Jimtown High School

Jimmies’ tough cager schedule may pay dividends in the future By Red Williams Freelance Sportswriter ELKHART – A bit of scrutiny will show Jimtown High School’s men’s basketball squad is running a gauntlet with its schedule. But Coach Tyler Leighton feels this SOS (strength of schedule) will help prepare his squad for the Class 2A state tournament. “Of 22 regular season games, we play 14 schools with a larger enrollment,” Leighton reported by text. He pointed out that six of the teams are in the rugged Northern Indiana Conference (South Bend Riley, St. Joseph, Washington, Marian, New Prairie and Elkhart). In addition, three others are in the tough Northern Lakes Conference (NorthWood, Concord and Northridge). A look at MaxPreps also shows that several of these teams are highly rated: Northridge is #13 in Class 4A and three squads in Class 3A: St. Joe is #3, NorthWood #7, and Washington #11. Jimtown is 38th in Class 2A. Five of these teams remain on the schedule: Tonight (1.21.25) vs. Concord, 1.25 at SB Washington, 2.8 at Northridge, 2.11 Marian and 2.25 Elkhart. And others on the previous calendar all have defeated the Jimmies, rather soundly. Leighton and his staff are hoping this built-in challenge will pay dividends in the playoffs. Several fans will remember how the Jimmies took on all challengers in the 2003-04 schedule to claim the state championship in Class 2A. Here’s the remaining slate: (all tip-off at 7:30 pm except at Northridge [12:45]) 1.21 vs. Concord 1.25 at SB Washington 1.28 at Elkhart Christian 1.31 vs. Bremen (C) 2.8 at Northridge 2.11 vs. Mishawaka Marian 2.14 at Tippecanoe Valley (C) 2.18 at Bethany Christian 2.22 vs. Argos 2.25 vs. Elkhart