Basketball Game Preview: Southern Indians vs. East Palestine Bulldogs

The Southern Indians just played yesterday, but they'll still head out to face the East Palestine Bulldogs at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday. Southern is coming into the match on a three-game losing streak.

Southern is headed into the contest having just suffered their biggest defeat since December 12, 2024 on Wednesday. They were outmatched by Columbiana and fell 42-11. While losing is never fun, the Indians can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Ohio basketball rankings (they are ranked 538th, while the Clippers are ranked 236th).

Meanwhile, you're bound to get a positive result if you outscore your opponent every quarter, and that's exactly how it played out for East Palestine on Monday. They took down Leetonia 31-16. The Bulldogs didn't have much to brag about two games back, but this win makes it their second in a row.

Southern better focus on containing Alivia Magness and Jacklyn Ogle as the pair were huge in East Palestine's win. Magness posted 12 points along with seven steals and six boards, while Ogle put up 14 points in addition to five rebounds and four steals. That's the most points Magness has posted since back in January of 2024. Marley Blythe was another key player, putting up a point in addition to six boards and four steals.

Southern's loss dropped their record down to 11-8. As for East Palestine, their victory ended an eight-game drought on the road and puts them at 5-14.

Everything came up roses for Southern against East Palestine in their previous meeting on January 2nd, as the team secured a 58-31 win. The rematch might be a little tougher for Southern since the squad won't have the home-court advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.