Well here is a reality to face: I am going to make a lot of picks that are never going to come to fruition, or at least not in the week I plan to have them happen. COVID cracked several big games last week so lets hope that doesn’t keep up.
Here I am to pick 10 more girls games this week. Let’s hope we don’t have to alter the schedule.
My completely imaginary traveling trophy went nowhere last week. Although Homestead lost, my lone wrong game pick, they weren’t playing in area so that strike won’t count against them too much.
What you won’t find here is Northrop at Concordia Lutheran girls, which will be our first OTH Game of the Weekend of 2020-21 and previewed fully later this week.
LAST WEEK: 7-1
2020-21 RECORD: 7-1
2019-20 RECORD: 139-48 (.743)
GIRLS BASKETBALL
BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN AT EASTSIDE, TUESDAY
The Braves enter this game on a big momentum swing after a 2-0 opening week. Eastside was challenged in their opener, getting down too much to crawl back for a win at Adams Central. Location could matter here as Eastside is strong at home and learned a valuable lesson in not digging a big hole out of the gate. Bounce picks Eastside
BISHOP LUERS AT ADAMS CENTRAL, TUESDAY
One of two Bishop Luers games that are key this week, the Knights hit the road again and look to bounce back from a season opening loss. Meanwhile, Adams Central looked solid in spurts beating Eastside without leading scorer McKenna Dietsch last week. Can they sustain without her in the lineup due to a broken hand? This will be a big challenge for the host Jets with Sage Hammond going to need to control the interior. Bounce picks Bishop Luers
GOSHEN AT LAKELAND, TUESDAY
While some teams have yet to make their debut, Lakeland will be playing their fourth game of the season to start the week. The Lakers are moving at a solid pace to start the season and scoring pretty big time. Bailey Hartsough and Faith Riehl paced the scoring in week one, but underrated was the play of Peyton Hartsough, doing a lot of intangible things. Goshen is solid this season, but can they slow Lakeland’s scoring? Bounce picks Lakeland
EAST NOBLE AT CENTRAL NOBLE, THURSDAY
Game of the Week if we didn’t pin that on a weekend game? Possible. The Knights played great in a 1-1 opening week and Central Noble opened the season by beating a SAC opponent. Any kind of rivalry and all bets are off. This is going to be a great game for matchups where a lot of similar talents are on display. Personally, I want to see Karly Kirkpatrick and Bridgette Gray defending each other. This comes down to play inside. Can CN handle EN’s size and mismatch potential? Can EN play disciplined and not let CN get to the free throw line at will? Bounce picks East Noble
BISHOP DWENGER AT BLUFFTON, THURSDAY
This will be Bishop Dwenger’s second road game of the year after starting their season on Tuesday. And neither of these trips are easy as The Tiger Den is a tough place to play. The Saints have a lot of really good pieces back from a team that started last season 7-0, including beating Bluffton. The Tigers are better quicker this season, but is their depth equal to that of the Saints? Bounce picks Bishop Dwenger
SOUTH SIDE AT BISHOP LUERS, THURSDAY
The Archers have a solid week of scheduled games to kick things off. It is going to be hard for most teams in the area to be able to control the perimeter against the Olivia Smith and CC Calloway and this is no exception. The Knights have good perimeter shooters and defenders, but matching South Side’s speed should prove difficult. Bounce picks South Side
HOMESTEAD AT NORTHRIDGE, THURSDAY
The Spartans got a shock to their system out of the gate last weekend and they are just going to have to be better. Focus is something that is key in this game because Northridge is no joke, especially when hosting Homestead. The Spartans have not lost back to back games during the same season since 2011 and have not lost two in a row to start a season since 2007. Me thinks that this is a hard one, but Rod Parker will have his team more dialed in. Bounce picks Homestead
SNIDER AT HUNTINGTON NORTH, FRIDAY
A fun one for the Panthers here as they are going to get a real test of how their speed and energy can play. Huntington North’s goal will be to limit the offense and run the clock. It is a good early test for Snider in not settling for what the other team lets you have. That said, the Vikings are very good at what they do and more seasoned, overall, at doing it. Bounce picks Huntington North
WEST NOBLE AT NORWELL, FRIDAY
A healthy West Noble could be one that could try and get out and run with the Knights, but if we are getting that is TBD. So we have to think that Norwell is going to really push the pace and make the Chargers work. The return of Lauren Bales to the lineup is big for a team who is already clicking well. Bounce picks Norwell
WOODLAN AT BELLMONT, FRIDAY
As of now, this game is still on the schedule while Bellmont’s game against Concordia earlier in the week will be postponed. If the Squaws get to make their season debut here, it is a big test. We expect Bellmont to be a solid team in the thick of the NE8, but Woodlan has shown strong in the first week. The Warriors kick off a four game road swing here and with their inside play clicking, it will be hard for any team to get the best of them zero games into their season. Bounce picks Woodlan
CHURUBUSCO AT WHITKO, SATURDAY
Two first year head coaches familiar to the area square off and they are both going to push things. Both started their careers 1-0 with Busco’s David Goodwell beating Lakewood Park and Whitko’s Justin Jordan beating his old high school North Side. This however will be Whitko’s third game of the week and second game in two days. That is a lot of basketball for a very young program. Whitko is going to rise much quicker than many will give them credit for but Churubusco has too much experience right now. Bounce picks Churubusco
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