Basketball Game Preview: Valencia Jaguars vs. Centennial Hawks

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Previous Games

12/28/21 - Away	34-40 L
03/04/16 - Neutral	60-33 W
02/25/16 - Home	38-29 W
02/13/16 - Home	37-35 W
01/26/16 - Away	66-37 W
+ 2 more games

Valencia is 6-1 against Centennial since January of 2015 and they'll have a chance to extend that success on Thursday. The Valencia Jaguars will venture away from home to square off against the Centennial Hawks at 3:00 p.m. Valencia is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 52.1 points per game this season.

Valencia is coming in fresh off a high-stakes matchup with another one of New Mexico's top teams: Kirtland Central, who was ranked fifth at the time (Valencia was ranked 17th). Valencia fell 56-48 to Kirtland Central on Thursday. The Jaguars' loss signaled the end of their six-game winning streak.

Despite their defeat, Valencia saw several players rise to the challenge and make noteworthy plays. Jaiden Montgomery, who dropped a double-double on 11 points and ten boards, was perhaps the best of all. Montgomery is becoming a predictor of Valencia's success: when she posts at least eight rebounds the team is 6-2 (and 1-2 when she doesn't). Jadyn Montoya was another key player, putting up 14 points.

Meanwhile, Centennial came up short against La Cueva last Saturday and fell 52-41. The Hawks have now taken an 'L' in back-to-back games.

Like Valencia, Centennial lost despite seeing results from several players. Rizaya Cash led the charge by posting 11 points. Another player making a difference was Joy Hunt, who posted ten points.

Valencia's loss ended a five-game streak of wins at home and dropped them to 7-4. As for Centennial, their defeat dropped their record down to 2-4.

Valencia came up short against Centennial in their previous matchup back in December of 2021, falling 40-34. Can Valencia avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.