The regular season ended on a positive note as I went 18-4 (82 percent) last week. Going into the sectionals, my overall record is now 237-72, which bumps me up to 77 percent for the year.
TUESDAY
CLASS 4A LAPORTE
Culver Academy (16-4) vs. Riley (12-10): The No. 6 Eagles posted a 54-40 win over Riley on January 25. Trey Galloway netted 20 points for Culver Academy in its 68-35 win over Bowman Academy. Jackson Copley’s 11 points lifted the Wildcats to a 55-36 win over Glenn, Matt’s pick: Culver Academy 75, Riley 65.
CLASS 4A ELKHART
Northridge (18-5) vs. Concord (1-19): The Raiders rolled to a 58-33 win over Concord on February 14. Alex Stauffer chipped in 16 points in Northridge’s 75-57 win over DeKalb. Payton Fish’s four points were not enough for the Minutemen in their 76-47 loss to No. 4 (Class 2A) Westview. Matt’s pick: Northridge 64, Concord 48.
CLASS 3A HANOVER CENTRAL
Hanover Central (21-2) vs. Kankakee Valley (9-13): The Wildcats earned a 52-45 victory against Kankakee Valley on February 22. Joey Glidewell came up with 12 points in Hanover Central’s 89-57 win over Hammond Gavit. Riley Jordan scored nine points in the Kougars’ 72-60 win over North Judson. Matt’s pick: Hanover Central 58, Kankakee Valley 42.
Wheeler (1-21) vs. New Prairie (11-12): The Bearcats suffered a 61-39 loss to New Prairie on January 14. Dylan Radinsky tallied eight points in Wheeler’s 57-33 loss to Knox. Derek Daniels finished with six points in the Cougars’ 66-56 loss to Adams. Matt’s pick: New Prairie 64, Wheeler 45.
CLASS 3A JIMTOWN
Marian (18-4) vs. Washington (14-9): The No. 4 Knights claimed a 60-47 win over Washington on February 28. Dar’e’on Thornton amassed four points for Marian against Washington. Demarcus Vaughn pitched in 16 points for the Panthers against Marian. Matt’s pick: Marian 63, Washington 59.
Glenn (14-8) vs. Jimtown (15-7): The Jimmies are looking to avenge a 46-42 loss to Glenn on January 7. Brycen Hannah ended with 11 points for the Falcons against Riley. Clay Campbell’s 14 points helped Jimtown to a 51-40 win over Penn. Matt’s pick: Jimtown 47, Glenn 44.
CLASS 3A NORTHWOOD
Tippecanoe Valley (9-13) vs. Lakeland (6-16): The Vikings eliminated Lakeland from the 2013 post-season with a 63-53 victory. Cooper Walls accounted for eight points in Tippecanoe Vallley’s 56-36 loss to Wawasee. Brayden Bontrager wound up with 25 points in the Lakers’ 51-38 loss to Angola. Matt’s pick: Tippecanoe Valley 50, Lakeland 40.
CLASS 2A WESTVIEW
Prairie Heights (18-5) vs. Westview (20-3): The No. 4 Warriors came up with 64-57 win against No. 9 Prairie Heights on February 14. Mike Perkins racked up 20 points in the Panthers’ 78-39 win over Hamilton. Charlie Yoder registered a school-record 52 points for Westview against Concord. Matt’s pick: Westview 61, Prairie Heights 56.
WEDNESDAY
CLASS 4A LAPORTE
Adams (20-3) vs. Mishawaka (12-10): The No. 10 Eagles soared to a 70-47 win over Mishawaka on February 14. Sydney Jeffries recorded 16 points for Adams against New Prairie. Raheem Braiton mustered seven points for the Cavemen in a 58-46 loss to No. 7 (Class 3A) Saint Joseph. Matt’s pick: Adams 76, Mishawaka 61
Michigan City (16-6) vs. LaPorte (10-12): The Slicers came up on the short end of a 73-70 decision to Michigan City on January 24. Evan Bush had 13 points for the Wolves in a 59-47 loss to Marian. Ethan Osowski contributed six points in LaPorte’s 73-39 loss to No. 4 Munster. Matt’s pick: Michigan City 71, LaPorte 59.
CLASS 4A ELKHART
Penn (9-13) vs. Elkhart Central (8-12): The Blazers held on for a 69-66 win at Penn on February 14. Joe Smith chipped in three points in the Kingsmen’s 72-60 loss to Merrillville. Mark Brownlee added four points in Elkhart Central’s 61-59 loss to NorthWood. Matt’s pick: Elkhart Central 68, Penn 67.
Goshen (11-11) vs. Warsaw (11-9): The Tigers roared to a 49-39 win against Goshen on January 17. Blak Wiess had two points in the RedHawks’s 65-59 win over Marquette Catholic. Jackson Dawson racked up four points in Warsaw’s 58-44 loss to Carroll (Fort Wayne). Matt’s pick: Warsaw 52, Goshen 49.
CLASS 2A WESTVIEW
Bremen (5-17) vs. Fairfield (9-13): The Lions needed overtime to come away with a 58-54 win against Fairfield during the 2012-13 campaign. Reece Willis’ seven points vaulted Bremen to a 68-50 win over Culver. Holden Blosser was held to just three points in the Falcons’ 42-39 loss to Central Noble. Matt’s pick: Fairfield 46, Bremen 40.
Central Noble (20-4) vs. Eastside (9-13): The No. 8 Cougars cruised to a 60-37 win over Eastside on January 24. Sawyer Yoder accounted for nine points for Central Noble against Fairfield. Logan Fry tallied 19 points in the Blazers’ 57-46 loss to Churubusco. Matt’s pick: Central Noble 55, Eastside 44.
FRIDAY
CLASS 4A LAPORTE
Plymouth (6-16) vs. Culver Academy (17-4): The Pilgrims were a 55-50 winner over Culver Academy during the 2013-14 campaign. Grant Houin finished with five points in Plymouth’s 94-58 loss to Saint Joseph. Deontae Craig’s 20 points paved the way for the Eagles in their 62-41 win over Riley. Matt’s pick: Culver Academy 70, Plymouth 52.
Michigan City (17-6) vs. Adams (21-3): The Wolves rallied for a 73-68 win over Adams on February 8. Caron McKinney added eight points in Michigan City’s 70-60 win over LaPorte. Chuck Worsham tallied 10 points for the Eagles in a 52-39 win over Mishawaka. Matt’s pick: Adams 80, Michigan City 74.
CLASS 4A ELKHART
Elkhart Memorial (13-9) vs. Northridge (19-5): The Chargers dropped a 72-67 decision to Northridge on January 25. Titus Rodgers racked up 17 points for Elkhart Memorial in a 63-48 win over East Noble. Carter Stoltzfus registered nine points in the Raiders’ 60-40 win over Concord. Matt’s pick: Northridge 71, Elkhart Memorial 64.
Penn (10-13) vs. Warsaw (12-9): The Tigers roared to a 52-31 win over Penn in the 2016 Elkhart sectional semifinals. Markus Burton had 25 points, including the game-winning free throw, in the Kingsmen’s 52-51 win over Elkhart Central. Luke Adamiec came up with eight points for Warsaw in its 57-56 overtime win over Goshen. Matt’s pick: Penn 44, Warsaw 43.
CLASS 3A HANOVER CENTRAL
Knox (12-10) vs. Hanover Central (22-2): The Redskins claimed a 53-47 win over Hanover Central during the 2014 post-season. Cade Short mustered 15 points for Knox in a 63-45 loss to Triton. Landen Babusiak ripped up 28 points in the Wildcats’ 73-53 win over Kankakee Valley. Matt’s pick: Hanover Central 50, Knox 44.
River Forest (6-17) vs. New Prairie (12-12): The Ingots and New Prairie are meeting for the first time on the hardwood. Kobe Galligan ended up with 10 points in River Forest’s 93-57 loss to No. 4 (Class 1A) Kouts. Braydon Flagg accounted for 18 points in the Cougars’ 65-44 win over Wheeler. Matt’s pick: New Prairie 56; River Forest 41.
CLASS 3A JIMTOWN
Saint Joseph (17-5) vs. Marian (19-4): The No. 4 Knights escaped with a 50-48 win over No. 5 Saint Joseph on January 14. Adam O’Dell tallied four points for the Indians against Mishawaka. Kaleo Kakalia added 10 points in Marian’s 55-47 win over Washington. Matt’s pick: Marian 67, Saint Joseph 64.
Clay (5-17) vs. Jimtown (16-7): The Colonials suffered a 52-42 loss to Jimtown on February 21. Christian Love chipped in two points in Clay’s 68-54 loss to Valparaiso. Preston Phillips’ 23 points allowed the Jimmies to claim a 53-50 overtime win against Glenn, Matt’s pick: Jimtown 49, Clay 38.
CLASS 3A NORTHWOOD
West Noble (8-14) vs. NorthWood (16-6): The Panthers earned a 55-44 win over West Noble on February 11. Austin Cripe poured in 13 points in the Chargers’ 57-29 win over Garrett. Cade Brenner racked up three points for NorthWood against Elkhart Central. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 53, West Noble 49.
Wawasee (13-9) vs. Lakeland (7-16): The Warriors recorded a 39-25 win against Lakeland on February 1. Ethan Carey scored two points for Wawasee against Tippecanoe Valley. Bracey Shepherd’s 17 points paved the way in the Lakers’ 54-33 win over Tippecanoe Valley. Matt’s pick: Wawasee 40, Lakeland 35.
CLASS 2A WESTVIEW
Churubusco (15-6) vs. Westview (21-3): The Eagles flew past Westview, 56-50, on December 6. Hunter Perlich recorded 19 points for Churubusco against Eastside. Blake Egli drained nine points in the Warriors’ 70-54 win over Prairie Heights. Matt’s pick: Westview 62, Churubusco 51.
Bremen (6-17) vs. Central Noble (21-4): The Lions came up on the short end of a 67-64 overtime decision to Central Noble on December 28. Tony Hardin recorded 14 points in Bremen’s 44-43 win over Fairfield. Ryan Schroeder ended with nine points in the Cougars’ 61-40 win against Eastside. Matt’s pick: Central Noble 63, Bremen 44.
SATURDAY
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.