My downward slide at the end of 2018 continued by going 16-10 (62 percent) last week. Going in the first week of 2019, my overall mark is 100-43, which drops me to 70 percent for the season.
JANUARY 2
Bremen (3-4, 1-2 NIC) at Riley (8-2, 2-0 NIC): The Wildcats clawed their way to a 70-24 win over Bremen last season. Trevor Devine netted nine points for the Lions in their 63-54 loss to Central Noble. Braylon Gidon tallied nine points in Riley’s 65-60 loss to defending Michigan Class B state champion Benton Harbor. Matt’s pick: Riley 75, Bremen 54.
Glenn (5-4, 2-2 NIC) at Jimtown (6-2, 2-0 NIC): The Falcons soared to a 67-30 win over Jimtown a year ago. Evan Dreibelbeis scored nine points in Glenn’s 72-60 win over Clay. Preston Phillips managed seven points in the Jimmies’ 55-53 loss at Plymouth. Matt’s pick: Jimtown 51, Glenn 47.
JANUARY 3
Mishawaka (3-4) at Career Academy (3-8): A.J. Rosebush accounted for the game-winning basket in the Cavemen’s 57-56 win against Elkhart Central. Mike Whitlow had 11 points for the Trailblazers in their 55-53 loss to New Prairie. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 55, Career Academy 50.
JANUARY 4
Adams (5-7, 2-1 NIC) at Penn (6-2, 3-0 NIC): The Kingsmen claimed a 71-59 win at Adams a season ago. Shak Johnson had eight points in the Eagles’ 57-29 loss to Franklin. Beau Ludwick contributed 11 points in Penn’s 78-76 loss to No. 5 (Class 4A) Elkhart Memorial. Matt’s pick: Penn 65, Adams 54.
Concord (1-7, 0-1 NLC) at Goshen (4-4, 0-1 NLC): The Minutemen registered a 57-48 win against Goshen last season. Shamari Southern chipped in 11 points in Concord’ 50-41 win over Hammond Bishop Noll. Drew Hogan recorded five points for the RedHawks in their 42-40 win against Elkhart Central. Matt’s pick: Goshen 47, Concord 41.
Elkhart Memorial (7-1, 1-0 NLC) at Plymouth (7-3, 1-0 NLC): The Chargers posted a pair of wins over Plymouth a season ago, including a 66-52 triumph in the Class 4A Elkhart sectional opener. D’Arjon Lewis tallied 11 points for Elkhart Memorial against Penn. Tim Tremaine knocked down a 3-pointer for the Pilgrims against Jimtown. Matt’s pick: Elkhart Memorial 58, Plymouth 52.
Glenn (5-5) at Triton (4-4): The Falcons earned a 58-47 win over Triton in their last meeting. Khori Barker scored nine points in Glenn’s 46-44 overtime loss at Jimtown. Tyler Heckaman came up with 10 points in the Trojans’ 45-41 loss to South Bend Trinity. Matt’s pick: Glenn 51, Triton 42.
Northridge (5-5, 1-0 NLC) at Warsaw (6-4, 1-0 NLC): The Tigers downed Northridge, 58-49, last year. Alex Stouffer added 18 points in the Raiders’ 54-52 win over Crown Point. Connor Lennox managed only two points in Warsaw’s 51-34 loss to East Noble. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 53, Northridge 46.
Riley (9-2, 3-0 NIC) at Elkhart Central (1-8, 1-2 NIC): The Blazers suffered a 90-38 loss to Riley last year. Tyson Lee ended up with 12 points in the Wildcats’ 62-41 win over Bremen. Luke Teich mustered two points for Elkhart Central against Goshen. Matt’s pick: Riley 76, Elkhart Central 56.
Saint Joseph (4-4, 2-1 NIC) at Jimtown (7-2, 3-0 NIC): The Indians recorded a 64-44 win over Jimtown in last season’s Class 3A Washington sectional opener. Connor Litka had eight points for Saint Joseph in its 62-58 win against Twin Lakes. Brayden Rice managed five points for the Jimmies against Glenn. Matt’s pick: Jimtown 50, Saint Joseph 49.
Washington (5-5) at New Prairie (3-5, 0-4 NIC): The Panthers clawed past New Prairie, 70-41, a season ago. Da’Qua Jennings poured in 18 points in Washington’s 66-64 double-overtime loss to Griffith. Rylan McBride accounted for four points in the Cougars’ 61-42 loss to LaPorte. Matt’s pick: Washington 64, New Prairie 51.
Wawasee (3-7, 0-1 NLC) at NorthWood (4-6, 0-1 NLC): The Warriors dropped a 55-34 decision at Wawasee a year ago. Austin Miller accounted for 25 points in Wawasee’s 63-51 win over Garrett. Brock Flickinger registered nine points in the Panthers’ 64-39 win against Clay. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 60, Wawasee 53.
JANUARY 5
Bremen (3-5) at Bethany Christian (0-9): The Lions roared to a 60-24 win over Bethany Christian in their last matchup. Ryan Caldwell’s eight points were not enough for Bremen against Riley. KeShawn Smith tallied nine points for the Bruins in their 40-21 loss to South Bend Trinity. Matt’s pick: Bremen 43, Bethany Christian 31.
Elkhart Memorial (7-2) at Adams (5-8): The Eagles flew past Elkhart Memorial, 57-39, last year. Ben Roby came up with 12 points for the Chargers in their 61-57 overtime loss to Plymouth. Sydney Jeffries scored 15 points for Adams in its 86-73 loss at Penn. Matt’s pick: Elkhart Memorial 67, Adams 63.
Marian (8-0) at Goshen (4-5): The top-ranked (Class 3A) Knights coasted to 77-43 win against Goshen last season. Coley Quinn tallied 15 points in Marian’s 58-32 win against Norwell. Bryant Robinson netted 14 points in the RedHawks’ 48-36 setback at Concord. Matt’s pick: Marian 71, Goshen 54.
Mishawaka (4-4) at Edwardsburg (2-4): The Cavemen posted a 54-51 win over Edwardsburg during the 2016-17 season. Alex Boggs registered 10 points and 10 rebounds in Mishawaka’s 70-59 win over South Bend Career Academy. Luke Hudak came up with 10 points in the Michigan-based Eddies’ 51-36 loss to Dowagiac. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 52, Edwardsburg 41.
Tippecanoe Valley (6-5) at Plymouth (8-3): The Pilgrims cruised to a 62-35 win at Tippecanoe Valley a season ago. Cam Parker’s 12 points lifted the Vikings to a 76-57 victory over Northfield. Adam Hunter came off the bench to contribute seven points for Plymouth against Elkhart Memorial. Matt’s pick: Plymouth 65, Tippecanoe Valley 53.
Valparaiso (9-3) at Penn (7-2): The Vikings marched past Penn, 76-61, a year ago. Brandon Newman poured in 38 points in Valparaiso’s 84-50 triumph against Portage. Noah Applegate registered 26 points for the Kingsmen against Adams. Matt’s pick: Valparaiso 73, Penn 69.
