Well we are down to the wire on boys basketball season now with just two weeks left in the regular season. Most of the “big” and “important” games are done, but we still have some left and we also have some really fun matchups left on the plate.
You know Homestead boys retained their completely invisible Bounce Traveling Trophy last week with two dominant SAC wins. They have just one more defense of it this season and you’ll read more about that below.
Here are my picks for the week.
LAST WEEK: 19-5
2020-21 RECORD: 161-59
BOYS
CHURUBUSCO AT LAKELAND, MONDAY
Jackson Paul has been playing some of the best basketball of his career down the stretch of the season and has been practically unguardable. When someone does slow him, he makes unbelievable passes (see the win over Wayne). That is no bueno for Busco opponents. BOUNCE PICKS CHURUBUSCO
BELLMONT AT ANGOLA, TUESDAY
Both of these teams have made a habit out of getting into shootouts lately and I love it. I think both are better overall than expected to be this season and it has made for some exciting basketball games, win or lose. Angola has to stop Tyler James from having another efficient night, but I think home court helps here. BOUNCE PICKS ANGOLA
BLUFFTON AT SOUTH ADAMS, TUESDAY
Even with the ACAC determined, this is going to be a really fun high end ACAC game. The rematch of the ACAC Tournament final should not disappoint on the same court…with the same outcome? BOUNCE PICKS SOUTH ADAMS
COLUMBIA CITY AT MANCHESTER, TUESDAY
When we talk about underrated area players, Manchester’s Weston Hamby has to be at the top of the list as he exists outside of the area’s four main conferences. This is a chance for him to make an impact one last time to Fort Wayne area fans in a game where he will be really challenged defensively by the Eagles. This is going to be a fun little Tuesday outing. BOUNCE PICKS MANCHESTER
BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN AT MARION, TUESDAY
For one last time, we will get to see Jalen Blackmon of Marion take on middle school teammates Caleb Furst and Marcus Davidson. There are a lot of Fort Wayne area ties with Marion with the Blackmon family and other former area players Jermaine Woods and Dominic Cardwell. The question remains is how to slow the Braves’ multiple weapons especially when you don’t have your own big quality post. BOUNCE PICKS BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN
CENTRAL NOBLE AT WHITKO, WEDNESDAY
Not enough love is given to Whitko as they sit on the fringe of our area but this is a solid team and Brett Sickafoose is a matchup problem for almost anyone. That said, the Cougars are on a mission right now and its not stopping anytime soon. BOUNCE PICKS CENTRAL NOBLE
WOODLAN AT SOUTH ADAMS, WEDNESDAY
These games are always fun, something you hear quite a lot about the ACAC. Maybe more so than other conferences, teams who are out of the title picture in this conference almost always still get up for a bragging rights game too. This is what we have here. Could Woodlan have beaten the Starfires in the tournament final if a buzzer beater hadn’t knocked them out? I really like Woodlan’s young core and Joe Reidy is playing like the clear best player in the ACAC, but the staunch senior line of South Adams is tough. BOUNCE PICKS SOUTH ADAMS
SNIDER AT SOUTH SIDE, FRIDAY
Both of these teams want some postseason bragging rights and something to build on. They’ve been in games, won some and lost some. Who has the best gas tank moving forward? BOUNCE PICKS SNIDER
HOMESTEAD AT CARROLL, FRIDAY
Here is the big one. SAC title on the line between the conference’s newest teams. We will have an outright champion for the first time in several years in the SAC. Carroll has had a really good year. Homestead…they’ve had a really great year. It is that simple of a divide. BOUNCE PICKS HOMESTEAD
BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN AT INDIANAPOLIS ATTUCKS, SATURDAY
The Braves continue to not make life easy on themselves and after a two loss week last week, the tasks pick up again this week, just on the road instead if the confines of home. Attucks is very tough with two 6-foot-7 posts and Isaiah Stafford’s high level scoring ability. This is another one to push the Braves. Will they respond after last week left a bad taste in their mouths? BOUNCE PICKS BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN
RICHMOND AT WAYNE, SATURDAY
It is always interesting when former Fort Wayne coach Shabaz Khaliq takes on an area school. He’s done it in previous seasons but will be unique for him to be back in a Fort Wayne gym. Wayne is in a solid but great place as they defend their home court against a coach who has had a ton of success on it in the past. Call this one a bit of a toss up. BOUNCE PICKS RICHMOND
WEST NOBLE AT ANGOLA, SATURDAY
You know what you are getting here with Angola, we’ve already mentioned that in this prediction column. West Noble is a hard charging squad that really still plays like they have a lot to prove. You have to admire that so late in the season. BOUNCE PICKS WEST NOBLE
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