Bounce’s Picks for the Week of January 29

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.

Leave it to Bounce to have his best week of the season this close to the end. Though, the girls have been the thorn in my side all season with some really tough games to predict. In the end, it was a girls game that gave me my one miss last week.

No girls picks here now as you can see my picks to win Sectional titles this week previewing all of the area Sectionals. So just down to boys games, it means Bounce picks results of 10 games on the boys side this week.

LAST WEEK: 8-1

OVERALL THIS SEASON: 66-42

BOYS

WAYNE AT CANTERBURY, TUESDAY

Canterbury is 6-2 since they’ve had their full lineup and are winners of their last five. Their struggles have been in losses to teams who can bring significant length and aggression with that length. That is not something you want to be working through against Wayne with Trey Dillard, Preston Comer and Kharrington Terry causing havoc lately. BOUNCE PICKS WAYNE

DEKALB AT LEO, THURSDAY

Leo needs to have a good get back game after two losses last week and the longer that usual layoff should help them deal with any nagging injuries, especially after playing without third leading scorer Nolan Hiteshew much of the last two games. DeKalb has been trading wins and losses and likewise wants some balance before the postseason. Mistakeless basketball is key for both squads. While the NE8 looks out of both of these team’s hands, expect a shootout with the likes of Caden Pettis and Jackson McGee. BOUNCE PICKS LEO

EAST NOBLE AT BELLMONT, THURSDAY

Not the biggest NE8 game on the schedule this week, but still a very important one. Bellmont made noise again last weekend with a 20 point win over Leo while East Noble got pushed back with a tough 3 point loss to Norwell. That said, the Knights are still in the NE8 race and could alter a lot with a win here. The problem is, they have lost 4 of their last 5 and its becoming increasingly clear that Kobe Ritchie’s absence to injury doesn’t help when you look at the length Bellmont can play with. BOUNCE PICKS BELLMONT

CONCORDIA AT ANGOLA, THURSDAY

Two teams from the same Sectional, a win over the other would be significant when it comes to sooner-than-you-think postseason momentum. Concordia has certainly been as competitive as any area team that is under .500 during this calendar year. BOUNCE PICKS CONCORDIA

SOUTH SIDE AT WOODLAN, SATURDAY

Don’t look now but Woodlan has won three in a row and 4 of their last 5. After some bumps along the way, they are getting more balance lately in their lineup behind Braden Smith’s always strong output. Some of that has come with big man Oliver Adams getting more comfortable inside. It comes down to who from South can defend Smith and who from Woodlan can defend Cadell Wallace. BOUNCE PICKS WOODLAN

HERITAGE AT BLUFFTON, SATURDAY

This was a really fun game when it happened in the ACAC Tournament semi finals earlier this month. Since then though, it seems like Heritage has blossomed significantly, almost knocking off Adams Central in their rematch. That growth alone takes away most pause in picking this one. BOUNCE PICKS HERITAGE

COLUMBIA CITY AT NORWELL, SATURDAY

Here is the game of the boys week right here. Two teams tied with Bellmont at the top of the wild and wacky NE8. Winner gets to keep holding onto first place and maybe alone if East Noble pulls a Thursday night upset. Norwell has been a massive surprise and Columbia City has been the team that nobody really wants to play if it gets close. Toss a coin on this one, but expect The Castle to be rocking even for a 1:30 game as Norwell faithful are going for a twofer…claim the lead in the NE8 on the boys side and later that night get a girls Sectional title. That is their plan. BOUNCE PICKS NORWELL

NORTH SIDE AT LAWRENCE NORTH, SATURDAY

This is a game that is all about sharpening yourself against one of the state’s best. North Side has been looking much better lately and Jaxson Fugate may have been at his smoothest at times in last week’s overtime win against Leo. That said, the Wildcats are 17-0 and winning by almost 20 points per game for a reason. BOUNCE PICKS LAWRENCE NORTH

FREMONT AT CANTERBURY, SATURDAY

We talked about Canterbury already and this is one that the Cavs should have the advantage in unless Fremont gets hot, because when they do they get real hot. Conner Slee hit 9 three pointers in a game last week, while Corbin Beeman was one off the school’s record for steals in a game that same night. Look for this to be an intense inside battle with two strong guys in Canterbury’s Tucker Day and Fremont’s Bryce Parnin both trying to impose their will while staying out of foul trouble in the process. BOUNCE PICKS CANTERBURY

LAVILLE AT WEST NOBLE, SATURDAY

What is it about West Noble? They have taken a step back from last season but they are still so feisty. Their last two games as of press time are a near comeback loss against Fremont and a monumental upset of Fairfield. They get Westview earlier in the week before this and that may show what kind of momentum they have on Saturday. LaVille only has one common foe to their schedule; a 10 point loss to those Westview Warriors. If you don’t know LaVille’s Collin Czarnecki yet, probably pay attention to the 6-3 shooting guard. BOUNCE PICKS LAVILLE

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