Basketball Game Preview: Phillips Loggers vs. Newman Fighting Cardinals

Phillips and Newman are an even 4-4 against one another since January of 2018, but not for long. The Phillips Loggers will be playing at home against the Newman Fighting Cardinals at 5:30 p.m. on Friday. One thing working in Phillips' favor is that they have posted at least 55 points in their last four contests.

Newman is facing Phillips at the wrong time: Phillips suffered their first home loss of the season on Friday and they're likely out for redemption. They opened the new year with a less-than-successful 68-58 defeat to the Blackhawks. The loss was a bit of a surprise, as the Loggers came into the matchup with a sizable advantage in MaxPreps' Wisconsin basketball rankings (they are ranked 108th, while the Blackhawks are ranked 219th).

Meanwhile, Newman was not able to break out of their rough patch back in December of 2024 as the team picked up their fourth straight loss. They fell 50-41 to Stratford.

Newman's defeat dropped their record down to 1-8. As for Phillips, their loss ended a five-game streak of wins at home dating back to last season and dropped them to 6-2.

Phillips strolled past Newman in their previous meeting back in January of 2024 by a score of 65-49. Will Phillips repeat their success, or does Newman have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.