Basketball Game Preview: Hobgood Charter Raiders vs. Columbia Wildcats

The Hobgood Charter Raiders will head out to face off against the Columbia Wildcats at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Hobgood Charter is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 51.8 points per game this season.

Having struggled with six losses in a row, Hobgood Charter turned things around against Mattamuskeet on Tuesday. They strolled past the Lakers with points to spare, taking the game 54-38.

Hudson Roberson

Rebounds

01/14/25 vs Mattamuskeet	12
02/02/24 @ Mattamuskeet	12
01/19/24 @ Columbia	11
12/08/23 vs Northeast Academy For Aerospace and Advanced Tech	11
02/15/24 @ Cape Hatteras	10

Hobgood Charter relied on the efforts of Khrie Rascoe, who went 11 of 19 on his way to 23 points and three steals, and Hudson Roberson, who dropped a double-double on 16 points and 12 boards. That's the most rebounds Roberson has posted since back in February of 2024. The team also got some help courtesy of Carlos Martinez, who posted four points along with seven boards and three steals.

Hobgood Charter was working as a unit and finished the game with 13 assists. That's the most assists they've managed all season.

Meanwhile, Columbia lost 61-36 to Ocracoke on Tuesday. The defeat continues a trend for the Wildcats in their matchups with the Dolphins: they've now lost four in a row.

Hobgood Charter will have to contain Jayden Sawyer as he made an impact in Columbia's last game. He went 6 for 12 en route to 21 points and eight rebounds. Sawyer's evening made it five games in a row in which he has scored at least ten points. Jaimarques Whitley was another key player, putting up seven points and five boards.

Columbia's loss dropped their record down to 2-10. As for Hobgood Charter, their victory bumped their record up to 4-6.

Rebounding is likely to be a big factor in this contest: Hobgood Charter has been crashing the rebounds this season, having averaged 29 boards per game. However, it's not like Columbia struggles in that department as they've been averaging 28.2 rebounds. With both teams battling to corral missed shots, we'll see if one team can grab an edge.

Everything came up roses for Hobgood Charter against Columbia in their previous meeting back in February of 2024, as the squad secured a 71-34 win. The rematch might be a little tougher for Hobgood Charter since the team won't have the home-court advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.