It is conference tournament time! That means a fun week ahead but also a Monday pick column without any ACAC or NECC games.
My competently invisible traveling trophies stayed put last week as both Blackhawk Christian boys and Carroll girls were able to roll over their challengers.
LAST WEEK: 12-5
2020-21 RECORD: 102-37
GIRLS
NORTHROP AT LAKEWOOD PARK, TUESDAY
This could be a major game for the Panthers because they are playing well and Northrop has struggled with teams of Lakewood Park’s style. Chloe Jolloff doesn’t get many chances to show how good she is against SAC opponents, so I like this game for that reason. However, there is a lot of speed in this condensed gym. BOUNCE PICKS NORTHROP
HOMESTEAD AT MISHAWAKA MARIAN, TUESDAY
Another good out of area test for the Spartans. A few weeks ago, this is one you kind of even cringe about. But Homestead today is close to peak Homestead and coming off a win over Lawrence North, they are going to be really energized. BOUNCE PICKS HOMESTEAD
HUNTINGTON NORTH AT WAYNE, WEDNESDAY
Wayne is winning a lot of games right now and this one would make waves. The thing is, Wayne is scoring a ton on their winning streak and the Vikings don’t give up points. Can the Generals win a grind it out battle or does Taylor Double have too much for them? BOUNCE PICKS HUNTINGTON NORTH
BELLMONT AT NORTHROP, THURSDAY
The Squaws are coming off a disappointing loss and Northrop needs this one. Two teams who are going to be scrapping as best as you could hope for in a January non-conference game. BOUNCE PICKS BELLMONT
CARROLL AT BISHOP LUERS, FRIDAY
Luers has high confidence right now and Delaney Bailey is playing her best ball of the season. They could throw a wrench into things in the SAC because their gym is never easy to travel to. But Carroll has been able to overcome every single obstacle and a trip to Luers can’t be that big of one. BOUNCE PICKS CARROLL
HOMESTEAD AT SNIDER, FRIDAY
For the first time in a long time, this is actually an interesting game. These freshmen at Snider, with nothing to lose, are a dangerous group and senior Destiny Jackson is coming off one of her best performances of the season. Do not count Snider out of the upset bid here. Homestead though is more of a complete team than they have been and their experience should mean something. BOUNCE PICKS HOMESTEAD
CARROLL AT CARMEL, SATURDAY
This is another one, that in the grand scheme, doesn’t matter. But here is a reality: if Carroll wants to make a postseason run, they have to get by this team. So this is chalked up to, at the very least, a huge learning experience. What can Carroll learn about Carmel to use down the road in a a possible game that would matter? BOUNCE PICKS CARMEL
HUNTINGTON NORTH AT COLUMBIA CITY, SATURDAY
One of two games on Saturday that will be NE8 eliminators. The loser of this one picks up their second conference loss and is out of the title race. Both of these teams have been playing inspired basketball lately and the big question will always loom: can the Vikings’ defense hold a team down tightly? BOUNCE PICKS HUNTINGTON NORTH
NORWELL AT BELLMONT, SATURDAY
Here is the other one that holds the NE8 fate in its hands. If Bellmont can beat their rival, they will force a late season three way tie at the top of the standings. If Norwell wins, Bellmont is likely out and the Knights inch closer to an outright title. I’m telling you now, with these two teams meeting, throw everything else out because it really is one game at a time and they are both going to give each other their best fight. BOUNCE PICKS NORWELL
BOYS
BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN AT HOMESTEAD, TUESDAY
Why wait any longer. This is the one you are here to see right? The biggest game in Fort Wayne and in Northeast Indiana this season and one of the biggest in the state. Almost gives you goosebumps just thinking about it and how jam packed the stands would be if fans could attend. Heavyweight fight analogies and all that, Furst vs. Goode, Burke vs. Loyer, two lineups that are fantastically talented. So who wins and what does it come down to?
Bounce won’t hesitate here. Blackhawk Christian lost to Homestead last season and that weighs heavily. The Braves are a better team that they were and the pressure of a gym full of top tier college coaches isn’t in the cards like last January. Blackhawk Christian has developed their role players to be better and the Braves have been unbeatable. Homestead though is better too. Their guys have all stepped into bigger roles and there is that whole Fletcher Loyer thing.
If it wasn’t a Tuesday and we weren’t busy previewing the conference tournaments, this thing probably would get a full breakdown. Instead, we look at it this way: flip a coin to make a choice if you aren’t Bounce. This is going to be good and has all of the makings to be great. But I have a hunch and I’m riding with it. BOUNCE PICKS HOMESTEAD
DEKALB AT CARROLL, TUESDAY
The length of Connor Penrod presents some challenges for the Chargers that they don’t normally see in the SAC. Aside from that, Carroll was clicking on all cylinders when we last saw them in 2020 and there is zero reason to expect that to change. BOUNCE PICKS CARROLL
BISHOP DWENGER AT NEW HAVEN, WEDNESDAY
New Haven gets in wars and the Saints are always up for that. This could be a really scrappy battle that helps the Saints get a ton better. New Haven is really big and it is going to push Dwenger to their limits. BOUNCE PICKS NEW HAVEN
CARROLL AT BISHOP LUERS, FRIDAY
Bishop Luers is ready to get back at it after missing some quality games due to quarantine. Here is their chance to alter a SAC race that is going to be down to, at best, two teams in first place after Friday. The Knights aren’t what they were last year but they are battle to get there. Do they have another upset of Carroll in them that we won’t look at like an upset down the line? BOUNCE PICKS CARROLL
CANTERBURY AT LAKEWOOD PARK, FRIDAY
Two good independent teams here and Caedmon Bontrager has been an absolute menace lately for the Panthers, but almost always in losing efforts. This could be another game he dominates and with Will Shank still recovering from injury and out of the Cavalier lineup, expect big Caed to feast. BOUNCE PICKS LAKEWOOD PARK
HOMESTEAD AT SNIDER, FRIDAY
Last year, the Panthers buried the Spartans at the buzzer on a Jon Barnes Jr. miracle heave. There is zero chance Snider wants to get into that kind of back and forth game here. It is start fast, start early and build a lead if they can, that is their only chance. No disrespect to Snider, but they have a huge hill to climb here. BOUNCE PICKS HOMESTEAD
NEW HAVEN AT LEO, FRIDAY
Is the fate of the NE8 up for grabs here? Yes. This is the one, from the beginning of the season, that we’ve been building towards. With conference play just starting, there are plenty of arguments that this isn’t a two horse race yet. But I emphasize yet. Patience is key in this one. He who rushes falters. BOUNCE PICKS LEO
CARROLL AT NEW HAVEN, SATURDAY
Chances are, neither of these teams have much time to look at this one with critical conference games on Friday. But this could be the second best game on the boys basketball schedule this week. Teams have a tendency to shoot themselves out of games against the Bulldogs, so Carroll needs to be careful there. This one is so much closer than many think it will be. BOUNCE PICKS CARROLL
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