My late season surge continued last week as I posted a 24-5 (83 percent). As we enter the final week of the regular season, my overall mark is 211-73, which has me at 74 percent for the season.
FEBRUARY 19
Bremen (8-12) at Triton (8-12): The Lions squeezed past Triton, 40-38, on January 19. Carson Miller and Bremen was limited to seven points in the third quarter of its 63-39 loss to No. 7 (Class 3A) Marian. Ty Orsund came up with 12 points in the Trojans’ 55-48 win over Elkhart Christian. Matt’s pick: Bremen 44, Triton 40.
Concord (6-14) at Mishawaka (11-9): The Cavemen marched to a 59-56 win at Concord last season. Michael Johnson tallied 26 points for the Minutemen in their 87-42 loss at Valparaiso. Sam Shively’s 15 points lifted Mishawaka to a 58-55 victory over Lakeland. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 56, Concord 51.
Elkhart Central (4-15, 2-9 NIC) at New Prairie (6-13, 0-10 NIC): The Blazers claimed a 52-46 victory against New Prairie a year ago. Luke Teich netted 12 points in Elkhart Central’s 56-54 loss to Washington. Mike Klemczak had 11 points for the Cougars in their 51-43 loss to Bremen. Matt’s pick: Elkhart Central 60, New Prairie 52.
Elkhart Memorial (15-5, 5-1 NLC) at Warsaw (13-5, 6-0 NLC): The Chargers rolled to a 63-50 win over Warsaw last year. Brandon Bailey netted 10 points in Elkhart Memorial’s 75-48 win over Clay. Tyler Metzinger was limited to six points in the Tigers’ 54-35 loss at No. 2 (Class 4A) Carmel. Matt’s pick: Elkhart Memorial 53, Warsaw 50.
Glenn (10-10, 3-7 NIC) at Washington (12-9, 6-4 NIC): The Falcons racked up a 46-42 victory against Washington a season ago. Evan Dreibelbeis finished with 10 points in Glenn’s 65-59 double-overtime setback to Mishawaka. Jylen Petty poured in 32 points for the Panthers in a 75-74 win over Lighthouse CPA. Matt’s pick: Washington 67, Glenn 57.
Northridge (13-8) at Fairfield (15-5): The Falcons soared to a 57-48 win over Northridge in their last matchup. Alex Stauffer finished with 12 points in the Raiders’ 67-61 win at Lakeland. Cordell Hofer registered 28 points in Fairfield’s 65-51 win over Churubusco. Matt’s pick: Fairfield 48, Northridge 46.
Michigan City (10-12) at Marian (16-3): The No. 6 (Class 3A) Knights registered a 63-60 victory at Michigan City a year ago. Jevon French contributed 10 points in the Wolves’ 62-57 win over Merrillville. Jerry Bracey chipped in six points for Marian against Bremen. Matt’s pick: Marian 76, Michigan City 64.
Penn (17-3, 10-1 NIC) at Jimtown (13-8, 7-4 NIC): The No. 10 (Class 4A) Kingsmen recorded a 60-37 win over Jimtown last year. Kegan Hoskins added 12 points in Penn’s 79-67 win at Plymouth. Caaden beck managed two points in the Jimmies’ 57-55 victory at Clay. Matt’s pick: Penn 73, Jimtown 58.
Plymouth (13-7) at Saint Joseph (10-9): The Indians fell 60-53 in two overtimes to Plymouth a season ago. Joe Barron had two points for the Pilgrims against Penn. J.R. Konieczny racked up 31 points in Saint Joseph’s 78-72 overtime loss to LaVille. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 61, Plymouth 59.
West Noble (9-11) at Goshen (8-11): The RedHawks cruised to a 66-32 win against West Noble last season. Trevor Franklin recorded 32 points in the Chargers’ 82-64 win over Hamilton. Joe Good mustered only three points in Goshen’s 47-30 loss to No. 3 (Class 2A) Westview. Matt’s pick: Goshen 55, West Noble 49.
FEBRUARY 21
Goshen (8-12, 1-5 NLC) at Plymouth (13-8, 4-2 NLC): The Pilgrims posted a 44-32 win over Goshen during the 2017-18 season. Eric Newell managed just three points in the RedHawks’ 55-53 loss to West Noble. Thomas Dolan was limited to three points in Plymouth’s 66-56 loss to Saint Joseph. Matt’s pick: Plymouth 54, Goshen 45.
FEBRUARY 22
Carroll (Fort Wayne) (14-7) at Warsaw (13-6): The Tigers were a 46-32 loser to Carroll (Fort Wayne) in their previous meeting. Daniel McKeeman accounted for 31 points in the Chargers’ 57-54 win over North Central (Indianapolis). Trevor Rumple tallied 10 points in Warsaw’s 48-45 loss to Elkhart Memorial. Matt’s pick: Carroll 46, Warsaw 43.
Clay (4-16) at Valparaiso (18-5): The Vikings marched to a 74-34 victory against Clay last year. Jackson Jones managed only two points for the Colonials against Elkhart Memorial. Brandon Newman tallied a school-record 49 points for Valparaiso against Concord. Matt’s pick: Valparaiso 80, Clay 59.
Culver (3-18) at Bremen (9-12): The Cavaliers marched to a 49-46 win over Bremen a year ago. Owen Vallquet managed eight points in Culver’s 79-31 loss to No. 7 (Class 2A) LaVille. Ryan Caldwell dropped in six points in the Lions’ 50-35 win over Triton. Matt’s pick: Bremen 51, Culver 34.
DeKalb (6-15) at Northridge (14-8): The Barons are looking to avenge a 60-46 setback to Northridge last season. Dalton Smith managed 12 points in DeKalb’s 58-38 loss to No. 6 (Class 4A) Homestead. Sam Vogt poured in 17 points as the Raiders made it eight straight wins with a 56-48 decision over Fairfield. Matt’s pick: Northridge 60, DeKalb 50.
Elkhart Memorial (16-5) at East Noble (18-3): The Chargers dropped a 66-48 contest to East Noble a year ago. Hank Smith came up with 13 points as Elkhart Memorial edged Warsaw to claim a share of the Northern Lakes Conference crown. Hayden Jones netted 20 points in the Knights’ 53-46 win over Angola. Matt’s pick: East Noble 65, Elkhart Memorial 64.
Goshen (8-13) at Marquette Catholic (13-8): The RedHawks needed overtime to earn a 72-70 win against Marquette Catholic last year. Drew Hogan cane up with four points in Goshen’s 58-36 loss at Plymouth. Colin Kenney poured in 35 points in the Blazers’ 76-65 win over Lake Central. Matt’s pick: Marquette Catholic 66, Goshen 57.
Mishawaka (12-9. 4-7 NIC) at Saint Joseph (11-9. 6-5 NIC): The Cavemen were a 59-54 winner over Saint Joseph a season ago. Grant Jablonski’s eight points helped Mishawaka to a 57-50 win over Concord. Conor Ratigan finished with nine points for the Indians against Plymouth. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 59, Mishawaka 56
New Prairie (6-14, 0-11 NIC) at Adams (11-12, 7-4 NIC): The Cougars clawed by Adams, 52-48, last season. Jake Tuttle had 12 points in New Prairie’s 49-42 loss to Elkhart Central. James Williams added two points in the Eagles’ 76-55 win over Indianapolis Scecina. Matt’s pick: Adams 63, New Prairie 53.
NorthWood (8-12) at Elkhart Central (5-15): The Blazers slipped past NorthWood, 45-43, during the 2009-10 campaign. Nick Bean’s 10 points lifted the Panthers to a 54-47 win over Elkhart Christian. Kyran Pearson netted eight points for Elkhart Central against New Prairie. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 47, Elkhart Central 46.
Penn (18-3) at Merrillville (11-11): The Pirates downed Penn, 70-64, a year ago. Richard Brooks helped the Kingsmen earn a share of the Northern Indiana Conference title with nine points in an 83-46 triumph at Jimtown. Keon Thompson accounted for 14 points in Merrillville’s 62-57 loss to Michigan City. Matt’s pick: Penn 72, Merrillville 66.
Riley (17-4, 10-1 NIC) at Glenn (10-11, 3-8 NIC): The No. 9 (Class 4A) Wildcats posted a 65-46 victory over Glenn in their previous meeting. Dejon Barney chipped in seven points for Riley in its 85-70 win at Adams. Robby Porter’s 23 points were not enough for the Falcons in their 61-60 overtime setback to Washington. Matt’s pick: Riley 72, Glenn 54.
Westview (21-4) at Concord (6-15): The No. 3 (Class 2A) Warriors claimed a 65-46 win against Concord a season ago. Elijan Hales contributed 11 points in Westview’s 93-41 win over Fremont. Drew McDougle chipped in 13 points for the Minutemen against Mishawaka. Matt’s pick: Westview 68, Concord 53.
Washington (13-9, 7-4 NIC) at Marian (17-3, 10-1 NIC): The No. 6 Knights went to overtime to eliminate Washington, 50-47, in last year’s Class 3A Washington sectional opener. Jason Jones registered seven points for the Panthers against Glenn. Jaden Ivey racked up 30 points in Marian’s 71-53 victory against Michigan City. Matt’s pick: Marian 73, Washington 65.
Wawasee (5-15) at Tippecanoe Valley (12-9): The Warriors downed Tippecanoe Valley, 51-41, a year ago. Austin Miller mustered 14 points in Wawasee’s 42-36 loss to East Noble. Braden Shepherd accounted for 17 points in the Vikings’ 42-29 win at Triton. Matt’s pick: Tippecanoe Valley 44, Wawasee 34.
FEBRUARY 23
Westville (10-11) at New Prairie (6-15): The Blackhawks suffered a 41-28 loss to New Prairie last year. Josh DeChantal mustered four points in Westville’s 26-24 win over South Central. Braydon Flagg tallied 17 points in the Cougars’ 62-50 loss to Adams. Matt’s pick: New Prairie 41, Westville 40.
GIRLS STATE FINALS
Class 1A: Marquette Catholic (26-2) vs. Vincennes Rivet (29-0): The top-ranked and defending state champion Blazers edged No. 2 Evansville Rivet, 37-31, in last season’s title game. Sophia Nolan netted 20 points in Marquette Catholic’s 47-32 win over No. 4 Northfield. Grace Waggoner tallied 24 points in the Patriots’ 61-50 win over No. 3 University. Matt’s pick: Marquette Catholic 62, Vincennes Rivet 54.
Class 2A: Oak Hill (24-3) vs. Winchester (26-3): The No. 2 Golden Eagles soared to a 59-39 victory against No. 4 Winchester on November 24. Sydney Freeman poured in 18 points in Oak Hill’s 53-36 upset of top-ranked and defending state champion Central Noble. Madeline Lawrence registered 19 points in the Golden Falcons’ 59-50 triumph over Evansville Mater Dei. Matt’s pick: Oak Hill 55, Winchester 51.
Class 3A: Northwestern (26-3) vs. Benton Central (26-4): The No. 1 and defending start champion Tigers earned a 59-26 win over No. 7 Benton Central a year ago. Madison Layden recorded 27 points in Northwestern’s 59-31 win over No. 11 Marion. Audrey Strawsma had 20 points for the Bison in their 46-34 win over No. 2 Salem. Matt’s pick: Northwestern 65, Benton Central 50.
Class 4A: Hamilton Southeastern (26-1) vs. Lawrence North (22-6): The top-ranked Royals downed No. 10 Lawrence North, 56-45, on January 19. Sydney Parris added 14 points in Hamilton Southeastern’s 61-28 win over No. 4 Crown Point. Jayla Smith ended up with 12 points in the Wildcats’ 50-40 triumph against Castle. Matt’s pick: Hamilton Southeastern 63, Lawrence North 53.