Nick’s Picks: The #Kosify Edition
UN-DE-FEATED *clap*-*clap*-*clap, clap, clap*
Yes, let the perfection flow through you! Last week I went a perfect 9-0, with the help of our wonderful local athletes. It’s something to be proud of, if you all didn’t come here to read this week after week, then I wouldn’t be able to write this article week after week. Give yourself a pat on the back, go ahead. Bask in this moment of glory. It was a team effort.
Okay, now stop. Enough gloating. It’s time to get serious. There are some big games this week. BIG. But, then again, there were big games last week and we still pulled through. The Valley girls over a ranked Wabash team was by far the biggest pick of them all. With that win the Lady Vikes have made it known that they are for real this year, they’ve even cracked the polls in 3A.
#Kosify is the main focus of my rambling this week. KOSciusko-Information-For-You. It’s a hashtag, use it on social media things. We worked super hard coming up with this beloved thing so, take pride is using it, Kosciusko!. Alright, enough of that.
Quick shout-out to the ladies of the Grace womens soccer and volleyball teams for their runs in postseason tournaments. The soccer team was ridiculously close to winning it all. The best part of the soccer success is seeing three local athletes help to lead that team. Tip of the obnoxious reporters hat to Mallory Rondeau, Meredith Hollar and Abby Schue.
I was at the Colts v. Cleveland game last weekend. I’ve discovered that Colts fans can be rude, but not as rude and crude as playoff deprived Browns fans. Notes on that game are as follows: Brian Hoyer is Terrible (he’s so bad, I had to capitalize the ‘T’). Andrew Luck makes mistakes but makes up for them in grand fashion. Orange and brown are two colors that shouldn’t work together, but they do, somehow.
Finally, how about a big shout-out to Mr. 300 himself, Curtis Smeltzer. The young man bowled a perfect game at Wawasee Bowl the other night (by the way, that place has the best frog legs in the county). Props to you and your bowling game, Curtis. Clearly you’ve been working on that form I totally taught you.
Who is ready for some 100% “Made in the USA” picks?
Last Week: 9-0
Overall: 74-35
Girls High School Basketball 12/12-12/13
Goshen (4-3) at Wawasee (3-5), 7:30 p.m. 12/12
The Scoop: These two teams are practically identical in terms of points given up and points scored. Their results against common opponents are eerily similar as well, so I’m expecting a great game between these two NLC foes. Goshen won the contest last year because Wawasee could not find a way to score. I expect a low-scoring affair here, but Kylee Rostochak is going to throw this team on her back offensively and help led Wawasee to a win.
The Pick: Wawasee 43, Goshen 38.
Whitko (4-3, 1-0) at Manchester (4-4, 0-1), 7:45 p.m. 12/12
The Scoop: Whitko’s record does not scream “dangerous” but trust me when I say that this team only has three losses because it is still trying to find rhythm with a young rotation. The Wildcats should make the Three Rivers Conference race interesting this season, and that statement will be backed up with the ‘Cats starting 2-0 in TRC play. Aly Reiff and Brianna Cumberland lead the romp in this one.
The Pick: Whitko 52, Manchester 40.
North Miami (2-6, 0-1) at No. 15 Tippecanoe Valley (6-1, 1-0), 7:45 p.m. 12/12
The Scoop: Not wasting much space on this pick. Valley is too good right now. I covered this earlier, but in their toughest contest of the year, Valley beat a talented and ranked Wabash team. North Miami is not up to snuff with the Lady Vikes.
The Pick: Valley 65, North Miami 38.
Plymouth (7-1) at Warsaw (4-4), 7:30 p.m. 12/13
The Scoop: An intriguing matchup that will most likely come down to the final minutes. Warsaw has had its share of close wins as well as close losses, the Pilgrims are really no exception. Plymouth is coming off of its first loss of the season, a 16-point thumping by a good South Bend Washington team. This game will really be about which team can turn it over the least in crunch time. I think Plymouth has been pushed more often than Warsaw this year and will be able to come out on top in this game.
The Pick: Plymouth 48, Warsaw 45.
Boys High School Basketball 12/13
South Bend Trinity (3-0) at Lakeland Christian Academy (0-4), 2 p.m.
The Scoop: The Cougars are getting better. That cannot be denied. They finally broke the 30-point threshold in their last game, that can only mean things are going up. Unfortunately a surprisingly high-scoring Trinity team is coming to town. No, Trinity has not played any schools of note, but the Titans are averaging over 60 points per game. Seeing that LCA has yet to eclipse 40 in a single game, I’m going with the Titans.
The Pick: Trinity 61, LCA 39.
No. 10 Triton (2-2) at No. 6 Mishawaka Marian (2-0), 7:30 p.m.
The Scoop: Marian is led by a stellar recruit in Devin Cannady (verbally committed to Princeton) and backed by a strong supporting cast. This will be a big test for Triton just as the NorthWood game was. Though the Trojans did not beat Triton, they showed out and made it clear that they are as tough as ever for their size. I expect a similar game to take place when Triton meets Marian, unfortunately I expect a similar result.
The Pick: Marian 65, Triton 53.
Whitko (0-4) at Wawasee (4-1), 7:30 p.m.
The Scoop: When these two teams met last season, Wawasee was 0-5. What a difference a year makes. The Warriors are playing some of the best basketball that the Hardwood Tee Pee has seen in several years. Whitko is heating up, the team is gelling and the addition of Nate Walpole has only helped. But the Wildcats still have not found out how to win. I don’t think they figure it out on Saturday either. Partially because Wawasee finally knows how to score and close games out, but also because of the home court advantage.
The Warrior student section is finally making itself look, and sound, like an NLC cheer block. It’s been rather intimidating, loud and annoying and coach Steve Wiktorowski loves every bit of that. Look for this group to fuel the win for Wawasee.
The Pick: Wawasee 63, Whitko 45.
Tippecanoe Valley (2-2) at John Glenn (3-2), 7:45 p.m.
The Scoop: John Glenn was handed a tough loss in Syracuse earlier this week and will look to get back in the win column when Valley rolls in. Both of these teams score and give up points in the mid-50’s so this could be a game that comes down to free throws and turnovers. I like the odds with Tippecanoe Valley this Saturday. I think Alex Thacker has a big night to lead the team to win number three.
The Pick: Valley 60, Glenn 56.