Basketball Game Preview: Stratford Spartans vs. Whites Creek Cobras

Stratford hasn't had much luck against Whites Creek recently, but that could start to change on Friday. The Stratford Spartans will venture away from home to take on the Whites Creek Cobras at 7:30 p.m.

Last Wednesday, Stratford was within striking distance but couldn't close the gap as they fell 44-39 to Antioch. While losing is never fun, the Spartans can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Tennessee basketball rankings (they are ranked 331st, while the Bears are ranked 91st).

Stratford's defeat came about despite a quality game from Darrin Bailey, who went 7 for 17 on his way to 14 points and seven rebounds. That's the most points Bailey has posted since back in February of 2024. The team also got some help courtesy of David Barr, who posted four points.

Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Whites Creek). They really took it to Maplewood for the full four quarters, racking up a 78-46 win. The victory made it back-to-back wins for the Cobras.

Stratford better focus on containing Eric Bryson and Noah Hughes as the pair were huge in Whites Creek's win. Bryson went 9 of 13 on his way to 24 points, while Hughes went 5 of 9 on his way to 12 points in addition to seven assists and four steals. The team also got some help courtesy of Michael Palmer, who went 5 for 6 on his way to 10 points and three blocks.

Whites Creek was working as a unit and finished the game with 20 assists. That's the most assists they've managed all season.

Whites Creek's victory was their third straight at home, which pushed their record up to 5-9. Those victories came thanks to their offensive performance across that stretch, as they averaged 65.0 points per game. As for Stratford, their loss dropped their record down to 3-11.

Stratford was taken down by Whites Creek 69-23 in their previous matchup back in February of 2024. Can Stratford avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.