Howard County: Dec. 13 Basketball Predictions
Rivalry games and cross-county battles take center stage this week. For the first time this season, all five county schools will be in action on the same night. Add in the Friday the 13th intrigue, and fans are set for an exhilarating night of high school basketball.
Let’s break down this week’s matchups and predict the winners of Friday night’s games.
McCutcheon 3-1 vs 4A #13 Kokomo 3-0
Coach John Peckinpaugh has his squad playing an energetic brand of basketball this year. The Wildkats’ high-octane offense has made it difficult for opponents to keep up with their pace. That’s why fans should flock to Memorial Gymnasium to watch the beloved Wildkats host conference foe McCutcheon.
McCutcheon is coming off a week-long break after playing three games in five days. The Mavericks’ time off has given them extra time to prepare for the Wildkats. While McCutcheon has three players averaging at least 10 points per game, it’s hard to believe those players will be able to overcome the Wildkats’ intense defense. Kokomo fans are expected to end the night on cloud nine as the Wildkats pick up another win.
Winner: Kokomo
2A #6 Tipton 2-0 vs Western 3-1
Western is off to one of the best starts the basketball program has seen in over a decade. The Panthers’ team-first playing style has propelled them to success on both ends of the court. Cameron Bennington's squad will need to bring its A-game to upset a Tipton team considered one of the best in Class 2A.
Tipton opened its season with dominant wins over Tri-Central and Frankton. Those victories have given the Blue Devils a confidence boost as they work to replace key players from last year's team.
A key factor in this matchup will be Western's defense. Tipton still has one standout from last year’s sectional championship-winning team: Grady Carpenter. Carpenter’s impact has been felt in every aspect of the game.
While Western hopes to pull off an upset, the Blue Devils boast a player poised for a big performance Friday night. Tipton is expected to secure a significant road win.
Winner: Tipton
2A #14 Taylor 3-0 vs Northwestern 2-1
For the second consecutive week, Northwestern will face a Howard County rival, aiming to finish Friday night’s clash on the winning side. Northwestern and Taylor have had competitive battles in recent years, and this week’s game is expected to be another close contest.
Home-court advantage often plays a pivotal role in rivalry games, and that’s one of Northwestern’s key assets heading into Friday. However, Taylor head coach Bob Wonnell has been pushing the right buttons, fostering consistent growth in the Titans early this season.
That progress is likely to pay off, as Taylor is expected to notch a significant road win Friday night.
Winner: Taylor
Tri-Central 1-1 vs Eastern 1-1
Tri-Central and Eastern share several similarities early in the season. Both teams have played two games, both have identical records, and both are coming off wins.
Eastern’s start to the season, however, has been slightly unconventional. With the football team advancing to the regional championship, several players joined the basketball roster after the first official practice. Now with more practices under their belt as a complete unit, the Comets are expected to add another win to their record.
Winner: Eastern
Last week: 3-0
All-time: 5-0 (100%)
