Another week, another chance to be great. After a well needed holiday resting season for yours truly, I am back with more game picks as we head down the stretch of girls basketball season and into the the (near) second half of boys season.
Each week, Bounce will pick (around) 10 games on the girls side and another (around) 10 on the boys side. Looking to highlight the big games and the best matchups in the area. Unlike Blitz, we can’t quite pick every game because we don’t get to only play on Fridays, am I right?
If you know how Bounce picks, you know its different than that prognosticating bear in the fall. No projected scores or spreads here. Basketball is too unpredictable for silliness like that.
LAST TIME: 14-2
THIS SEASON: 75-18
LAST SEASON: 136-66
BOYS
EAST NOBLE AT WESTVIEW, TUESDAY
Things have been on the upswing for the Knights since Carson Waltke joined the lineup just before Christmas. This is by far the biggest test for them though as Westview’s duo of Austin Schlabach and Kaden Grau have just been demolishing everyone. BOUNCE PICKS WESTVIEW
FAIRFIELD AT GOSHEN, TUESDAY
Something has to give as 6-0 Fairfield takes on 7-0 Goshen as they represent two of just 16 remaining unbeaten boys teams in the state. The Falcons have been getting a big boost from Parker Smith as of late, as well as flexing their depth. This could be the game of the week. BOUNCE PICKS FAIRFIELD
WOODLAN AT LEO, TUESDAY
As things are changing at Leo, they need to continue to see different players step up in bigger roles. They got that out of Jonah Lagrange last weekend in a win over Tippecanoe Valley. Can the Lions continue to see a push from their younger guys? BOUNCE PICKS LEO
NEW HAVEN AT SNIDER, TUESDAY
Two of the toughest, deepest and most athletic teams in the north half of the state face off in this one. Hope you’ve got your running shoes on because the pace that this one is likely to set is going to be a torrid one. BOUNCE PICKS NEW HAVEN
ANGOLA AT PRAIRIE HEIGHTS, FRIDAY
You’ll see Bounce talk alot about conference tournament momentum this week and here is one int he NECC. Both teams are still at the top of the conference standings, but a loss here hurts those hopes for either one. BOUNCE PICKS ANGOLA
EAST NOBLE AT HUNTINGTON NORTH, FRIDAY
East Noble wants to keep momentum rolling to stay in the NE8 conversation and Huntington North wants to stay unbeaten in the NE8. This is a great clash of styles, but eyes have to be on the depth that the Vikings have been able to showcase lately. In both of their holiday tournaments, they were able to see some younger guys step into key roles. BOUNCE PICKS HUNTINGTON NORTH
NORTH SIDE AT WAYNE, FRIDAY
North Side has found their way into the win column and Wayne has been able to pick up strong wins early too. This is a great battle of two incredibly athletic teams and two fiery coaches. Expect this to be a slugfest for 32 minutes. BOUNCE PICKS NORTH SIDE
HOMESTEAD AT SOUTH SIDE, FRIDAY
South Side is 12-0 for the first time since the 1966-67 season that saw Willie Long take them to the state finals. All of the sudden, this game that probably wasn’t on too many radars in the preseason could decide the eventual SAC champion. There may be no harder game to pick this week or maybe even this season. BOUNCE PICKS SOUTH SIDE
BELLMONT AT COLUMBIA CITY, SATURDAY
Columbia City is still the head of the class in the NE8, but with the continued emergence of Daniel Selking as one of the best scorers in Northeast Indiana, Bellmont is far better than they were a season ago. Selking can make a big statement here, but the Eagles are likely to have too much power on their side of things. BOUNCE PICKS COLUMBIA CITY
GIRLS
CARROLL AT NORWELL, TUESDAY
Norwell is back after a much needed break, not playing since December 27. The Knights were the #1 team in the state before falling in the Hall of Fame Classic finals; they have now lost three in a row but those losses come to teams that are a combined 42-8. BOUNCE PICKS NORWELL
EASTSIDE AT DEKALB, TUESDAY
Speaking of teams looking to get back into the swing, the Blazers have lost two in a row after winning their first 13 of the season. With top NECC challenger Fairfield and the conference tournament both on the agenda, Eastside needs this one. They will need to be patient against their county foe however as DeKalb’s defense has been an improving mark all season. BOUNCE PICKS EASTSIDE
HAMILTON AT NORTH SIDE, TUESDAY
The Marines are sitting at three wins and have not surpassed that total since the 2016-2017 season. Meanwhile, North Side has struggled to compete and to keep a steady number of players as they sit winless. We don’t want to highlight that part as the Legends have gotten some strong individual performances this year but it could a big night for Hamilton. BOUNCE PICKS HAMILTON
ANGOLA AT EAST NOBLE, WEDNESDAY
Both of these teams come in with strengths as Angola is finding more depth and East Noble is on a solid run. The Hornets are in need of momentum before next week’s NECC Tournament and a trip to the Big Blue Pit could help if they are on their game. Right now though, East Noble may have the NECC’s number after a big end of December win against the leaders of the NECC standings. BOUNCE PICKS EAST NOBLE
BLUFFTON AT JAY COUNTY, FRIDAY
A major ACAC tilt and we could talk about how important this is for momentum as well with the ACAC Tournament coming up, but most importantly is the fact that the loser of this is officially out of the conference regular season race with Woodlan holding wins over both. No more powerful motivation than not wanting to pack in the rest of the conference season. BOUNCE PICKS BLUFFTON
EASTSIDE AT FAIRFIELD, FRIDAY
The big one in the NECC? While Fremont remains a top contender too, these two teams always put on a good show. Both of their battles last season in the regular season and conference play were fun contests where Eastside ran away a bit in the second half. What does this year have in store? BOUNCE PICKS EASTSIDE
NORWELL AT LEO, FRIDAY
Another important one for Norwell, who while down as of this article running, are still at the forefront of the NE8. Leo has been a solid group who has defended and shot the ball well and present a challenge that the Knights don’t want to overlook. BOUNCE PICKS NORWELL
WEST NOBLE AT LAKELAND, FRIDAY
Two NECC teams who have improved quite a bit this season, these two teams are all about momentum. They want to make big splashes, a win over a fellow improving program helps. BOUNCE PICKS LAKELAND
ELKHART AT HOMESTEAD, SATURDAY
Elkhart comes into the week at 11-4 and are the start of a run of 5 (of 6) games in a row to finish the regular season that Homestead really wants to and/or needs to win. This is a challenge for the Spartans, but they have also won 12 of their last 13. BOUNCE PICKS HOMESTEAD
NORTHRIDGE AT WARSAW, SATURDAY
The Tigers are the top team in the state, shattering records and marks almost every game at this point. The Raiders are a high octane team that aren’t exactly struggling this season. That said, is anyone a match for Warsaw as of today? BOUNCE PICKS WARSAW
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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