Somehow, this is the end of the boys basketball regular season. Teams will take to the court this week for their final Sectional prep. You can catch our Sectional previews coming this weekend. But for now, let’s focus on some of the top games left in the regular season.
The Bounce Traveling Trophy on the boys side stayed with Blackhawk Christian again last week.
What you will see today is 10 total games on the boys side. What you won’t see is me talking about Norwell at Homestead, which will be our Outside the Huddle Game of the Weekend and previewed later this week.
Last week: 8-3
Season total: 126-43
BOYS
Central Noble at Lakewood Park, Tuesday
Lakewood Park’s hope to stay in this game and use their ability to run to their favor, they have to stop the Cougar shooters. The Panthers move well and defend the post, but have been susceptible to three pointer shooters. Central Noble is looking for a momentum push before a tough Sectional and they’d like Logan Gard to step up to the major challenge of limiting Caedmon Bontrager in the post. Bounce picks Central Noble
East Noble at Angola, Tuesday
Intelligent shot choice is the name of the game in this one. Now that Angola is back on a winning track, can their defense continue to slow and pressure opponents? The Knights will take a high volume of shots usually but with Angola’s ability to limit possessions, this game will come down to taking the right shots, not the most shots. Waiting for Hayden Jones to take over a game and this may be it. Can any Hornet guard him on the perimeter? Is Chris Hood vs. Dyer Ball the best post battle this week? Bounce picks East Noble
Westview at Fremont, Tuesday
Usually this wouldn’t end up as a top game but Westview can win at least a share of the NECC title. Fremont doesn’t have a top guy like last season and Charlie Yoder has been unstoppable regardless of the opponent. We knew the Warriors would be good, we didn’t know they’d be title good so kudos to Yoder for that, but also to a much improved lineup around him who has gotten stronger all season. Bounce picks Westview
Bishop Luers at New Haven, Tuesday
A decent measuring stick for New Haven, but with Bishop Luers without Demarcus Hudson for the rest of the season, that is a big, long body that they won’t have to counteract the size of New Haven that has given almost everyone else an issue this year. That said, this is the SAC champion and plenty of guys have been able to step into increased pressure roles when needed. Bounce picks Bishop Luers
Blackhawk Christian at Northrop, Thursday
It doesn’t hold the luster that it did a year ago, but also don’t forget that Northrop’s record is kind of deceiving. They are 11-11, but really 10-5 with Qualen Pettus in the lineup and that is a big difference. Devin Baney is important in the post, but it is more important for the Bruins to try and limit Blackhawk Christian shooters. Easier said that done and Zane Burke is ready to battle. Bounce picks Blackhawk Christian
New Haven at South Side, Thursday
Bounce back quickly for New Haven after a tough Wednesday game. And that may be the biggest challenge as going to South Side on Senior Night. This could be a physical, physical contest and I love the idea of seeing Thomas Latham dueling with Treveon Jones. This could be a toss up, maybe my toss up of the week? Bounce picks South Side
Snider at Marion, Friday
Let me say this: there was chirping back at January’s Marion Classic between Giant players and Snider fans. And they weren’t even playing each other. But it has made me want to see this one. As usual, some luster is lost without Jalen Blackmon. BUT, the game will see former Snider post Jermaine Woods (now of Marion) in action against his former team and buckle your seatbelts for Jayshawn Underwood versus JK Thomas. Bounce picks Snider
Warsaw at Carroll, Friday
The Tigers have struggled as of late, and a trip to a momentum driven Carroll is not what you want on the heels of losing five of your last six. Every game Richie Gross gets better and better, built over the years to lead when his number was called. With Jalen Jackson out of the lineup, his number will keep getting called. As I said last week, Carroll is so much better when Ray Vollmer is feeling it offensively. Bounce picks Carroll
Woodlan at Leo, Friday
A good clash of two teams who could possibly see each other a week later in Sectional semi final play. Woodlan has a fairly backloaded schedule and have lost four of their last seven. Two AAU teammates battle here with size as Joe Reidy faces off with DJ Allen. Woodlan has solid defense to make stops so Leo’s shooting doesn’t make a big difference in the prediction, but can the Warriors score enough? Another toss up possibility where you have to give some favor to home court. Bounce picks Leo
Churubusco at Eastside, Friday
If Westview wins on Tuesday, the pressure is on Busco here to try and share the NECC title with a win. Eastside has not been a scape goat all year. They had three major overtime wins earlier in the season and they will take the fight to Busco. That said, Busco certainly has more fight and more bodies to do the fighting. Nobody here can rebound with Landen Jordan, that is just a fact. Bounce picks Churubusco
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