Preview: KIPP vs. Champaign Central Maroons
KIPP are on the road again on Thursday and play against the Champaign Central Maroons at 9:15 p.m. on December 28th. Both teams come into the game bolstered by wins in their previous matches.
KIPP scored the most points they've had all season to find success on Wednesday. They blew past Gateway Science Academy 81-43 on the road. Given KIPP's advantage in MaxPreps' Missouri basketball rankings (they are ranked 215th, while Gateway Science Academy is ranked 499th), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.
Meanwhile, Champaign Central had to endure a three-game losing streak, but that streak is no more. They secured a 43-39 W over Decatur Eisenhower on Tuesday. The victory was just what Champaign Central needed coming off of a 61-39 defeat in their prior game.
Luke Swanson was the offensive standout of the match as he scored 12 points along with three steals. The team also got some help courtesy of Aidyn Beck, who scored eight points along with eight rebounds.
KIPP's record now sits at 4-1. As for Champaign Central, they now have a winning record of 7-6.
KIPP came up short against Champaign Central when the teams last played back in December of 2022, falling 51-43. Can KIPP avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
