Nick’s Picks: Pouring My Heart Out
Where is the season going?
The boys are midway done with their season, the girls are entering the final week, swimming sectionals are next week and wrestling conference tournaments are tomorrow.
Everything seems to be moving so much faster this year. It’s kind of nice because that means we are that much closer to spring and summer weather, so that’s a definite plus.
I blame this feeling on the IHSAA’s decision to move the girls basketball season up an entire week, which has really just screwed up everything.
Then again, maybe I should be appreciative of this move.
(Story time!?)
The girls sectional used to fall on Valentine’s weekend, this always brought up bad memories for me. But, I don’t want to talk about it.
Okay, I’ll talk about it.
(Yes, story time!)
Don’t worry, this will be brief.
I was once dumped on Valentine’s Day, which also doubled as the night of a sectional championship game at Wawasee High School. I bought her a really nice gift, then she dumped me and yanked me into the friend zone before I even knew what happened. So, maybe it makes sense for me to like the new dates for the sectional. I don’t know, at times it’s still really hard for me.
That experience was awful and it was also the first time I had love ripped from my grasp. I feel I’ve grown since then and that I’m a completely different man now.
We had dated for one day prior to that breakup. Yes, my friends, seventh grade was a journey.
Last Week: 4-4
Overall: 84-46
High School Girls Basketball 1/23
Plymouth (8-11, 1-4) at Wawasee (6-13, 0-5), 7:30 p.m.
The Scoop: The Lady Warriors let a game get away from them Tuesday at Whitko then rebounded for a blowout win over Prairie Heights on Wednesday. That game against Prairie Heights was a big breakout game for Wawasee’s offense (as it should have been) and I think that will help Wawasee going into its final two conference games.
In 18 seasons as Wawasee’s head coach, Kem Zolman has never gone 0-7 in conference play. I think the girls preserve that streak for Zolman with a win over Plymouth this weekend.
It’s senior night so expect Kylee Rostochak and Erin Wiktorowski to leave the Hardwood Tee Pee with a bang.
Nick’s Pick: Wawasee 48, Plymouth 39.
Concord (4-15, 0-5) at Warsaw (7-13, 4-1), 7:45 p.m.
The Scoop: Concord has been a whipping post for NLC girls basketball this season and that won’t change Saturday night.
Warsaw is still hoping for Northridge to lose to force a two-way or three-way tie atop the NLC. The Lady Tigers will get the ‘W’ this weekend and I think they’ll beat NorthWood next week to get to 6-1. Warsaw doesn’t control its own destiny but it can certainly help itself out with wins in these next two games. Not a lot to add for this game, Concord is struggling and Warsaw is picking up steam heading into the sectional.
Nick’s Pick: Warsaw 57, Concord 31.
Southwood (5-14, 2-5) at No. 5 Tippecanoe Valley (18-1, 7-0), 7:45 p.m.
The Scoop: We did it, girls. Last week we joined together and upset No. 1 Rochester. The extra practice sessions I held with Karis Tucker clearly paid off as she led all scorers with 19 points. We’re back, Lady Vikings
…Okay, there was no “we” but I was still there and it was awesome. It was one of the best games that I have had the privilege of being in attendance for.
This Valley team is only improving as the season goes on and Southwood will present no problems as the girl pursue a 21-1 regular season mark.
Nick’s Pick: Valley 59, Southwood 33.
Lakeland Christian (11-10) at Traders Point Christian (4-11), 2 p.m.
The Scoop: LCA is flirting with its first winning season since 2006-07 this year so I figured it was time to give some love to the Cougars. The Cougars are a fun team to watch and will be a sneaky team to watch in the sectional 52 field. Look for Rachel Sand and Hannah Delp to carry this team offensively while Melissa Goss continues to be a menace on defense for opposing teams.
Full disclosure: I know nothing about Traders Point except that the team average 25 points a game on offense, so that’s good enough for me to feel safe with this pick.
High School Boys Basketball 1/22
Triton (8-5) v. John Glenn (8-6), 6:30 p.m. Bi-County Tournament
The Scoop: Well, my bold pick for the boys at Culver did not work out in my favor…or their favor.
I still think Culver is smoke in mirrors, the Trojans just had an off night and redemption has already begun!
The Trojans bounced back for a 34-31 win over New Prairie to start the Bi-County and have some momentum going into Friday’s game.
The Trojans have lived on defensive efficiency for most of the season, allowing just 43-points per game. Look for that strong defensive play along with a nice offensive night Jordan Anderson Jarrett Kreft to carry the team to Saturday’s championship.. Yes, Anderson will have a good night, but I always talk about him, so let’s put Kreft on the spot to switch things up!
Nick’s Pick: Triton 51, John Glenn 44.
No. 7 Warsaw (13-0, 3-0) at Concord (4-9, 1-2), 7:45 p.m.
The Scoop: No. 7? Wow, I hope nobody hurt themselves giving that much respect to the Tigers. Well, the Orange and Black finally are getting notice from other around the state as they are the last undefeated team in 4A and one of just four left in the whole state. Concord is always a tricky team to play and McCuen is historically a hard place to play. However, Warsaw doesn’t give a hoot about the Minutemen or their gym.
The Tigers are in hot pursuit of another NLC title and should roll in this game, as long as they don’t look ahead to Saturday’s game at Northrop (that would be weird) or next week’s game with NorthWood (more understandable).
Geaux Tigers Ben Simmons informed me I can’t used that phrase unless the WCHS cafeteria starts serving gumbo.
Nick’s Pick: Warsaw 64, Concord 48.
Wawasee (1-10, 0-3) at Plymouth (10-4, 2-1), 7:45 p.m.
The Scoop: The rough season continues for the Wawasee boys. I went out on a limb for the Warriors last week and picked them to beat Elkhart Memorial. I swung and missed on that game and now history is staring Wawasee in the face…not in the good way.
Wawasee has now lost 31 consecutive NLC games, one off the conference record of 32. Playing at Plymouth is certainly not beneficial at all for this team. Wawasee struggles to find consistency on offense and inexperience with this team is still hanging around. The Warriors need a breakout game but I don’t see Friday night as that opportunity. I never mind getting proven wrong.
Nick’s Pick: Plymouth 60, Wawasee 45.
Whitko (7-7, 3-2) at Northfield (6-7, 2-2), 7:45 p.m.
The Scoop: The Wildcats are in pursuit of their first winning season since 2012 and I think they can pull back above .500 tonight. I like Whitko’s chances because Northfield struggles defensively, giving up over 60 points per game. The Wildcats are not very savvy on defense but manage to produce on offense. Expect River West and Nate Walpole to light it up tonight and lead the Wildcats a little closer to a winning season.
Nick’s Pick: Whitko 68, Northfield 53.