Basketball Game Preview: Hi-Plains Patriots vs. Kim/Branson Mustangs

The Hi-Plains Patriots will challenge the Kim/Branson Mustangs at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. Both teams took a loss in their last game, so they'll have plenty of motivation to get the 'W'.

Hi-Plains is headed into Friday's contest hungry for a win as their strong season has now been derailed by two straight defeats. They took a 31-22 hit to the loss column at the hands of Briggsdale on Saturday. The matchup marked the Patriots' lowest-scoring game so far this season.

Serenity Hernandez

Rebounds (Career)

03/01/25 vs Briggsdale	10
02/10/24 vs Rocky Mountain Lutheran	8
02/07/25 vs Flagler	7
02/03/24 @ Otis	7
02/15/25 @ Miami-Yoder	6

Hi-Plains' loss shouldn't obscure the performances of Brianna Rueb, who posted four points, and Serenity Hernandez, who had five points in addition to ten rebounds and four steals. Those ten boards gave Hernandez a new career-high.

Meanwhile, after a string of three wins, Kim/Branson's good fortune finally ran out on Thursday. They were outmatched by Springfield and fell 56-26. For those keeping track at home, that's the biggest defeat the Mustangs have suffered against the Longhorns since February 27, 2020.

Hi-Plains will need to focus on slowing down Sorrel Mosimann, one of several Kim/Branson players who made an impact when they last played. She scored eight points and seven rebounds.

Hi-Plains' loss dropped their record down to 15-8. As for Kim/Branson, their defeat dropped their record down to 12-8.

Rebounding is likely to be a big factor in this contest: Hi-Plains has been crashing the boards this season, having averaged 27.9 boards per game. However, it's not like Kim/Branson struggles in that department as they've been averaging 30.6 rebounds. With both teams battling to corral missed shots, we'll see if one team can grab an edge Check MaxPreps after the action for a full breakdown of the game and more basketball content.