Basketball Game Preview: Hibriten Panthers vs. Alexander Central Cougars

Hibriten is 0-8 against Alexander Central since January of 2022 but things could change on Tuesday. A feisty cat fight is on tap when the Hibriten Panthers challenge the Alexander Central Cougars at 8:00 p.m. Both teams took a loss in their last game, so they'll have plenty of motivation to get the 'W'.

Hibriten is headed into Tuesday's contest looking for a big change in momentum after dropping their third straight game on Friday. They lost 84-58 to Watauga. While losing is never fun, the Panthers can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' North Carolina basketball rankings (they are ranked 549th, while the Pioneers are ranked 159th).

Meanwhile, after a string of three wins, Alexander Central's good fortune finally ran out on Friday. They fell 61-53 to South Caldwell.

Hibriten will have to contain Jayon Connor as he made an impact in Alexander Central's last game. He almost dropped a double-double on 31 points and nine rebounds. That was a full 58.5% of Alexander Central's points, marking the seventh time in a row he's posted more than a third of the team's points. The team also got some help courtesy of Koa Mikeal, who had eight points.

Hibriten's loss dropped their record down to 3-13. As for Alexander Central, their defeat was their first in the conference, dropping their conference record down to 2-1 and their overall record down to 8-8.

Hibriten came up short against Alexander Central in their previous matchup back in February of 2024, falling 53-41. Can Hibriten avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.