
DECEMBER 20
Penn (3-1, 1-1 NIC) at New Prairie (3-3, 2-1 NIC): The Kingsmen marched past New Prairie, 55-38, last year. Noah Krathwohl had six points in Penn’s 78-47 win at Michigan City. Cade Boniface accounted for six points for the Cougars against Clay. Matt’s pick: Penn 61, New Prairie 48.
Whitko (4-4) at Warsaw (2-5): The Wildcats went to overtime to earn a 62-60 win over Warsaw during the 2006-07 campaign. Spencer Sroufe finished with 17 points in Whitko’s 61-47 loss to East Noble. Tyler Metzinger accumulated 10 points in the Tigers’ 55-50 loss to Crown Point. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 44, Whitko 42.
DECEMBER 21
FAIRFIELD HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT
East Noble (6-0) vs. Goshen (2-4): The RedHawks posted a 65-61 overtime win over East Noble a season ago. Ali Ali tallied 17 points for the Knights in their 61-47 win over Whitko. Joe Good chipped in six points in Goshen’s 49-47 loss to Northridge. Matt’s pick: East Noble 60, Goshen 50.
Elkhart Central (3-4) at Fairfield (5-2): The Blazers came away with a 65-56 victory over Fairfield a year ago. Olazarus Miller finished with 11 points in Elkhart Central’s 68-42 loss to Mishawaka. Shandon Miller poured in 12 points for the Falcons against Jimtown. Matt’s pick: Fairfield 52, Elkhart Central 49.
DECEMBER 22
Central Noble (4-4) at Bremen (1-5): The Lions came away with a 71-66 overtime victory over Central Noble last season. Ridley Zolman recorded 23 points in the Cougars’ 90-33 win over Hamilton. Justin Zumbrun scored six points for the Lions against Mishawaka. Matt’s pick: Central Noble 47, Bremen 46.
Clay (0-6, 0-4 NIC) at Glenn (5-2, 3-0 NIC): The Colonials rolled to a 72-55 win over Glenn a season ago. Jalen Alberts tallied 12 points in Clay’s 60-44 loss to Adams. Khori Barker had seven points in the Falcons’ 44-34 loss to LaVille. Matt’s pick: Glenn 56, Clay 46.
Elkhart Memorial (4-2) at Penn (4-1): The Chargers survived two overtimes to post a 67-58 victory over Penn last year. Hank Smith managed 17 points in Elkhart Memorial’s 50-49 loss to Valparaiso. Kegan Hoskins netted 12 points in the Kingsmen’s 68-44 win at New Prairie. Matt’s pick: Penn 63, Elkhart Memorial 54.
Marian (3-1, 2-1 NIC) at Mishawaka (4-3, 2-1 NIC): The Cavemen dropped a 69-62 contest to Marian a year ago. Jake Bishop was held to two points in the Knights’ 49-48 loss to Glenn. Tre Jeffries racked up 10 points for Mishawaka against Elkhart Central. Matt’s pick: Marian 64, Mishawaka 62.
FAIRFIELD HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT
Goshen (2-5) vs. Elkhart Central (3-5) (Consolation): The Blazers posted a 58-46 win over Goshen on November 28. Will Line scored 22 points in the RedHawks’ 57-55 loss to East Noble. Cole Alberson managed just six points in Elkhart Central’s 54-41 loss to Fairfield. Matt’s pick: Goshen 59, Elkhart Central 55.
East Noble (7-0) vs. Fairfield (6-2) (Championship): The Falcons soared to a 67-50 win over East Noble a season ago. Michael Klein came up with nine points for the Knights against Goshen. Luke Stephens betted 22 points for Fairfield against Elkhart Central. Matt’s pick: East Noble 67, Fairfield 64.
DECEMBER 23
New Prairie (3-4) at Boone Grove (0-6): The Cougars and Boone Grove are meeting for the first time on the hardwood. Michael Klemczak poured in 20 points for New Prairie against Penn. With their 63-33 setback to Knox, the Wolves have now lost 32 straight games dating back to the end of the 2015-16 campaign. Boone Grove coach Matt McKay is a graduate of New Prairie. Matt’s pick: New Prairie 50, Boone Grove 38.
Warsaw (3-5) at Westview (6-0): The Warriors eliminated Warsaw for the 1989 sectional with a 94-77 victory. Zach Riley’s 13 points in a 67-49 win over Whitko helped the Tigers snap a five-game losing streak. Elijah Hales had the game-winning basket for No. 2 (Class 2A) Westview in its 40-38 victory over Angola. Matt’s pick: Westview 66, Warsaw 58.
