We are headed down the home stretch in a lot of ways, believe it or not. We sit now just six days from the Sectional draw on the girls hoops side and we are around the turn to the back half of boys basketball season as well.
My competently invisible traveling trophies had some movement this week. On the girls side, Carroll’s wins over Concordia Lutheran and Bishop Luers kept them as the holders of the girls crown. On the boys side, Homestead’s win over Blackhawk Christian returned them my traveling trophy that they also had held a season ago.
But, its a new week and that means plenty of new picks on some of the top games in the area.
LAST WEEK: 12-4
2020-21 RECORD: 114-41
GIRLS
BELLMONT AT SNIDER, TUESDAY
It continues to be hard to get a great read on Bellmont as they continue to have big gaps between patches of games. It hurts their ability to be consistent. Snider on the other hand is the team that has everyone’s attention right now. It will be interesting to see how the Panthers handle increased scrutiny but that doesn’t take anything away from their talent. BOUNCE PICKS SNIDER
FAIRFIELD AT CENTRAL NOBLE, TUESDAY
The NECC is in a weird place heading forward. Few teams have a legit shot at the conference crown and if you aren’t one of them, you just are building toward the postseason. Both of these teams want to establish footing in that way. BOUNCE PICKS CENTRAL NOBLE
NORWELL AT JAY COUNTY, TUESDAY
Two big juggernauts clashing is always a good time and these two are queens of their own dominions. The home court helps here even though it’s not a terrible road trip to take for Norwell. As they look to close up conference titles, this is more for bragging rights. Though thus far it has been hard for Jay County to get over the hump against the best of the best in the area. BOUNCE PICKS NORWELL
WARSAW AT HOMESTEAD, TUESDAY
Need a statement win after a tough loss? Here it is for you Homestead…if you can dictate tempo. The last thing the Spartans want to do is stand in a half court offense that leads them to shooting themselves out of this. Warsaw on the other hand will push that into existence if allowed. The Tigers aren’t flashy but they are very good and bend teams to their own tempo. Can the Spartans get out and run a bit? BOUNCE PICKS HOMESTEAD
COLUMBIA CITY AT CONCORDIA, WEDNESDAY
Another set of even keel teams here who want postseason momentum. Expect home court to play a role as the cage at Concordia stays a tough place to visit. The Eagles need to hit shots and do it consistently because getting to the rim could be a bit of an issue. BOUNCE PICKS COLUMBIA CITY
HUNTINGTON NORTH AT BISHOP LUERS, WEDNESDAY
Another fun SAC vs. NE8 battle where the Vikings have a chance to see what their slow me down, speed me up hybrid can do against a team who is used to running. The Knights probably have an advantage in size so they need to look to that to set up their offense. The Vikings meanwhile are right there near where they want to be going to the postseason. Can they push themselves just a bit more? BOUNCE PICKS HUNTINGTON NORTH
SNIDER AT CONCORDIA, FRIDAY
Make another big mark in the SAC? Snider will need to do what others need to (see above) and hit shots so they don’t get swallowed up at the rim. Destiny Jackson though is an important piece to make sure the interior is not all Concordia. BOUNCE PICKS SNIDER
SOUTH SIDE AT CARROLL, FRIDAY
Your biggest game of the week that could go a long way in wrapping up a conference title. Only a long way? Yes. Because of reschedules, this game will be played 8 days before the end of the regular season but each team still has 3 or 4 conference games to play in the last week of the season. So while this maybe could have been the deciding game, it isn’t that quite yet.
Still, the winner comes out as the last unbeaten in conference team. How healthy is South Side? How much does Carroll stick to the mass sub, deep bench plan that got them this far? Far from an easy game for either side. BOUNCE PICKS CARROLL
LAKEWOOD PARK AT BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN, SATURDAY
Possibly a sectional preview with two of the best small class guards going head to head. Chloe Jolloff may have had the better season, and it’s close, but Hailee Kline may have the better supporting cast. That and home court could get you Sectional momentum. BOUNCE PICKS BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN
NORWELL AT ANGOLA, SATURDAY
As much as I loved this matchup at the beginning of the year, I’m kind of glad quarantine postponed it. Both of these teams need to build from this one, a possible Regional preview. They will both tell you a win isn’t the biggest goal here as they both chase conference crowns elsewhere. But with the way each is playing, a win is gigantic for your psyche. Expect a slugfest. BOUNCE PICKS NORWELL
BOYS
SOUTHERN WELLS AT BLUFFTON, MONDAY
A quick bounce back needed here for Bluffton after getting toppled by South Adams for the ACAC Tournament title on Saturday. The Tigers are still in the thick of the ACAC regular season race as they host last place Southern Wells. There needs to be focus from the tip here, Southern Wells can be a dangerous team even if their record doesn’t make it look like it. BOUNCE PICKS BLUFFTON
WEST NOBLE AT EASTSIDE, TUESDAY
Two NECC teams that probably don’t get enough due here and it could be a really fun defensive battle. Both of these teams are incredibly gritty and trying to jockey for position in the NECC standings. We know Austin Cripe can score well for the Chargers, but if Gabe Trevino and Eastside can slow him, who else can step up big? BOUNCE PICKS EASTSIDE
COLUMBIA CITY AT HUNTINGTON NORTH, TUESDAY
Getting back on a consistent basis is huge for the Vikings by getting in a third game in the previous seven days. This could be a good warmup in staying in the swing of things, or it could be a coming out party for Columbia City if they can hit some shots. BOUNCE PICKS HUNTINGTON NORTH
BISHOP LUERS AT BISHOP DWENGER, FRIDAY
Any battle of the Bishops is a fun one to watch and this should be no exception. The Saints haven’t been talked about a lot this season, but Brenden Lytle is coming off a big performance last Friday and shouldn’t be anyone to forget about. Bishop Luers has a ton of fight and played very well in defeat last week as freshman Isaac Zay is becoming a very reliable go-to. BOUNCE PICKS BISHOP LUERS
NORTH SIDE AT HOMESTEAD, FRIDAY
Here is the chance for substance to shine. North Side’s raw potential could throw the biggest wrench into the SAC if they can win this one. Homestead can’t be complacent with what they have done and who they have on Saturday on their minds. I think they learned that lesson last season though so while the Legends have fight, the Spartans are on a different level. BOUNCE PICKS HOMESTEAD
WOODLAN AT HERITAGE, FRIDAY
Big ACAC implications here as Heritage remains one of two conference unbeaten and Woodlan is still in the thick of things too. Just a couple of years ago, the battles between these two teams were legendary and a back and forth between Joe Reidy and Luke Saylor could bring that back real quick. BOUNCE PICKS WOODLAN
HOMESTEAD AT LAWRENCE NORTH, SATURDAY
Here is that Saturday game that Homestead can’t look all the way forward to this week. But they better be on their game traveling to Lawrence North. These are, according the IBCA, the top two teams in the entire state on the boys side. While it could be a game we see again come tournament time, bragging rights are actually pretty big here in the regular season as they are combined 27-0. Homestead has won some impressive games this year and betting against Chris Johnson is always silly. That said, my head leans the other way. Yet, I think I am going to be the homer here. BOUNCE PICKS HOMESTEAD
LEO AT EAST NOBLE, SATURDAY
Leo has the whole week to prepare for this and their build to trying to win the NE8. The conference schedule ahead isn’t anything to scoff at. Can East Noble hit enough shots that the inside opens up for Chris Hood. And then, is he improved enough to beat both DJ Allen and Zach Troyer? The Lions’ depth is improving consistently and even if things all fall into place for East Noble, that is still a hard shell to crack. Watch for the intangibles to come into play and I have to side with the likes of Xavier Middleton and Ayden Ruble with those. BOUNCE PICKS LEO
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