Medicine Valley is 0-8 against Alma since January of 2015 but things could change on Friday. After both having extra time off, both will dust off their jerseys to take on one another at 3:00 p.m. The two teams are sauntering into the matchup backed by comfortable wins in their prior games.
Having struggled with seven losses in a row dating back to last season, Medicine Valley turned things around against South Loup last Friday. They put the hurt on South Loup with a sharp 43-20 win. The Raiders' offense stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most points they've scored all season.
Multiple players turned in solid performances to lead Medicine Valley to victory, but perhaps none more so than Remmi Stout, who posted 20 points along with six boards and four blocks. That makes it three consecutive games in which Stout has scored at least a third of Medicine Valley's points. Haylie Gustafson was another key player, going 7 of 11 on her way to 14 points along with eight rebounds and seven steals.
Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Alma, who bounced back after a loss on the road two weeks ago. They simply couldn't be stopped last Saturday as they easily beat Red Cloud 74-36. The Cardinals have made a habit of sweeping their opponents off the court, having now won three matches by 37 points or more this season.
Alma's win came from a few key players Medicine Valley will need to keep an eye on. One of the most notable was Miley Whitney, who went 5 of 7 en route to 15 points and five rebounds. Those 15 points gave her a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Tierston Moore, who went 7 of 8 on her way to 14 points along with five boards and three steals.
Alma was working as a unit and finished the game with 20 assists. That's the most assists they've managed all season.
Alma pushed their record up to 5-2 with the victory, which was their fourth straight at home. Those victories came thanks to their offensive performance across that stretch, as they averaged 52.8 points per game. As for Medicine Valley, their win (their first of the season) made their record 1-6.
Rebounding is likely to be a big factor in this contest: Medicine Valley has been smashing the glass this season, having averaged 33.6 boards per game. However, it's not like Alma struggles in that department as they've been averaging 30 boards. With both teams battling to corral missed shots, we'll see if one team can grab an edge.
Medicine Valley was dealt a bruising 72-31 defeat at the hands of Alma when the teams last played back in December of 2023. Will Medicine Valley 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.
