CLASS 4A EAST CHICAGO CENTRAL
Merrillville (11-12) vs. Lake Central (14-11): The Indians hung on for a 61-58 win over Merrillville on February 6. Dorian Harris scored 10 points in the Pirates’ 63-53 win over No. 4 Munster. Kyle Blum accounted for 12 points in Lake Central’s 52-34 win over East Chicago Central. Matt’s pick: Merrillville 73, Lake Central 70.
CLASS 4A VALPARAISO
Valparaiso (16-8) vs. Chesterton (23-2): The Vikings suffered a 54-51 loss to No. 5 Chesterton on February 21. Cooper Jones poured in 20 points in Valparaiso’s 69-51 win over Portage. Sean Elliott had a career-high 15 points in the Trojans’ 63-52 win over Crown Point. Matt’s pick: Chesterton 59, Valparaiso 56.
CLASS 4A LAPORTE
Culver Academy (18-4) vs. Adams (22-3): The Eagles flew past Culver Academy, 74-44, during the 2010-11 campaign. Anthony Goeb netted 10 points in the Eagles’ 66-24 win over Plymouth. Quentez Columbus tallied 15 points for Adams in its 56-52 win over Michigan City. Matt’s pick: Culver Academy 77, Adams 73.
CLASS 4A ELKHART
Northridge (20-5) vs. Warsaw (13-9): The Raiders downed Warsaw, 59-55, on January 10. Alex Stauffer managed 15 points in Northridge’s 70-51 win over Elkhart Memorial. Brock Poe added 14 points in the Tigers’ 58-54 overtime win against Penn. Matt’s pick: Northridge 62, Warsaw 56.
CLASS 3A HANOVER CENTRAL
Hanover Central (23-2) vs. New Prairie (13-12): The Wildcats and New Prairie are getting together for the first time on the basketball court. Nick Holden finished with 19 points in Hanover Central’s 61-39 win over Knox. Rylan McBride poured in 15 points in the Cougars’ 57-35 victory over River Forest. Matt’s pick: Hanover Central 51, New Prairie 50.
CLASS 3A JIMTOWN
Marian (20-4) vs. Jimtown (17-7): The Knights were a 48-31 winner over Jimtown on February 11. Jerry Bracey contributed 27 points in Marian’s 68-66 overtime win over Saint Joseph. Bill Pawlak’s eight points helped the Jimmies to a 59-48 win over Clay. Matt’s pick: Marian 60, Jimtown 55.
CLASS 3A NORTHWOOD
NorthWood (17-6) vs. Wawasee (14-9): The Panthers clawed past Wawasee, 54-38, on January 10. Jason Borkholder accounted for 11 points in NorthWood’s 52-33 win over West Noble. Keaton Dukes’ 11 points helped the Warriors to a 56-45 win over Lakeland. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 54, Wawasee 45.
CLASS 2A NORTH JUDSON
South Central (11-12) vs. LaVille (18-6): The Satellites and LaVille have never met on the hardwood before. Zack Christy racked up nine points, including the game-winning three-pointer, in South Central’s 54-53 double-overtime triumph over Hebron. Bobby Good registered 14 points in the Lancers’ 59-41 win over Boone Grove. Matt’s pick: LaVille 46, South Central 41.
CLASS 2A WINAMAC
Rochester (11-10) vs. Rensselaer Central (14-10): The Zebras registered a 63-52 win over Rensselaer Central in the 2007 state tournament. Grant McCarter notched 23 points in Rochester’s 53-36 win over Winamac. Alex Hull paved the way with 22 points in the Bombers’ 49-43 win over Delphi. Matt’s pick: Rensselaer Central 40, Rochester 38.
CLASS 2A WESTVIEW
Churubusco (16-6) vs. Central Noble (22-4): The Eagles earned a 60-51 win over Central Noble on January 31, while the Cougars edged Churubusco, 63-57, on January 17. Luke McClure accounted for 12 points in the Eagles’ 58-50 upset of Westview. Connor Essegian mustered 22 points in the Cougars’ 60-57 win over Bremen. Matt’s pick: Churubusco 61, Central Noble 59.
CLASS 1A TRITON
Triton (14-10) vs. Argos (15-9): The Trojans marched to a 47-44 win against Argos on February 6. Alex Oviedo’s 19 points vaulted Triton to a 55-26 win over LaCrosse. Owen Nifong chipped in eight points in the Dragons’ 50-23 win over Oregon-Davis. Matt’s pick: Triton 43, Argos 42.
CLASS 1A FREMONT
Elkhart Christian (10-13) vs. Lakewood Park (12-11): The Eagles racked up a 61-45 win over Lakewood Park during the 2016-17 season. Bryce Coursen finished with 20 points in Elkhart Christian’s 83-30 victory against Hamilton. Josh Pike ended with 19 points in the Panthers’ 66-41 win over Fremont. Matt’s pick: Lakewood Park 38, Elkhart Christian 35.