Bounce’s Picks for the Week of February 5

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.

This week, girls picks return as I will predict the morning semi state games for each of our three area teams remaining.

LAST WEEK: 8-2

OVERALL THIS SEASON: 80-48

BOYS

HOMESTEAD AT EAST NOBLE, TUESDAY

Non conference games this late in the season don’t get exciting enough but with East Noble having a really solid year, I like this one between coach Brandon Durnell and his own high school coach Chris Johnson. Teacher versus pupil matchups are always fun. BOUNCE PICKS HOMESTEAD

JAY COUNTY AT NORWELL, FRIDAY

This was certainly a more intriguing matchup a couple of weeks ago for different reasons. Now, Jay County’s two game skid means there are more questions about them than there were heading towards the end of the season. BOUNCE PICKS NORWELL

FREMONT AT CENTRAL NOBLE, FRIDAY

Key NECC game here as the Cougars are still in a line to compete for the conference title while Fremont has to be on cloud nine with last week’s performances, even with a loss to Fairfield. Cayden Hufnagle and Trevor Guthrie continue to step up week after week for the Eagles and Central Noble is a well known foe. This one could be very good and its intriguing to see if Fremont can get over the hump against a top 4 team in conference. BOUNCE PICKS FREMONT

CARROLL AT HOMESTEAD, FRIDAY

One of the best rivalry games in the area could live up to preseason expectations after both teams weren’t exactly where we once expected them to be. Carroll’s play has come on stronger as of late, as has Cannen Houser, while Will Jamison’s return for Homestead will continue to be a unique intangible. Homestead’s depth and how they’ve been forced to develop it this season is their major headline heading down the home stretch. BOUNCE PICKS HOMESTEAD

BISHOP LUERS AT NORTH SIDE, FRIDAY

Just bragging rights at stake here but knowing these two programs, bragging rights are still of high importance. Luers is still one of the best teams in Northeast Indiana despite an upset loss last week, while North Side is undoubtedly eager to level in some momentum with the Sectional draw looming. Expect this one to go either way depending on who gets hot, but the consistency so far plays a role in this pick. BOUNCE PICKS BISHOP LUERS

BISHOP LUERS AT BELLMONT, SATURDAY

Back to the Lu with a fun Saturday non conference game. Bellmont has done their work, for now, and can really open a lot of eyes if they can pull off an upset here. Decatur is becoming an increasingly difficult place to play and the Braves’ shooting has them highly in consideration. Can they match the way up tempo way that Luers plays, especially if the Knights are hitting too? BOUNCE PICKS BISHOP LUERS

ADAMS CENTRAL AT NORTH SIDE, SATURDAY

And back to North Side, also for a non-conference game Saturday against a conference champion. Expect this one to be a lot of fun because Adams Central isn’t your typical ACAC team, they will run with North and have fun doing it. Isaac Schultz versus anyone North throws at him on the inside is intriguing and North is solid in the fact that they have 3-4 guys they can throw at him that will give him completely different looks. Expect a dog fight that is my early pick for game of the week with a winner being harder than you think to project. BOUNCE PICKS NORTH SIDE

WOODLAN AT BISHOP DWENGER, SATURDAY

Woodlan got a strong effort from Trey Yoder last week that was really critical as they turn toward the postseason themselves. Again, a strong interior matchup could be the difference in this one because Caleb Lehrman has been one of the best posts in the area all season. BOUNCE PICKS BISHOP DWENGER

GIRLS SEMI STATE MORNING GAMES

BISHOP LUERS VS LAPEL AT LOGANSPORT, SATURDAY

This is a pretty fun matchup with both teams sporting strong seasons and Lapel only registering one loss in the calendar year 2024. Sophomore Laniah Wills is a double double machine and I am eagerly looking forward to seeing her against Addie Shank do battle for the right to advance to Saturday night’s title game. BOUNCE PICKS BISHOP LUERS

NORWELL VS HAMILTON HEIGHTS AT HUNTINGTON NORTH, SATURDAY

The draw that you don’t want if you are Norwell. Hamilton Heights and Camryn Runner are scoring machines. The Norwell defense will need to be as stout as they have been all season to beat a team who hasn’t lost since December 14 and ended the Knights season one year ago. Can the Knights do it? Absolutely. And playing in a gym they know is a major benefit for them as well. I don’t want to, but I have to go with my gut here because I think they will be the 3A state champs. BOUNCE PICKS HAMILTON HEIGHTS

HOMESTEAD VS LAKE CENTRAL AT LAPORTE, SATURDAY

Happy to see Homestead not draw Noblesville in the morning game but that potential rematch shouldn’t distract them from a Lake Central team with a pretty strong resume, including last weekend’s semi-upset of South Bend Washington. Of note: nobody on Lake Central averages double digit scoring, but they have five that average eight or more, while Homestead boasts 3-4 players that could each go for 20-plus, easily. BOUNCE PICKS HOMESTEAD

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