Basketball Game Preview: Maple Heights Mustangs vs. Lorain Titans

Maple Heights hasn't had much luck against Lorain recently, but that could start to change on Friday. The Maple Heights Mustangs will be playing in front of their home fans against the Lorain Titans at 7:00 p.m. Maple Heights knows how to get points on the board -- the team has finished with 55 points or more in their past six matchups -- so hopefully Lorain likes a good challenge.

Maple Heights will head into Friday's contest hoping to keep the good times rolling: they had to skate by with only a three-point margin when they last took the court, which might have inspired the 38-point drubbing they dealt Shaw on Friday. Maple Heights breezed by Shaw to the tune of 80-42. Given the Mustangs' advantage in MaxPreps' Ohio basketball rankings (they are ranked 212th, while the Cardinals are ranked 632nd), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.

Maple Heights got their win on the backs of several key players, but it was Kaelon Hurt out in front who went 6 of 7 en route to 15 points and eight assists. The team also got some help courtesy of Mike Banks, who went 6 for 10 on his way to 19 points.

Maple Heights smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 20 offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least nine offensive rebounds in three consecutive games.

Meanwhile, Lorain suffered their biggest defeat since December 19, 2024 on Friday. They lost 68-45 to Warrensville Heights. The Titans have now taken an 'L' in back-to-back games.

Maple Heights' victory ended a three-game drought at home and bumped them up to 6-6. As for Lorain, their loss ended a three-game streak of wins at home and dropped them to 5-8.

Maple Heights and Lorain were neck-and-neck in their previous meeting back in December of 2024, but Maple Heights came up empty-handed after a 67-66 defeat. Will Maple Heights have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check MaxPreps after the match for a full breakdown of the game, commentary, and other basketball content.