Did you hear? Boys basketball is officially kicking off with a full slate of games on Tuesday to pair with already fast paced and high scoring girls season.
We are about to be full on, 100 percent basketball and Bounce couldn’t be happier. If you do not agree that this is the most wonderful time of the year, then you are probably a Blitz fan.
Bounce will be out this week, as usual, taking in the boys as they kick off their season. But don’t worry ladies, Bounce isn’t forgetting you. As I make my picks through the rest of the season, Bounce’s top 10 games of the week will be broke down into five big girls games and 5 big boys games.
Last week: 8-2
Overall: 13-7
THE LADIES
Concordia at Norwell, Tuesday
The Cadets are not going to be in a great mood after Friday’s intense game at Homestead didn’t go their way and I am sure they plan to take that out on Norwell. Carissa Garcia proved that she can get her points no matter how you guard her and Bounce is really impressed with the presence that Nautica Rogers has inside.
Norwell meanwhile has been silently rolling though people until they topped NorthWood last week. They have scored well and if you missed Bounce’s weekly Sunday column — shame on you — Breann Barger returns to the team after not starting the season as part of the program. Did coach Eric Thornton need more weapons?
Bounces picks Norwell
Central Noble at Lakeland, Tuesday
Lakeland’s Bailey Hartsough proved last week her name can be added to the NECC’s scoring elite. But can the Lakers as a team put up enough points against one of the state’s stingiest defenses? Noble County fans will likely see Sydney Freeman of Central Noble become the county’s fourth all-time scorer in this one. As the Cougars get more comfortable, they get more dangerous.
Bounce picks Central Noble
Bishop Luers at Snider, Tuesday
These two teams have combined for just two wins, but both represent a solid middle in the Summit Athletic Conference. While Snider is still adjusting to the styling of new coach Gregory Addison, senior Da’leshia Davis has been scoring at the highest level of her career. Luers will need to toughen up to stop her; Snider will need to toughen up to stop Lydia Reimbold. Bishop Luers needs to not settle for outside shots, they scored just one basket inside the three point arch in the first half last Monday in a loss to South Side.
Bounce picks Bishop Luers
Woodlan at Jay County, Friday
Jay County had a humbling and toughening week against Oak Hill, Winchester and Bellmont. It ended up 0-3. But note the word tough. This early ACAC game is critical and the strong will survive. While Jay County has tested themselves, Woodlan has quietly built a 5-1 resume and Addie Bayman has been unstoppable, averaging 18.7 of the team’s 45 points per game.
In the preseason, this wouldn’t be look at as much of game. But Woodlan has showcased that they are ready to play at a high level in the ACAC.
Bounce picks Jay County
Angola at Northridge, Saturday
This game is played as part of a nice lineup at the Northern Lakes-Northeast Corner Classic with these two teams lined up to play at 11:45. Games are played all day starting at 10 a.m. with Fairfield and Concord also in the lineup.
This game is the highlight and with Northridge’s solid offense, the Angola defense is going to have to continue to be strong, giving up just 30.3 points per game over their first four outings. They could easily go 2-0 on the day if they muscle up on defense. Hanna Knoll’s consistency has been expected, but Bounce sees this as a possible coming out party for the season for Reace Peppler.
Bounce picks Angola
THE GENTLEMEN
Canterbury at Central Noble, Tuesday
Chase Sanders was an exciting choice for Canterbury to make when replacing Scott Kreiger after last season. Sanders’ Total Package Elite AAU teams are regularly one of the more fun to watch and I think he will bring that same enthusiasm to the Cavs. This game should be pretty well paced with little to the inside game of either team. Ridley Zolman is a fun pace setter that gets out on the break well for Central Noble.
Bounce picks Canterbury
Concordia at Norwell, Wednesday
Will Geiger is by far the best player in the area that folks inside the city of Fort Wayne don’t know enough about yet. You have two seasons left, get to know him. The Knights are young and the Cadets have been building for this season. Do they mesh with new coach Phil Brackmann early on? Returning their top three scorers in Brayden Pearson, Adam Gottschalk and Jadon Dance, the Cadets came a hair from winning a Sectional last season after a down year.
Bounce picks Concordia
Huntington North at Homestead, Wednesday
This is THE traditional Thanksgiving Eve game as far as Bounce is concerned. Last year, what was expected to be a fun one turned into a blowout for Huntington North. Bounce will go ahead and say that this year is going to be the same. This will either be a great battle or the more experienced Vikings will run away with it. I am looking forward to the debut of freshman Andrew Leeper for the Spartans, but does their skill equal the experience of the Vikings?
Bounce picks Huntington North
New Haven at Woodlan, Wednesday
Bounce hears that Reidy is the name at Woodlan, and not just for political tweets. Junior Ben and freshman Joe will be a fun combo to watch and the Warriors, under new coach John Baker, are going to want to make an immediate impact. New Haven sophomore Thomas Latham is one of Bounce’s favorites to watch on the summer scene and he will have to step up his game a lot this season to replace players lost to graduation. The big question mark for New Haven will be Wayne transfer DeAnte Causey.
This may be the hardest game of the week to predict.
Bounce picks Woodlan
Columbia City at Warsaw, Saturday
If size is the difference, count me in for Warsaw’s Tyler Metzinger. At 6-foot-8, he is a potential game changer in a Tiger offense rooted in guard Nolan Groninger. Groninger’s defense was intense throughout the summer and he brings a nice edge to this Warsaw team. For Columbia City, there are still questions about who will emerge alongside Mitchell Wilson. Max Bedwell could have a good game here.
Bounce picks Warsaw
These opinions represent those of Bounce and Outside the Huddle. No opinions expressed on Outside the Huddle represent those of any of our advertisers. Follow Bounce on Twitter at Bounce_OTH
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