Basketball Game Preview: Ridgeview Panthers vs. Fletcher Senators

The Ridgeview Panthers just played yesterday, but they'll still head out to face the Fletcher Senators at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. Both come into the matchup bolstered by wins in their previous matches.

Ridgeview picked up another tournament win on Friday. They came out on top against ED White by a score of 60-53. Given the Panthers' advantage in MaxPreps' Florida basketball rankings (they are ranked 148th, while the Commanders are ranked 355th), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.

Narissa Blocton and Nacoya Blocton were among the main playmakers for Ridgeview as the former went 8 for 17 on her way to 30 points and five steals and the latter went 7 of 14 on her way to 17 points in addition to five rebounds and three steals. Narissa has been hot, having posted two or more steals the last five times she's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Emma Rayes, who posted six points.

Meanwhile, it was close, but on FridayFletcher capped 2024 with a 41-39 victory over Oakleaf. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Senators.

Fletcher's win was their sixth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 11-3. The wins came thanks to their offensive performance across that stretch, as they averaged 50.2 points per game. As for Ridgeview, they have been performing well recently as they've won four of their last five contests, which provided a nice bump to their 7-3 record this season.

Everything came up roses for Ridgeview against Fletcher in their previous matchup back in January of 2023, as the team secured a 66-18 victory. In that game, Ridgeview amassed a halftime lead of 40-12, an impressive feat they'll look to repeat on Saturday.