Basketball Game Preview: Litchfield Purple Panthers vs. Southwestern Piasa Birds

Two dominant centers in Nate Schaake and Ian Brantley are getting ready to go toe-to-toe. The Litchfield Purple Panthers will hit the road for the first time this season to take on the Southwestern Piasa Birds at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Given that both suffered a loss in their last games, they both have a little extra motivation heading into this contest.

Litchfield lost 67-42 to Routt Catholic on Friday. While losing is never fun, the Purple Panthers can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Illinois basketball rankings (they are ranked 223rd, while the Rockets are ranked 16th).

Litchfield's defeat came about despite a quality game from Brayden Ronco, who posted 13 points and three steals. The team also got some help courtesy of Keenan Logan, who put up 12 points.

Meanwhile, Southwestern lost to Wesclin at home by a 67-53 margin on Tuesday. The Piasa Birds haven't had much luck with the Warriors recently, as the team's come up short the last six times they've met.

Litchfield will need focus on slowing down Brantley, one of several Southwestern players who made an impact when they last played. He dropped a double-double on 20 points and 11 boards. Brantley has been hot, having posted ten or more rebounds the last five times he's played. Cason Robinson was another key player, going 5 of 12 on his way to 15 points.

Litchfield now has a losing record at 2-3. As for Southwestern, their loss ended a nine-game streak of wins at home dating back to last season and dropped them to 4-5.

Litchfield came up short against Southwestern in their previous matchup back in February, falling 53-48. Can Litchfield avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.