Basketball Game Preview: Belvidere North Blue Thunder vs. Jefferson J-Hawks

The Belvidere North Blue Thunder will challenge the Jefferson J-Hawks at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Both teams took a loss in their last game, so they'll have plenty of motivation to get the 'W'.

Belvidere North came into their game on Friday off a hard-fought close win, but unfortunately suffered a serious change of fortune. They were dealt a 60-22 defeat at the hands of Guilford. The loss continues a trend for the Blue Thunder in their matchups with the Vikings: they've now lost six in a row.

Meanwhile, Jefferson lost to Rockford Auburn at home by a 58-40 margin on Friday. While losing is never fun, the J-Hawks can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Illinois basketball rankings (they are ranked 501st, while the Knights are ranked 130th).

Jefferson's defeat was their sixth straight at home, which dropped their record down to 4-25. As for Belvidere North, their loss dropped their record down to 8-21.

Belvidere North beat Jefferson 49-40 when the teams last played back in December of 2024. One of the biggest obstacles the team faced in that game was Jefferson's Abbie Bracius, who posted 26 points. Now that she's got a second chance to win this matchup, will Belvidere North still be able to contain Bracius? Check MaxPreps.com after the match to find out.