Basketball Game Preview: Centre Cougars vs. Thunder Ridge Longhorns

The Centre Cougars are taking a road trip to take on the Thunder Ridge Longhorns at 6:00 p.m. on Monday. Given that the two teams suffered a loss in their last games, they both have a little extra motivation heading into this match.

Last Friday, Centre lost to Chase County at home by a 50-32 margin. While losing is never fun, the Cougars can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Kansas basketball rankings (they are ranked 324th, while the Bulldogs are ranked 65th).

Meanwhile, it's never fun to lose, and it's even less fun to lose 61-34, which was the final score in Thunder Ridge's tilt against Rock Hills on Friday. The Longhorns have struggled against the Grizzlies recently, as the game was their fourth consecutive lost matchup.

Centre will have to contain Madison Brown as she made an impact in Thunder Ridge's last game. She posted 11 points along with seven boards and four steals. What's more, Brown posted three assists, the most she's had since back in January of 2024. Jenna Barnes was another key player, putting up eight points in addition to five rebounds and four steals.

Even though they lost, Thunder Ridge smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 15 offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least 13 offensive rebounds in nine consecutive games.

Thunder Ridge's record is now 6-11. As for Centre, their loss was their third straight at home, which dropped their record down to 3-16.