After a fun (and successful) week picking the ACAC and NECC tournaments we’re back to picking games from the whole area. And there are several matchups that I love this week.
Last week: 16-2
Overall: 99-34 (.744)
Girls
Fairfield at Central Noble, Tuesday
The Falcons just got the best of the Cougars in the NECC Tournament championship on Saturday night. Central Noble showed it can play with Fairfield for three quarters. This matchup likely decides the regular season conference title. What adjustments will be made in the span of three days? That will be the fun part to watch in this one. BOUNCE PICKS FAIRFIELD
Northrop at South Bend Washington, Wednesday
This is a big one. These are arguably the best two teams in the northern half of, not just Class 4A, the whole state. The Panthers are still loaded with Division-I talent lead by Maryland commit Amiyah Reynolds and Rashunda Jones, who will be playing at Purdue next year. This will be the Bruins’ biggest test to date and they’ll need to throw everything, including the kitchen sink, at Washington to slow them down. Even then, it might not be enough. BOUNCE PICKS SOUTH BEND WASHINGTON
Warsaw at Homestead, Wednesday
This one might not be at the level of the matchup listed above, but should be a very good game. The Spartans suffered their first loss since November last Friday in an overtime loss to Snider. The Tigers are a deep team that will push the Spartans. BOUNCE PICKS HOMESTEAD
Columbia City at DeKalb, Friday
The Eagles have had to scrap and claw their way to their last two conference wins. Their next two shouldn’t be as difficult, which will result in the outright NE8 title. BOUNCE PICKS COLUMBIA CITY
Eastside at Central Noble, Friday
If the Cougars do beat the Falcons on Tuesday, then this matchup becomes very important in deciding the conference. Central Noble easily handled the Blazers in the NECC semis, but something tells me that the rematch will be much closer. BOUNCE PICKS CENTRAL NOBLE
Snider at Northridge, Saturday
Snider is playing its best basketball of the season right now and would love another crack at Northrop, which they’ll likely get in the sectional at DeKalb. The Raiders are a very good defensive team that will be able to matchup with the Panthers but not to slow them down. BOUNCE PICKS SNIDER
Penn at Carroll, Saturday
The Chargers appeared to have righted the ship and at the right time. Penn can be overwhelming defensively which will give the Chargers fits. BOUNCE PICKS PENN
South Adams at Woodlan, Saturday
Both teams ran into conference juggernaut Jay County in the ACAC Tourney last week. The Warriors have the size advantage and will win this game in the post. BOUNCE PICKS WOODLAN
Boys
Carroll at Fishers, Tuesday
More and more people are jumping on the Carroll bandwagon and rightfully so. The Chargers are improving but are they at the level needed to beat a program like Fishers? Don’t let the Tigers’ 7-8 record fool you. BOUNCE PICKS FISHERS
Concord at Warsaw, Friday
The Tigers were beaten at the buzzer at Goshen on Friday but still have a chance to win the NLC. Warsaw is still looking for some consistency, which can be hard to find in a tough conference. BOUNCE PICKS WARSAW
North Side at Homestead, Friday
The last two unbeatens in the SAC. North Side has been playing well despite missing some starters, and Homestead has scuffled a bit to start the new year. Feels like the Spartans are ripe for the picking in what could be the SAC decider. BOUNCE PICKS NORTH SIDE
West Noble at Fremont, Friday
The Chargers had a big week by winning the NECC Tournament. The target in their back is getting larger and Fremont is a team that can knock them off, especially with how well they can shoot from three. But will they? Nah. BOUNCE PICKS WEST NOBLE
Woodlan at Heritage, Friday
The Patriots are the last unbeaten in the ACAC but that won’t last for long. The Warriors let me down as my pick to win the conference tournament. Don’t let me down again. BOUNCE PICKS WOODLAN
Huntington North at Bellmont, Saturday
The Braves are winless in conference play but have been in every game. Expect a low scoring game with the Vikings coming to Decatur. BOUNCE PICKS BELLMONT
Manchester at Adams Central, Saturday
I knew the Flying Jets were capable of winning the ACAC Tournament because they were my favorites to win the conference before the season. They are finally playing at the level I knew they are capable of and it’ll be hard to pick against them the rest of the way. BOUNCE PICKS ADAMS CENTRAL
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