Basketball Game Preview: Velma Jackson Falcons vs. Yazoo County Panthers

The Velma Jackson Falcons will face off against the Yazoo County Panthers at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. Velma Jackson will be strutting in after a win while Yazoo County will be coming in after a loss.

On Tuesday, Velma Jackson beat McAdams 53-46. The victory continues a trend for the Falcons in their matchups with the Bulldogs: they've now won four in a row.

Velma Jackson found their leader in sophomore Ethan Cook, who went 8-for-14 en route to 20 points in addition to eight rebounds and three steals. The team also got some help courtesy of Christopher Mitchell, who posted six points and nine boards.

Meanwhile, Yazoo County was within striking distance but couldn't close the gap on Tuesday as they fell 70-65 to Hartfield Academy.

Velma Jackson will have to contain Ladon Watts as he made an impact in Yazoo County's last game. He shot 70% from the field on his way to 16 points along with seven rebounds and five assists. Another player making a difference was Amari Southern, who earned 12 points and five steals.

Velma Jackson's first win this season bumped their record up to 1-2. As for Yazoo County, their defeat dropped their record down to 1-3.

Rebounding is likely to be a big factor in this contest: Velma Jackson has been smashing the glass this season, having averaged 33 boards per game. However, it's not like Yazoo County struggles in that department as they've been averaging 26 rebounds. With both teams battling to corral missed shots, we'll see if one team can grab an edge.

Velma Jackson came up short against Yazoo County in their previous matchup back in November of 2024, falling 65-53. Will the Falcons have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.