Basketball Game Preview: Jackson Day Mariners vs. Valor Preparatory Academy Owls

Jackson Day is 4-0 against Valor Preparatory Academy since November of 2018 and they'll have a chance to extend that success on Tuesday. Having just played yesterday, the Jackson Day Mariners will head out on the road to face off against the Valor Preparatory Academy Owls at 5:30 p.m. Given that both suffered a loss in their last games, they both have a little extra motivation heading into this game.

Jackson Day is probably headed into the match with a chip on their shoulder considering Ridge View just ended the team's four-game winning streak on Monday. They lost 68-47 to the Blazers. While losing is never fun, the Mariners can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' basketball rankings in their respective home states (they are ranked 224th in North Carolina, while the Blazers are ranked 37th in South Carolina).

Despite the loss, Jackson Day had strong showings from Courtney Ashford, who posted 16 points and four steals, and Laylah Toscano, who went 6 of 12 on her way to 17 points and four steals. Toscano is on a roll when it comes to steals, as she's now grabbed two or more in the last ten games she's played.

Meanwhile, Valor Preparatory Academy was not able to break out of their rough patch on Friday as the team picked up their eighth straight defeat. They were a single point away from ending the streak, but they lost a 29-28 heartbreaker at the hands of Sugar Creek Charter.

Valor Preparatory Academy's loss dropped their record down to 1-10. As for Jackson Day, their defeat dropped their record down to 13-8.

Everything came up roses for Jackson Day against Valor Preparatory Academy in their previous matchup back in January of 2024, as the squad secured a 46-6 win. Does Jackson Day have another victory up their sleeve, or will Valor Preparatory Academy turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.