By Greg Keim
Last week’s batch of high school boys basketball predictions are incomplete due to the Northeast Corner Conference tournament which continues through Saturday night.
Except for the first night of the NECC event it was an exceptional week. Before taking into consideration Tuesday’s games in the NECC, the record would be 12-1 (92.3 percent) but it falls to 13-3 (81.3) after.
Remaining NECC picks will be included in next week’s results and they are not off to a good start considering the pick to win it all — the Lakeland Lakers — lost on opening night.
The season-to-date mark is 73-24 (75.3).
Friday
Goshen at Warsaw — The Warsaw Tigers won a 58-57 overtime thriller a year ago. Goshen returns just five points from senior Taylor Kolbus while Warsaw has 37 back, including 29 from now-junior Nic Moore. Warsaw.
Northridge at NorthWood — Either one of these two could use its first NLC victory. Jimtown and Westview are common opponents. Northridge lost to Westview 49-37 and Jimtown 46-39. NorthWood defeated Westview 50-48 and Jimtown 44-30. It could be a close one with the edge going to the Panthers at home. NorthWood.
Concord at Plymouth — Plymouth is a tough place for visiting teams and the Minutemen have not won a regular season contest there since the 1992-93 campaign. This might be the year for Concord to break that streak. Concord has won nine of its first 10 games, best start since the 2006-07 group also started 9-1. Concord.
Memorial at Wawasee — A matchup between two of the higher scoring teams in the NLC. Wawasee averages 80.9 points per game and Memorial 56.8. The Crimson Chargers have the athletes to play Wawasee’s fact-paced style. Memorial.
New Prairie at Jimtown — This Northern State Conference matchup looks to be a close one. Jimtown has a 5-4 record and New Prairie 4-5. NorthWood is among the common foes. The Jimmies lost to NorthWood 44-30 while New Prairie defeated the Panthers 72-69 in double overtime. Jimtown is 3-0 so far at home and the home court could be the edge. Jimtown.
Mishawaka at Central — These two are searching for their first win in the Northern Indiana Conference. The Central Blue Blazers have won three straight games and five of their last six. Central.
Saturday
Memorial at FW Elmhurst — The Elmhurst Trojans are a quality team with two of their three losses coming to Harding and Luers, teams ranked among the Top Ten in their respective classes. Elmhurst.
Elkhart Christian at Oregon-Davis — The Oregon-Davis Bobcats are allowing 80.9 points per game. ECA averages 43.5 a game and should be able to find some scoring opportunities in this one. ECA.
Tuesday
Central at Concord — Central was an 81-69 winner last season and the Blue Blazers hold a 28-27 advantage in the series. Riley is among common opponents. Concord rallied from a 17-point deficit to defeat Riley 52-51 on a 3-pointer at the horn by senior Doug Acker. Central lost to the Wildcats 60-50 and 67-36 (NIC tournament). Concord.
Lakeland at NorthWood — These two could see each other again come sectional time in the 3A field at Columbia City. The series between the Panthers and the Lakers is all square at 6-6. This one could be that close, playing in the “Panther Pit” might be the edge NorthWood needs. NorthWood.
Jimtown at West Noble — The WN Chargers have won three of their last four with the one loss being a 58-56 overtime thriller to Lakeland. Charger senior Cody Hastings is on a scoring rampage with games of 24, 29 and 19 points in his last four contests. West Noble.
