DECEMBER 14
Adams (2-3) at Riley (6-0): This contest will not count as part of the Northern Indiana Conference standings. The No. 6 (Class 4A) Wildcats earned a sectional crown last year with a 98-58 decision over Adams. Sydney Jeffries tallied 19 points for Adams in a 63-61 loss at No. (Class 3A) Marian. Blake Wesley poured in 18 points for Riley against Concord. Matt’s pick: Riley 68, Adams 60.
Elkhart Central (1-4, 1-1 NIC) at Saint Joseph (2-3, 1-1 NIC): The Indians marched past Elkhart Central, 63-52, last season. Titus Rodgers came up with 10 points in the Blazers’ 45-42 overtime win over Glenn. Alex Mossey’s 14 points were not enough for Saint Joseph in its 46-41 loss to Goshen. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 57, Elkhart Central 51.
Elkhart Memorial (4-0) at Concord (0-4): The Minutemen suffered a 49-34 loss to No. 10 (Class 4A) Elkhart Memorial a season ago. Ben Roby netted 10 points for the Chargers in a 66-55 win at Portage. Michael Johnson accounted for 35 points for Concord against Riley. Matt’s pick: Elkhart Memorial 51, Concord 40.
Marian (4-0, 2-0 NIC) at Glenn (4-2, 1-1 NIC): The top-ranked Knights knocked Glenn out of the state tournament a year ago with a 56-37 decision in the Class 3A sectional semifinals. Jaden Ivey came up with 19 points in Marian’s 39-38 win over No. 4 (Class 3A) Culver Academy. Evan Dreibelbeis had seven points in the Falcons’ 56-37 win over Tippecanoe Valley. Matt’s pick: Marian 61, Glenn 55.
Mishawaka (2-2, 0-1 NIC) at Bremen (1-3, 0-2 NIC): The Cavemen claimed a 51-34 win over Bremen in their last meeting. Donovan Snyder paced Mishawaka with 16 points in a 68-49 victory at Elkhart Christian. Jacob Wunder managed just five points in the Lions’ 59-51 loss at Saint Joseph. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 47, Bremen 37.
NorthWood (3-4) at Plymouth (4-2): The Panthers escaped with a 52-51 win over Plymouth last season. Jason Borkholder was limited to just three points in NorthWood’s 58-52 loss at Jimtown. Cole Filson poured in 14 points, including the game-winning 3-pointer, in the Pilgrims’ 47-45 victory at Peru.  Matt’s pick: Plymouth 52, NorthWood 46.
Warsaw (3-2) at Wawasee (1-4): The Warriors ended Warsaw’s 21-game Northern Lakes Conference winning streak with a 28-20 triumph last year. Blake Marsh recorded 11 points in the Tigers’ 50-35 win over Lake Central to help Doug Ogle get his 250th career victory. Austin Miller racked up 17 points as Wawasee got into the win column with a 59-41 decision over Whitko. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 49, Wawasee 34.
DECEMBER 15
Fairfield (5-0) at Jimtown (3-1): The Falcons soared past Jimtown, 55-36, a season ago. Skylar Mast tallied 12 points in Fairfield’s 45-41 win over NorthWood. Brayden Rice tallied none points for the Jimmies against NorthWood. Matt’s pick: Fairfield 50, Jimtown 45.
Goshen (3-2) at Northridge (2-3): The Raiders were a 44-31 winner over Goshen in last year’s Class 4A sectional semifinals. Eric Newell finished with 11 points in the RedHawks’ 58-47 win over Clay. Carter Stoltzfus’ seven points were not enough for Northridge in a 50-37 loss to Angola. Matt’s pick: Goshen 53, Northridge 49.
LaVille (5-0) at Glenn (4-2): The No. 3 (Class 2A) Lancers marched by Glenn, 44-34, a year ago. Riley Cox paved the way with 22 points in LaVille’s 52-46 win over Winamac. Aaron Wright registered five points for the Falcons against Tippecanoe Valley. Matt’s pick: LaVille 46, Glenn 43.
Michigan City (4-2) at Penn (5-0): The No. 8 (Class 4A) Kingsmen rolled to a 78-47 win at Michigan City last season. Rayshon Howard’s 20 points were not enough for the Wolves in a 50-47 loss to East Chicago Central. Noah Applegate chipped in 12 points in Penn’s 71-56 win at Washington. Matt’s pick: Penn 70, Michigan City 58.
Riley (6-0) vs. Evansville Harrison (3-3): This first meeting between the Wildcats and Harrison on the hardwood takes place at Evansville Bosse. Gabe Johnson chipped in eight points for Riley against Concord. Mason Bost chipped in 10 points in the Warriors’ 56-43 win against Princeton. Matt’s pick: Riley 66, Evansville Central 62.
Valparaiso (5-0) at Elkhart Memorial (4-0): The No. 10 Chargers rallied for a 67-60 overtime win against No. 5 Valparaiso in last year’s Class 4A Michigan City regional semifinals. Brandon Newman recorded 41 points and 11 rebounds in the Vikings’ 74-32 win over Washington Township. Javon Forester came up with six points for Memorial against Portage. Matt’s pick: Valparaiso 64, Elkhart Memorial 57.
Warsaw (3-2) at Crown Point (2-1): The Bulldogs posted a 55-50 victory at Warsaw a year ago. Wyatt Amiss racked up 16 points for the Tigers against Lake Central. Sam Decker scored 12 points in Crown Point’s 71-51 loss to Penn. Matt’s pick: Crown Point 44, Warsaw 40.