Howard County Basketball: Nov. 29 Preview and Predictions
The week of Thanksgiving is a major milestone for high school basketball fans in Indiana, marking the long-awaited return of boys basketball across the Hoosier state. This week has already delivered high-level, fast-paced action statewide, setting the tone for what should be an exciting winter. To close out the holiday weekend, three Howard County teams will take the floor looking to secure early-season wins. With anticipation running high, fans packing into gyms could play a huge role as teams chase momentum to start their seasons.
As the season gets rolling, early games often reveal which groups are ahead of schedule, which still need time, and which might surprise everyone. Expect intensity, adjustments, and plenty of emotion as players settle into their roles and coaches look to establish identities.
Let’s dive into this weekend’s matchups and predict the winners.
Twin Lakes (0-1) vs Western (0-1)
Western is eager to get back on the court and shake off the 78-46 loss to Kokomo in the season opener. Losing the first game of the year is never easy, which adds extra intrigue to this weekend’s matchup against familiar foe Twin Lakes.
Twin Lakes also dropped its season opener, scoring just 30 points. Western’s Carter Biggs, one of the county’s top scorers, can hurt opponents from all three levels, making him a constant threat. The Panthers will look to bounce back this weekend, taking advantage of Twin Lakes’ defensive struggles to secure their first win of the season at the Corteva Center at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
Winner: Western
Lewis Cass (1-0) vs Northwestern (0-0)
Northwestern is ready to tip off its 2025-2026 season. The Tigers played strong down the stretch last year and hope to build on that success, led by Bradyn Wilson, who averaged 10.9 points per game a season ago. Northwestern will need solid, team-oriented basketball to start the season with a win against Lewis Cass.
Lewis Cass made a statement in its season opener, shocking many with a win over Carroll (Flora). The Kings overcame a two-point deficit in the second quarter and outscored the Cougars 26-19 in the second half. Their strong performance caught Northwestern’s attention and adds intrigue to the season opener.
Winner: Lewis Cass
Maconaquah (0-0) vs Eastern (Greentown) (0-0)
Eastern is another Howard County team set to tip off its season on their home court. The Comets are led by Colton Lindsay, who averaged 19.8 points per game last year. His scoring ability will be a key focus for Maconaquah during their trip to Greentown this weekend.
Maconaquah enters the game as a very different team after graduating its top five scorers from last season. Replacing nearly 70 points per game from a 21-win team will be a challenge. Lindsay’s scoring and the familiarity of playing at home are two major storylines to watch in this matchup.
Winner: Maconaquah
Howard County basketball is officially underway, and fans have plenty to look forward to this weekend. Western, Northwestern, and Eastern all hit the court with early-season momentum on the line, giving local supporters plenty of reasons to fill the stands and cheer on their teams. Every game matters, and these matchups could set the tone for the season ahead.
Jay’s stats
Last week: 4-0
2025-2026 sports season: 41-16 (71.9%)
