Basketball Game Preview: Independence Patriots vs. Greenbrier East Spartans

The Independence Patriots will challenge the Greenbrier East Spartans at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday. Greenbrier East took a loss in their last contest and will be looking to turn the tables on Independence, who comes in off a win.

Independence took a loss when they played away from home on Saturday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Wednesday. They strolled past Bluefield with points to spare, taking the game 46-31.

Lacey Goodson

Points

02/05/25 vs Bluefield	20
02/01/25 @ South Charleston	15
01/30/25 @ Shady Spring	22
01/29/25 vs Greenbrier West	17
01/27/25 vs PikeView	18
+ 2 more games

Independence's success was spearheaded by the efforts of Lacey Goodson, who dropped a double-double on 20 points and ten boards, and Harmony Mills, who went 6 of 13 en route to 21 points along with five rebounds and four steals. Goodson's evening made it seven games in a row in which she has scored at least 15 points. Another player making a difference was Kassidy Bradbury, who posted three points and four steals.

Independence smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 11 offensive rebounds. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least nine offensive boards in 11 consecutive games.

Meanwhile, Greenbrier East faced Nitro in a battle between two of the state's top teams on Friday. Greenbrier East lost 69-49 to Nitro. For those keeping track at home, that's the biggest defeat the Spartans have suffered since December 4, 2023.

Greenbrier East's loss dropped their record down to 16-1. As for Independence, their victory bumped their record up to 5-10.

Independence took a serious blow against Greenbrier East in their previous matchup back in November of 2018, falling 90-33. Can Independence avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.