GOSHEN — It was another good week in forecasting winners in local high school boys basketball games with a 9-2 (81.8 percent) record.

The puts the season-to-date mark at 60-14 (81.1).

Missed calls last week were Indianapolis Arlington over Elkhart Central and Tippecanoe Valley over NorthWood.



Friday

NIC-NLC Shootout

Elkhart Memorial vs. Mishawaka — The  Mishawaka Cavemen hold a slim 9-8 advantage in the series over the past 15 seasons. Both teams have played South Bend St. Joseph. Memorial dropped a 67-62 decision to St. Joseph while Mishawaka won 53-49. Mishawaka.

Concord at Mishawaka Marian — These two have only played three times during the past 15 seasons. Concord has won all three with the last being a 61-44 decision on Dec. 6, 2002. The Minutemen will be faced with the task of slowing down one of the area’s and the state’s best players in Marian senior Demetrius Jackson who is averaging 29.3 points per game and is a Notre Dame recruit. Concord has a balance attack on offense led by it’s own NCAA Division I recruit in senior Franko House who is going to Ball State. Concord.

Penn vs. Northridge — The Northridge Raiders were 61-45 winners last season, but the Penn Kingsmen have a 9-6 advantage in the last 15 meetings. Both teams have played tough schedules with Penn’s opponents having a combined record of 28-20 compared to 26-15 for Northridge’s opponents. Penn has its own Notre Dame recruit in Austin Torres. Penn.

South Bend St. Joseph vs. Goshen — The St. Joseph Indians won a 36-35 thriller last season while Goshen has a 4-3 lead in the series over the past 15 campaigns. The Indians have lost three in a row since their only win (67-62 over Memorial). The Goshen Redskins have won two straight since their lone loss at DeKalb (51-56). Goshen.

Fairfield vs. Bremen — The Bremen Lions were 61-50 winners last season. The Fairfield Falcons hold an 8-4 lead in the series over the last 15 seasons. Both teams have lost to Goshen. Bremen by a 74-55 score and Fairfield by a 56-43 count. Fairfield.

West Noble at Eastside — The West Noble Chargers hold an 11-5 advantage over the Blazers in the last 15 meetings after a 50-40 victory a year ago. West Noble is still undefeated on the young season and it’s not likely they are going to lose in this one. West Noble.



Saturday

NIC-NLC Shootout

Mishawaka Marian vs. Elkhart Memorial — Memorial was a 78-47 winner last season, but the Chargers were hit hard by graduation. The two schools have played nine times over the past 15 season with Memorial winning six times. This one features two of the better players in the area in Marian’s Jackson and senior Markese McGuire of Memorial. Memorial enters the game with the better record (4-2 compared to 2-5) but Marian’s opponents have a combined record of 25-15 compared to 15-20 for Memorial’s opponents. Marian.

Mishawaka at Concord — Mishawaka was a 55-52 winner last season, but Concord has won 14 of the last 17 meetings with the Cavemen. House is averaging 18 points per game for the Minutemen and has been a dominate force around the basket. Concord.

Goshen vs. Penn — The Penn Kingsmen hold a 10-5 lead over the last 15 meetings with the Redskins following last season’s 60-53 victory. Goshen has been playing good defense and the Redskins are allowing an average of 47.0 points per contest. That defense will be tested by a Penn offense that is putting up points at the rate of 63.9 per game. The Redskins will need to have their shooting touch from the outside in this one. Goshen.

Northridge at South Bend St. Joseph — It’s been quite some time since these two have played. St. Joseph won the only meeting over the past 15 seasons by a score of 56-53 in overtime back on Feb. 19, 1998. Both teams have played quality opponents with the opposing teams for each school having a combined winning record. Northridge will need to get some points inside from 6-7 Nate Ritchie and some points from Joey Ganyard, Sam Ahonen and Pete Smith on the outside. Northridge.

LaVille at NorthWood — The location of this one was changed due to a construction project taking place at LaVille over the holidays. Both teams enter the contest with identical 6-1 records. LaVille won last season’s matchup by a 59-51 score but NorthWood holds a 3-2 lead in the series over the past 15 seasons. NorthWood returns a strong cast from last season’s game and that loss combined with this year’s first loss to Tippecanoe Valley (59-53) last Saturday should give the Panthers the incentive in this one. NorthWood.

Elkhart Central at New Castle — These two have not played over the past 15 seasons. The Central Blue Blazers are averaging 54.7 points per game on offense and giving up 55.5 on defense. New Castle is averaging 59.5 on offense and yielding 48.8 on defense. New Castle.

Tuesday

Columbia City vs. Northridge —  The Columbia City Eagles opened the season with seven constitutive wins. The Eagles were 64-55 winners over Northridge last season and have won six of the last nine meetings with the Raiders. Columbia City.