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

The Valor Preparatory Academy Owls will face off against the Jackson Day Mariners at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Given that the two teams suffered a loss in their last games, they both have a little extra motivation heading into this game.

On Friday, Valor Preparatory Academy came up short against Sugar Creek Charter and fell 64-52. The defeat continues a trend for the Owls in their matchups with the Wildcats: they've now lost three in a row.

Meanwhile, Jackson Day has relied on a stalwart defense averaging 29.07 points allowed per game, but that average took a hit on Friday. They fell to Carolina International 72-66. While losing is never fun, the Mariners can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' North Carolina basketball rankings (they are ranked 276th, while the Comets are ranked 98th).

Jackson Day's loss was their sixth straight on the road dating back to last season, which dropped their record down to 2-13. As for Valor Preparatory Academy, their defeat dropped their record down to 5-11.

Valor Preparatory Academy took their win against Jackson Day in their previous meeting back in January of 2024 by a conclusive 70-49. Will Valor Preparatory Academy repeat their success, or does Jackson Day have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.