By Greg Keim
Rallying from the worst week of the season to the best was a pleasant reversal in high school boys basketball predictions.
The 14-2 mark (87.5 percent) eclipsed the previous high of 81.3 (13-3) in Week 5.
Missed calls were Goshen over NorthWood and White Pigeon over Fairfield. One game — Elkhart Christian Academy and Lakewood Park — has been rescheduled for tonight and will be included in next week’s results.
The season-to-date record is 96-37 (72.1).
Friday
Goshen at Memorial — This one matches two of the better big men — 6-7 senior Taylor Kolbus of Goshen and 6-7 senior Michael Kibiloski of Memorial — in the Northern Lakes Conference. The talented and athletic Crimson Chargers will be a tough matchup for Goshen. Memorial.
Concord at Wawasee — Concord leads the series 24-18 after last season’s 106-68 victory. Both teams have lost to Plymouth and Warsaw. Concord lost 50-47 to Plymouth and 54-48 to Warsaw while Wawasee dropped a 74-60 decision to Plymouth and a 97-82 verdict to Warsaw. Concord.
Northridge at Plymouth — This series is a close one with the Pilgrims holding a 14-12 lead after the Raiders won a 34-33 sizzler a year ago. Northridge has been involved in a lot of close games with eight of the team’s 10 losses by 10-or-fewer points. Plymouth.
Warsaw at NorthWood — Warsaw sits atop the NLC standings. Goshen stands out among common foes as the Tigers topped the Redskins 56-34 while the Panthers lost 48-40. Warsaw.
West Noble at Fairfield — Fairfield has lost three straight and West Noble five, so each team could use a win. Fairfield won 77-60 last season and the Falcons have a 30-12 series lead. Fairfield.
Westview at Eastside — Westview has dominated this series and the Warriors lead 36-14 following a 67-48 triumph during the NECC tournament. Fairfield is a common opponent. Westview holds 36-33 and 52-29 wins over the Falcons. Eastside lost 57-53 in overtime to the Falcons. Westview.
Jimtown at Triton — The Triton Trojans are 14-0 and ranked No. 2 in Class 1A. NorthWood and Mishawka Marian are common foes. Jimtown lost to NorthWood 44-30 and to Marian 46-39. Triton defeated NorthWood 41-31 and Marian 74-57. Triton.
Marian at Central — The Central Blue Blazers captured an 87-79 victory over the Knights in double overtime during the Northern Indiana Conference tournament back in December. Central.
Saturday
Fairfield at Northridge — Northridge has two wins this season and one is over Angola, a member of the Northeast Corner Conference by a 52-45 count. Northridge has been involved in a lot of close decisions and sooner or later that experience is going to start paying off for the Raiders. Northridge.
FW Blackhawk at Bethany — The Class 1A Blackhawk Braves are 7-6, but two of the losses have been to 4A schools, three to 3A and one to 2A. Canterbury is a common foe. Bethany dropped a 55-54 thriller while Blackhawk squeaked by with a 65-64 victory. FW Blackhawk.
Lakeland at Wawasee — This series is all square at 10-10 following Lakeland’s 83-68 and 68-61 wins a year ago. Lakeland has lost to two NLC teams (Concord 74-60 and NorthWood 46-43) while Wawasee has defeated two NECC squads (Angola 101-48 and West Noble 95-69). Wawasee.
Tuesday
Mishawaka at Goshen — Central and Memorial are among common opponents. Goshen lost to Central 37-32 and Memorial 41-39. Mishawaka defeated Central 60-46 and lost to Memorial 55-53. Mishawaka.
Clinton at Bethany — The Bruins already own a 55-47 win over Clinton back in December during the Bethany holiday tourney. Six-four Bethany senior Seth Kauffman tossed in 22 points in that one. Bethany.
West Noble at NorthWood — NorthWood leads the series 24-6 after last season’s 52-33 conquest. Each team has played Lakeland. NorthWood won 46-43 while West Noble lost 58-56 in overtime. NorthWood.
SB Riley at Memorial — Riley is tied with Penn for first place in the Northern Indiana Conference. Northridge is a common foe. Riley defeated the Raiders 54-37 and Memorial escaped with a 52-49 victory. SB Riley.
Elkhart Christian at Jimtown — This one should be a defensive battle as Elkhart Christian allows 39.8 points per game and Jimtown 39.9. Jimtown senior Shane Cook could be a tough matchup for the Eagles. He has been in double figures in six of his last eight games. Jimtown.
Central at Prairie Heights — The Class 2A PH Panthers have won four games this season, but three of those have been against 1A schools. Central’s 6-7 senior Josh Riikonen has been over 20 points in four of his last seven contests. Central.
