Basketball Game Preview: Clarkdale Bulldogs vs. McLaurin Tigers

The Clarkdale Bulldogs will wrap up 2024 with a road trip to face off against the McLaurin Tigers at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. Clarkdale has been dominant on offense recently, having racked up an incredible 190 points over their last three contests.

Last Friday, Clarkdale didn't have too much trouble with Noxapater as they won 63-46.

Cade Culpepper was his usual excellent self, putting up 35 points along with seven steals and six boards. He is on a roll when it comes to steals, as he's now grabbed three or more in the last six games he's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Cameron Crowell, who posted ten points.

Meanwhile, after a string of five wins, McLaurin's good fortune finally ran out on Saturday. They fell 57-50 to Holmes County Central.

Despite the loss, McLaurin saw an underclassman step up: freshman Tylon Williams went 7 of 10 on his way to 21 points. Those 21 points set a new season-high mark for Williams. The team also got some help courtesy of Trenton White, who put up 11 points in addition to eight rebounds and three steals.

Clarkdale pushed their record up to 8-5 with the victory, which was their third straight on the road. Those victories came thanks to their offensive performance across that stretch, as they averaged 56.3 points per game. As for McLaurin, their defeat dropped their record down to 14-3.

Clarkdale ended up a good deal behind McLaurin when the teams last played back in November, losing 68-49. Can Clarkdale avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.