A new season is finally upon us and you know that every week Bounce is going to be up for making some predictions about the big games ahead.
Unfortunately for my adoring fans, and those who follow that furball in the fall, Bounce can’t quite pick games like football does. Picking every single game would be fun but it would also wear out Bounce’s little fingers to do that. So instead, each week Bounce will pick the top area games and predict those.
We will start now with the top girls games and in a few weeks, we will mix in the top boys games of the week as well. Bounce also won’t be picking potential points spreads here. Just winners and losers. But that ain’t new. So lets see how I do to tip things off…
LAST SEASON: 161-56
2024-25 SEASON: 136-66
NORWELL AT DELTA, TUESDAY
Northeast Indiana teams open play on Tuesday and this leads as one of the most intriguing games. Norwell has a lot to replace so it will be interesting to see who steps up initially for the Knights in this one. Delta is coming off a 16 win season and has a new head coach. When the teams last met in 2025’s semi state game, it was a blowout win for Norwell. BOUNCE PICKS NORWELL
EAST NOBLE AT GARRETT, TUESDAY
Both teams have massive holes in their lineups from a year ago with each team losing a top performer. This is going to really tell a tale of development last season between the Knights’ JV team and Garrett’s bench since they didn’t have a JV last season. Could this one to be closer than many would expect? BOUNCE PICKS EAST NOBLE
SNIDER AT WARSAW, TUESDAY
This is the start of a heavy week for a Warsaw team that really will be working to develop a completely new identity under a new head coach and without a graduated duo that were two of the best players in program history. Snider, on the other hand, is about as established as you can get to open a season. BOUNCE PICKS SNIDER
EASTSIDE AT CONCORDIA, THURSDAY
The start of something that could be big at Eastside. The Cage is a challenging spot to go any time, but this should be comfortable for the Blazers as Concordia is looking for new names to step into big roles while Eastside has Taylor Mack and Lucy Kitchen both back at the forefront of their lineup. BOUNCE PICKS EASTSIDE
LEO AT HERITAGE, THURSDAY
Leo will be one of the first teams in the area to play a second game after their opener on Tuesday. This should be an improved Heritage squad in year two under coach Jason Miller and while Leo – like so many others – has question marks heading into the season, it being game two does help out a bit. Like East Noble/Garrett on Tuesday, this could prove closer than expected. BOUNCE PICKS LEO
NORWELL AT BLUFFTON, FRIDAY
Here is the game of the week in Bounce’s estimation and interesting coming a week after the two school from the same county’s football teams went to battle. Two really strong county schools who are going to battle for their own conference title and postseason success as well. Would you rather see a matchup like this later on in the season when both teams are established, or early on as a litmus test? So much going into this week hinges on how Norwell’s players adapt to significantly larger roles, while Bluffton is pretty solidly already established. It is always hard to pick against Norwell until they actually lose and that doesn’t change here. Although, I am so very tempted because I like what Bluffton has to offer a lot. BOUNCE PICKS NORWELL
ANGOLA AT WAYNE, FRIDAY
Wayne is a highly improved program that could be looking to push a bit in the SAC standings. But this early, will they be able to generate enough momentum against a really good Angola team? Bounce is actually super intrigued about this one because of the pace that it could be played at, but in the end…BOUNCE PICKS ANGOLA
BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN AT WEST NOBLE, SATURDAY
Two teams that will look to establish themselves early. The Braves have a lot of pieces back from a competitive team from a year ago so it will be a big test of how they work in expanded roles and how the underclassman can shine. BOUNCE PICKS BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN
WARSAW AT NORWELL, SATURDAY
How do the Knights return a day after what is going to be a battle against a county foe? Can Norwell keep churning in game three of week one? History says this is no problem. But as we sit as of this writing with neither teams having played yet and figuring out how to replace some of the best players in each program’s history, what we can lean on is history and that favors the home team in The Castle. BOUNCE PICKS NORWELL
BISHOP LUERS AT CENTRAL NOBLE, SATURDAY
This is always a fun opening week game, or almost always has been any way. Both teams are looking to get big early momentum and that could be a battle around the rim. Luers’ returns one of the area’s more intriguing players in Harvest Green who was arguably the biggest breakout in Northeast Indiana a year ago. Bounce sees her having a strong outing here. BOUNCE PICKS BISHOP LUERS
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
Be the first to comment