Basketball Game Preview: Independence Wildcats vs. Rosa Fort Lions

Independence is on a five-game streak of home wins, while Rosa Fort is on a four-game streak of away wins: one of those streaks is about to end. A feisty cat fight will be fought when the Independence Wildcats duke it out with the Rosa Fort Lions at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. Keep an eye on the score for this one: both posted some lofty point totals in their previous games.

Independence will bounce into Thursday's contest after beating Holly Springs, who they had gone 1-8 against in their nine prior meetings. Independence sure made it a nail-biter, but they managed to escape with a 69-66 win over Holly Springs on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Rosa Fort hadn't done well against Coahoma County recently (they were 0-3 in their previous three matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Friday. Rosa Fort walked away with a 55-47 victory over Coahoma County. While the Lions didn't have the best season last year (they finished 9-14), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past.

Independence better keep an eye on Robert Boyd. He was instrumental in Rosa Fort's win, dropping a double-double on 26 points and 11 boards. Those 26 points gave Boyd a new career-high. Carlos Smith was another key player, putting up nine points.

Independence's win bumped their record up to 8-2. As for Rosa Fort, their victory bumped their record up to 7-1.

Independence didn't have too much breathing room in their game against Rosa Fort in their previous meeting back in February, but they still walked away with a 62-58 win. Does Independence have another victory up their sleeve, or will Rosa Fort turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.