Basketball Game Preview: Deer Valley Wolverines vs. Heritage Patriots

Deer Valley hasn't had much luck against Heritage recently, but that could start to change on Tuesday. The Deer Valley Wolverines will take on the Heritage Patriots at 6:30 p.m. Given that both suffered a loss in their last games, they both have a little extra motivation heading into this match.

Deer Valley is headed into Tuesday's contest looking for a big change in momentum after dropping their 22nd straight game dating back to last season on Friday. They were beaten by Antioch 90-40. One positive for the Wolverines, at least, is that this was the most points they've scored all season.

Meanwhile, Heritage entered their game against Freedom on Tuesday without any home losses, but there's a first time for everything. Heritage took a 54-39 bruising from Freedom. While the Patriots didn't get the win, they did start the game off strong, beating the Falcons 12-4 in the first quarter.

Deer Valley will need focus on slowing down Payton Ladrido, one of several Heritage players who made an impact when they last played. She posted 12 points. The team also got some help courtesy of Gelenna Smithers, who earned five points.

Even though they lost, Heritage smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 15 offensive rebounds. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least eight offensive boards in 20 consecutive matches.

Heritage's defeat ended a five-game streak of wins at home and dropped them to 13-9. As for Deer Valley, their loss dropped their record down to 0-9.

Deer Valley was dealt a bruising 64-15 defeat at the hands of Heritage when the teams last played back in January. That contest was all but decided by halftime, at which point Deer Valley was down 40-5.