The 2019 portion of the schedule started on a positive note as I went 15-3 (83 percent) last week. This leaves my overall mark at 115-46, which bumps me up to 71 percent for the season.
JANUARY 8
Elkhart Christian (3-5) at Bremen (4-5): The Eagles flew past Bremen, 63-42, last season. Luke Burns recorded 22 points and 11 rebounds in Elkhart Christian’s 67-52 win over Lakeland Christian. Justin Zumbrun registered 12 points in the Lions’ 61-28 win over Bethany Christian. Matt’s pick: Bremen 45, Elkhart Christian 40.
Saint Joseph (4-5, 2-2 NIC) at Marian (9-0, 4-0 NIC): The top-ranked (Class 3A) Knights earned a 59-44 win at Saint Joseph a season ago. Conor Ratigan was held to two points in the Indians’ 43-40 loss at Jimtown. Jaden Ivey came up with 25 points in Marian’s 55-48 win at Goshen. Matt’s pick: Marian 67, Saint Joseph 49.
Washington (6-5) at Elkhart Memorial (8-2): The Panthers roared to a 69-59 victory against No. 5 (Class 4A) Elkhart Memorial last year. Jayne Griffin contributed 16 points in Washington’s 52-50 win against New Prairie. Braxton Miller drained a 3-pointer in the No. 5 (Class 4A) Chargers’ 59-48 win over Adams. Matt’s pick: Elkhart Memorial 63, Washington 54.
JANUARY 10
Adams (5-9, 2-2 NIC) at Washington (7-5, 2-2 NIC): The Eagles suffered a 60-52 loss to Washington a year ago. Lynn King came up with seven points for Adams against Elkhart Memorial. Demarcus Vaughn converted the game-winning 3-pointer in the Panthers’ 64-61 win over No. 7 (Class 4A) Elkhart Memorial. Matt’s pick: Washington 66, Adams 61.
Clay (2-8, 1-4 NIC) at Saint Joseph (4-6, 2-3 NIC): The Indians were a 62-54 winner over Clay in their last meeting. Anthony Neal finished with eight points in the Colonials’ 64-39 loss to NorthWood. Adam O’Dell and Saint Joseph was limited to seven points in the third quarter in a 60-41 loss at No. 1 (Class 3A) Marian. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 54, Clay 44.
Jimtown (8-2, 4-0 NIC) at Mishawaka (5-4, 1-3 NIC): The Cavemen clubbed Jimtown, 59-21, during the 2017-18 season. Caaden Beck chipped in two points for the Jimmies against Saint Joseph. Sam Shively netted nine points in Mishawaka’s 46-42 win at Edwardsburg. Matt’s pick: Jimtown 41, Mishawaka 40.
Penn (8-2, 4-0 NIC) at Glenn (6-5, 2-3 NIC): The Kingsmen cruised to 64-40 win against Glenn last year. Derek Derda scored seven points in Penn’s 78-64 win over Valparaiso. Nick Frankiewicz came up with seven points in the Falcons’ 39-30 win at Triton. Matt’s pick: Penn 65, Glenn 47.
JANUARY 11
Elkhart Central (1-9, 1-4 NIC) at Bremen (5-5, 1-3 NIC): The Blazers marched past Bremen, 64-43, last season. Titus Rodgers contributed two points in Elkhart Central’s 65-49 loss to Riley. Reece Willis added six points in the Lions’ 55-42 win over Elkhart Christian. Matt’s pick: Bremen 50, Elkhart Central 47.
Marian (10-0, 5-0 NIC) at Riley (10-2, 4-0 NIC): The Wildcats needed overtime to claim a 64-60 win at Marian a season ago. Coley Quinn came up with 14 points for the Knights against Saint Joseph. Jathen Spicer chipped in four points for Riley against Elkhart Central. Matt’s pick: Marian 76, Riley 73.
New Prairie (3-7) at Buchanan (3-5): The Michigan-based Bucks suffered a 45-42 loss to New Prairie a year ago. Evan Foerg scored just two points for the Cougars against Washington. Logan Carson tallied 28 points in Buchanan’s 69-47 win over Lake Michigan Catholic. Matt’s pick: New Prairie 44, Buchanan 42.
NorthWood (5-6, 1-1 NLC) at Northridge (5-6, 1-1 NLC): The Raiders had to go to three overtimes to earn a 58-55 win at NorthWood last year. Nick Bean finished with seven points in the Panthers’ 48-36 win over Wawasee. Sam Vogt finished with 13 points in Northridge’s 67-56 loss at Warsaw. Matt’s pick: Northridge 57, NorthWood 56.
Plymouth (9-3, 2-0 NLC) at Concord (2-7, 1-1 NLC): The Pilgrims recorded a 49-44 win against Concord in their last matchup. Kendall Himes had two points in Plymouth’s 56-50 win over Tippecanoe Valley. Braedon Taylor was held to four points in the Minutemen’s 48-36 win at Goshen. Matt’s pick: Plymouth 53, Concord 48.
Warsaw (7-4, 2-0 NLC) at Goshen (4-6, 0-2 NLC): The Tigers dropped a 58-45 decision to Goshen in last year’s Class 4A Elkhart sectional opener. Wyatt Amiss had 17 points for Warsaw against Northridge. Joe Good racked up nine points for the RedHawks against Marian. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 54, Goshen 50.
Wawasee (3-8, 0-2 NLC) at Elkhart Memorial (8-3, 1-1 NLC): The Chargers registered a 49-28 win against Wawasee a season ago. Michael Hammer mustered six points for the Warriors at NorthWood. Trey Gallope’s 24 points was not enough for Elkhart Memorial against Washington. Matt’s pick: Elkhart Memorial 60, Wawasee 45.
JANUARY 12
Elkhart Memorial (9-3) at Hobart (3-9): The Brickies are looking to make amends for a 62-52 loss to Elkhart Memorial last year. Jai-Veon Qaiyim tallied 10 points in the Chargers’ 50-28 win over Wawasee. Caleb Banjoff had 13 points for Hobart in a 57-37 loss to Chesterton. Matt’s pick: Elkhart Memorial 64, Hobart 47.
LaPorte (8-4) at Plymouth (10-3): The Slicers came up on the short end of 61-45 decision to Plymouth last season. Drake Gunn registered 20 points in LaPorte’s 71-65 win over Chesterton. Thomas Dolan had eight points in the Pilgrims’ 57-45 win at Concord. Matt’s pick: Plymouth 52, LaPorte 50.