Girls season picks are mostly over for now – I may pick some postseason crowns at some point, but no more girls in this weekly column. This week’s picks are sparse as girls Sectional play draws the attention to the point there are only less than two handfuls of boys games across the state on Friday night.
Each week, Bounce will pick Games on the boys side for the rest of the season. 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: 11-3
THIS SEASON: 110-33
LAST SEASON: 136-66
BOYS GAMES
BISHOP LUERS AT NORWELL, WEDNESDAY
A fun one between two teams near the midway of their conferences, but ones playing really good basketball. There are a couple of fun tempos to be played here in the battle of Knights, with Luers looking solid even in recent losses. Zen Szaferski for Luers is a key player to watch in this one. Norwell has been tough, do they have enough fire power? BOUNCE PICKS BISHOP LUERS
DEKALB AT LEO, THURSDAY
The NE8 race isn’t a tight one, but DeKalb needs this one to stay alive. It is interesting though, these are two teams with ups and downs throughout the season. Leo is relying on a lot of inexperience and at times it has shined. But with DeKalb coming off a big week, perhaps their biggest of the season, you want some more consistency against them. BOUNCE PICKS DEKALB
HUNTINGTON NORTH AT CARROLL, THURSDAY
The Vikings need a bounce back game and they will have to try and manufacture that against a team that just upset a SAC co-leader themselves last week. This is going to be arguably the game of the week, which is impressive considering what Saturday has on tap. A close one here. BOUNCE PICKS HUNTINGTON NORTH
WEST NOBLE AT WESTVIEW, THURSDAY
On paper, you’d think this is a no brainer for the NECC leaders. But West Noble has been able to be a surprise sometimes. The Chargers open the week 5-9 but have competed with Fairfield, Angola and Prairie Heights in conference. Don’t expect West Noble to be a pushover…and after missing last week’s win over Eastside, is Austin Schlabach back for Westview? BOUNCE PICKS WESTVIEW
COLUMBIA CITY AT NORWELL, SATURDAY
The first listed game of a massive area Saturday slate. Both teams are still fighting for hope in the NE8 but a loss here knocks you potentially out of it. Columbia City has secured some big wins this season and were so close to owning a conference lead last Saturday before falling to New Haven. BOUNCE PICKS COLUMBIA CITY
BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN AT WESTVIEW, SATURDAY
A game that means nothing but momentum, the Braves could make a big statement against one of the area’s best teams. But also, in just year two of this series, Blackhawk players are going to have an eye opening experience walking into Westview for a road game. The Warriors are capable of doing far more than getting whistled into the win column. Who does Blackhawk have that can play big enough on Kaden Grau? BOUNCE PICKS WESTVIEW
NORTH SIDE AT WARSAW, SATURDAY
Though an up and down season for the Tigers, this is a big one for North Side. If they can walk into the Tiger Den and make a statement, it puts the SAC and their Sectional on notice as we come down the stretch of the season. Warsaw’s length versus North Side’s athleticism is something to watch, but also remember how unconscious Sebastian Moore shot the ball against Warsaw last season. BOUNCE PICKS NORTH SIDE
HERITAGE AT BLUFFTON, SATURDAY
The ACAC isn’t on the line here but there are certainly aspects that put the title in jeopardy for either team with a loss. Heritage just won by 13 a couple of weeks ago against Bluffton in the ACAC Tournament. Since then, the Tigers are 3-1 and the Patriots are 2-1. Heading into Bluffton is never easy, but is Heritage willing to fumble the ACAC this close to the end of the season? BOUNCE PICKS HERITAGE
NEW HAVEN AT HUNTINGTON NORTH, SATURDAY
How about some matinee hoops for the NE8 title? 2:30 is the start time as 5-0 New Haven faces 4-1 Huntington North, both with recent wins over preseason NE8 favorite Columbia City. This game comes down to tempo. Whoever can control the pace of this game wins this game. BOUNCE PICKS NEW HAVEN
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