Basketball Game Preview: Madison County Mountaineers vs. Clarke County Eagles

The Madison County Mountaineers will square off against the Clarke County Eagles at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Both are strolling into their contests after big wins in their previous games.

Madison County is headed in fresh off scoring the most points they have all season. They blew past East Rockingham 63-26 on Wednesday. The victory was all the more spectacular given the Mountaineers' disadvantage in MaxPreps' Virginia basketball rankings (they are ranked 289th, while the Eagles are ranked 93rd).

Madison County's win was a true team effort, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Gracie Woodward, who posted three points and six rebounds. Ayana Green also deserves some recognition as she posted her first blocks of the season.

Madison County smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 16 offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least 12 offensive rebounds in eight consecutive matchups.

Meanwhile, Clarke County entered their tilt with Rappahannock County on Thursday with two consecutive wins but they'll enter their next game with three. They breezed by Rappahannock County to the tune of 79-31. The Eagles have made a habit of sweeping their opponents off the court, having now won six games by 23 points or more this season.

Clarke County's victory bumped their record up to 8-3. As for Madison County, their win bumped their record up to 4-8.

Madison County was dealt a bruising 72-37 loss at the hands of Clarke County in their previous meeting back in February of 2024. Can Madison County avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.