Basketball Game Preview: Centennial Titans vs. Independence Knights

Centennial is on a three-game streak of home wins, while Independence is on a five-game streak of away wins: one of those streaks is about to end. The Titans will welcome the Knights at 5:45 p.m. on Friday. Centennial has been getting the ball to fall more lately as they've increased their point totals each of their last three games.

Centennial barely beat Denton the last time the pair played, but that sure wasn't the case this time around. The Titans were the clear victors by a 43-20 margin over the Broncos on Tuesday. While the Titans didn't have the best season last year (they finished 8-21), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past.

Meanwhile, Independence was able to grind out a solid victory over Liberty Christian on Saturday, taking the game 41-30.

Independence's win came from a few key players Centennial will need to keep an eye on. One of the most notable was Ja'Ah Bryant-Smith, who dropped a double-double with 14 points and 12 boards. She is becoming a predictor of Independence's success: when she posts at least eight rebounds the team is 6-2 (and 2-3 when she doesn't). Another player making a difference was Ashley Hubert, who posted 11 points along with eight boards and three steals.

Independence was working as a unit and finished the game with ten assists. They are a perfect 5-0 when they've passed the ball that well.

Independence's win bumped their record up to 8-5. As for Centennial, their victory bumped their record up to 8-4.

Centennial couldn't quite get it done against Independence when the teams last played back in January as they fell 50-40. Can the Titans avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.