Each week, Bounce will pick the results of a handful of the best girls games and handful of the best boys games in the area.
These picks will not include any games in the NECC or ACAC Tournaments, but please do take some time to check out those tournament previews elsewhere on OutsideTheHuddle.net!
LAST WEEK: 7-3
OVERALL THIS SEASON: 43-33
GIRLS
Northrop at Bellmont, Tuesday
An intriguing out of conference matchup with both teams needing to save some for conference games over the weekend. Though a win for either team is still a nice feather in the cap. Northrop looked far more discombobulated in their loss last weekend than Bellmont. Bounce picks Bellmont
Lakewood Park at Whitko, Thursday
An underrated battle as Whitko has quietly put together a really nice season. Can their defensive package slow down the Panthers’ Ava McGrade, one of the best consistent scorers in the area, period? I’m not sure Whitko can slow McGrade, but I think I have more faith in them this week overall. Bounce picks Whitko
Snider at Homestead, Friday
The SAC is all but on the line Friday night and this game has really lived up to the hype for years and years. For Snider, this is the season to build for. As good as they have been, you want to win the most when your star studded class are seniors. Homestead, on the other hand, have more years for their young core to peak. Nothing is given in this one, but the Donahue/Poole/Sims trio isn’t going to go quietly into the night. Bounce picks Snider
Bellmont at Norwell, Saturday
From the SAC on the line to the NE8 partially on the line. If anyone is going to get a split with Norwell for the title, this is likely the last good chance at anyone taking them down. Bellmont is a dangerous team anyway and when it comes to this classic rivalry, all bets are off. Seriously, is any girls hoops area rivalry in the last 10 years better than this one? The Castle makes a difference, as it often does. Bounce picks Norwell
Columbia City at Huntington North, Saturday
While Columbia City is going to be hoping for a Bellmont win, they can’t look past a Huntington North squad who strung together a great win before recent bumps in the road. The Vikings are not a layup, but the Eagles handle business and hope Bellmont does the same. Bounce picks Columbia City
BOYS
Homestead at Blackhawk Christian, Tuesday
The least luster on this game in a while, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a fun one still. Here is a matchup that intrigues me: Owen Smith of Homestead, fresh off a nice game in a win over South Side versus Blackhawk Christian’s Bryce Sefton. Neither have been given a ton of attention but both have helped move the needle for their teams. Bounce picks Blackhawk Christian
Norwell at Wayne, Tuesday
Fresh off a big win over Leo, what does Norwell have in the tank here? In reality, the Knights want to keep momentum but far more focus is going to be on their weekend conference game. Meanwhile, I wouldn’t want to be in the way of a Wayne team rebounding from a disappointing Saturday loss. I am intrigued to see how Ashton Federspiel scores against a high end SAC team, but guard wise Wayne may be too quick. Bounce picks Wayne
North Side at Canterbury, Tuesday
Canterbury’s win over Leo was huge last week, but their loss to Manchester was a bit surprising. Does that say more about Manchester than it does Canterbury? The Cavaliers are going to have growing pains in getting four guys into the lineup that haven’t been and I think we saw that over the weekend. North Side however has to find a way to play up after their disappointing loss at Wayne on Friday. Jordan King was a real revelation on Friday and the trust North is putting into him as a third option is nice; he was chosen to shoot technical free throws and knocked down a three against Wayne. This is a sleeper for maybe even one of the best non conference games in the area this season. Bounce picks North Side
Norwell at Bellmont, Friday
The NE8 got crazy last week and it should stay that way the rest of the season. Bellmont feels a bit slighted and you have to think that’s a motivation for this Friday. I’ll be the first one to say that I think Bellmont is the better team, but after watching Norwell last Saturday against Leo, do I think any Brave can stop Ashton Federspiel? Expect stellar guard play here, but one team has a better ability to spread out the ball currently. Bounce picks Norwell
Manchester at Wabash, Saturday
A rematch of a recent Wabash win that helped them become county champions. Coming off a dominant win and a marquee win last week, you’d have to think that the Squires are more up for the challenge this time. They will have to guard a Wabash perimeter headlined by Isaac Wright and Trevor Daughtry, but will the Apaches actually be able to stop Gavin Betten from going crazy this time? Bounce picks Manchester
These opinions represent those of Bounce and Outside the Huddle. No opinions expressed on Outside the Huddle represent those of any of our advertisers. Follow Bounce on Twitter at Bounce_OTH
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