Basketball Game Preview: Center Roughriders vs. Bullard Panthers

The Center Roughriders will take on the Bullard Panthers at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Center is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 57.4 points per game this season.

Center is probably headed into the match with a chip on their shoulder considering Hallsville just ended the team's three-game winning streak on Tuesday. They took a 68-51 bruising from the Bobcats. While losing is never fun, the Roughriders can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Texas basketball rankings (they are ranked 303rd, while the Bobcats are ranked 141st).

Despite their defeat, Center saw several players rise to the challenge and make noteworthy plays. JaKevin(Tiki) Robinson, who posted ten points and seven rebounds, was perhaps the best of all. Another player making a difference was Tim Johnson, who went 6 of 15 on his way to 14 points and seven rebounds.

Even though they lost, Center smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 22 offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least 12 offensive rebounds in six consecutive games.

Meanwhile, Bullard beat Jefferson 65-53 on Monday. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Panthers.

Bullard pushed their record up to 15-6 with the win, which was their fourth straight on the road. Those victories came thanks to their offensive performance across that stretch, as they averaged 71.8 points per game. As for Center, their loss dropped their record down to 10-6.

Center came up short against Bullard when the teams last played back in November of 2023, falling 74-66. Will Center have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check MaxPreps after the action for a full breakdown of the game and more basketball content.