Howard County Basketball: Jan. 16 Preview and Predictions
High school basketball is back in full swing as area teams settle into the heart of the season. With conference races taking shape and teams looking to build momentum, each game brings added importance as players and coaches push for consistency and growth.
Kokomo (7-4) vs Harrison (West Lafayette) (9-3)
Kokomo endured a challenging stretch after its strong start to the season, facing its toughest competition to date, including a gritty road win at Marion. That stretch tested the Wildkats, and they’ll need to lean on those lessons Friday night when they travel to Harrison (West Lafayette).
Harrison enters the game on a four-game winning streak and features one of the most efficient offenses in the state. The Raiders are tied with Princeton for the 42nd-best average margin of victory in Indiana, a testament to their ability to create separation and close games. The headlining matchup between Harrison’s Brody Baker and Kokomo’s Korbyn Hammel should be must-watch basketball, but the final result will come down to execution beyond the scoring column. Harrison has consistently built and protected leads this season, and Kokomo will need to disrupt that rhythm to leave West Lafayette with a win.
Winner: Harrison
Northwestern (7-2) vs Tipton (4-7)
Northwestern appears to be peaking after an early-season loss to Taylor. Since that setback, the Tigers have won six of their last seven games and will look to keep that momentum going Friday night on the road at Tipton.
Tipton’s first season under head coach Tommy Newton has had its growing pains. The Blue Devils have lost three of their last four games and have struggled against opponents with winning records. Northwestern’s continuity could be a deciding factor, led by sophomore Colin Cook and juniors Bradyn Wilson and Henry Neher, who give the Tigers multiple ways to attack offensively. That balance could pose problems for Tipton as the Blue Devils look to defend their home floor and give the crowd something to cheer about.
Winner: Northwestern
Eastern (Greentown) (4-6) vs Delphi (7-4)
Eastern (Greentown) returns to the court following a long layoff. The Comets have split their last four games, a stretch that suggests they may an opportunity to earn back-to-back wins for the first time this season. Eastern will need a strong, complete performance to keep pace with the Oracles.
Delphi enters the matchup having won four of its last five games, a run that has lifted the Oracles one spot ahead of Eastern in the Hoosier Conference standings. Delphi features a balanced lineup, with five players averaging at least 8.4 points per game, and has shown the ability to close games with timely plays down the stretch. Eastern’s defense has been an issue for much of the season, and if that trend continues, it could prove costly if the game remains tight in the fourth quarter.
Winner: Delphi
Clinton Central (2-8) vs Taylor (8-3)
Taylor’s matchup with Clinton Central is more than a typical midseason conference game. It marks the first time Titans head coach Fonso White will face the program where he began his Indiana high school boys basketball coaching career. Add in Taylor’s push to start another winning streak, and there is no shortage of storylines surrounding the Hoosier Heritage Conference contest.
Clinton Central has struggled for much of the season, though the Bulldogs have shown signs of progress by splitting their last four games. Even with the recent improvement, Clinton Central faces a tough challenge Friday night. The Bulldogs have yet to defeat a team with a winning record, and Taylor’s supporting cast has played stronger in recent weeks — a combination that sets up the Titans to secure a conference win ahead of Saturday’s county rivalry game against Western.
Winner: Taylor
Friday night presents a great opportunity for fans to catch high-level basketball and support local programs as the season continues to take shape.
The Kokomo Post Sports team will be in attendance at Northwestern vs. Tipton, providing live updates, scores, and postgame coverage. Tipoff is set, the atmosphere should be strong, and there’s no better way to spend a Friday night than inside a packed gym watching high school basketball.
Jay’s stats
Last week: 0-2
2025-2026 sports season: 54-22 (71%)
