Basketball Game Preview: Horton Chargers vs. Maranatha Christian Academy Eagles

The Horton Chargers will challenge the Maranatha Christian Academy Eagles at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday. The timing is sure in Horton's favor as the squad sits on four straight wins at home while Maranatha Christian Academy has been banged up by three consecutive losses on the road.

Horton fought the good fight in their overtime match against Troy on Friday but wound up with a less-than-desirable result. They took a 69-62 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Trojans.

Meanwhile, Maranatha Christian Academy scored the most points they've had this season on Thursday, but it wasn't enough. They took a 98-79 bruising from Bishop Seabury Academy. While losing is never fun, the Eagles can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Kansas basketball rankings (they are ranked 280th in Kansas, while the Seahawks are ranked 54th in Kansas).

Horton will need to focus on slowing down Owen Smail, one of several Maranatha Christian Academy players who made an impact when they last played. He posted 19 points and eight assists. Those 19 points gave Smail a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Luke Shrader, who had 19 points and eight rebounds.

Maranatha Christian Academy's loss dropped their record down to 4-16. As for Horton, their defeat dropped their record down to 14-6.

Horton didn't have too much breathing room in their contest against Maranatha Christian Academy in their previous matchup back in January, but they still walked away with a 55-51 victory. Will Horton repeat their success, or does Maranatha Christian Academy have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.