That’s right, it’s the calm before the storm. These are the final picks I’ll be doing before sectional week so get your fill!

There are several good games on the schedule this weekend and next so get out and support your local teams.

I didn’t have anything to talk or rant about this week so we could have just jumped right to the picks. But I know that’s not what you would’ve wanted, Kosciusko. So, I found something to hate on because hates gon’ hate.

Maddie and Tae are a country singing duo that I did not have a problem with before last week. Then I heard their new song, “Shut Up and Fish.”

Have you heard this garbage? Here are some of the lyrics:

Oh, I was fishing
He was wishing
We were kissing
I was getting madder than a hornet in an old Coke can
Getting closer
Sliding over
Crowding up my casting shoulder
Reaching out and trying to hold my reeling hand

Saying I’m pretty
Saying he’s in love
And how it don’t get any better than this
I said, “Yeah, it could,
Boy, if you would
Shut up and fish.”

So, to sum this up: The boy loves the girl and is being really nice but instead of appreciating the boy for being sweet, she tells him to shut up. Then later in the song she pushes him in the lake.

Every dang song on the radio is about how girls want a nice guy to love them and treat them right and then this crap comes out. This is just sending mixed messages to all the guys out there. Now guys will go fishing with their girls and not talk and then they’ll be upset. Maddie and Tae have sent the world as we know it into a tailspin. You just know Carrie Underwood will have a song come out next year titled, “Stop Fishing and Kiss” where she leaves her selfish boyfriend that doesn’t pay enough attention to her when they fish.

I’m a country music fan but this song is trash. Now I feel better that at least one person knows my opinion.

Okay, now we can get to the picks.

Last Week: 6-1
Overall: 106-50

Boys Basketball 2/19-2/23

Triton (14-6) at Tippecanoe Valley (8-12), 7:45 p.m. 2/19
The Scoop: One of the area’s best rivalry games. This is one of those matchups that you just need to be at to appreciate. Records go out the window tonight.
The last five meetings have gone in favor of the home team in this game with Triton last breaking that trend in 2010 with a 61-59 overtime win over the Vikings.
Both offenses average around 53 PPG so I see this game coming down to which team can play better defense and that’s been Triton’s strong suit all season. I’m leaning with the Trojans in this one but regardless of who wins, look for the play of senior to make the difference in this rivalry.
Nick’s Pick: Triton 56, Tippecanoe Valley 50.

Wawasee (2-17) at East Noble (10-9), 7:30 p.m. 2/20
The Scoop: The Warriors are coming off one of their grittiest performances of the season in a 58-50 loss at Westview. Wawasee has played plenty of good stretches this season but has yet to consistently put entire games together. Tyler Smith has emerged as a leader for this team and Trevon Coleman is showing flashes of promise, that gives this team the offensive threats it lacked early on. If the Warriors can build off Tuesday’s performance I like them to take advantage of a defensively struggling East Noble team. Maybe it sounds crazy but 0-13 Minnesota just beat No. 6 Maryland. So, this is not too tall of an order.
Nick’s Pick: Wawasee 59, East Noble 55.

Churubusco (6-14) at Whitko (12-8), 7:30 p.m. 2/20
The Scoop: The Wildcats are on a roll and I don’t see that stopping anytime soon. Whitko has arguably the area’s best scorer in Nate Walpole and he has a good compliment of players around him in River West, Tanner Gaff and Devon Adkins.
Yes, Whitko fans, I know about Sroufe and Owsley I just didn’t want to take up space mentioning them. But, now I’ve done it anyway. Are you happy now!?
Back to the game, Whitko is going to win this one big. I just don’t see the Eagles staying close in this one with an offense that averages less than 50 PPG.
Side bar: Why is Churubusco the Eagles? It’s Turtle Town, USA. They have a sign that boasts that name yet the high school mascot is the Eagles? Why not the Snappers? Or the Shells? Possibly the Teenage Mutant Eagle Turtles? Or, I don’t know, THE TURTLES!? It bothers me. Stop being ignorant, Churubusco, and change your name.
Nick’s Pick: Whitko 62, Not The Turtles 47.

Carmel (12-7) at No. 3 Warsaw (20-0), 7:30 p.m. 2/20
The Scoop: UN-DE-FEATED *clap* *clap* *clap-clap-clap*
The Tigers are spreading misery to everyone down in Indy by continuing their winning ways. This has become a mission not just for the Tigers, but for all of us in Kosciusko. Warsaw must continue winning because with each passing day of the Tigers being perfect, some sports fan in Indy loses a clump of hair. They hate it, they don’t want anyone above of Noblesville to have success. Saturday’s game is about northern pride! BAND TOGETHER, KOSCIUSKO HOOPS FANS. This is about all of us!
Okay, in reference to the game itself: I see this as one that the Tigers pull out in the fourth quarter. Carmel’s record may not show it but this team is still petty talented. Warsaw’s defensive efforts have been out of this world to this point and I see that being the difference again in a very tight game. Also, The Greyhounds have to play a conference game Friday night which can only work in Warsaw’s favor.
Nick’s Pick: Warsaw 49, Carmel 40.

Howe Military (1-11) at Lakeland Christian Academy (3-19), 7:30 p.m.
The Scoop: LCA finally strung together back-to-back wins last week. The Cougars are playing much better basketball than they have at any point over the past two years and that could cause trouble for some teams in the sectional. BUt for now LCA has its sights set on How Military, a team that pulled win out from under the Cougs last season.
LCA’s Josh McDaniel has become a very reliable scorer over the past month and he should have a big game Tuesday night. When McDaniel does well, the rest of the team follows suit. Look for McDaniel, Jon Harmon and Carter Twombly to lead a big scoring night for the Cougars. It has been a tough season at times for LCA so it’s only fitting that they get to end it with some fun.
Nick’s Pick: LCA 72, Howe 44.