Basketball Game Preview: Warren County Wildcats vs. Manassas Park Cougars

Warren County is on a four-game streak of home losses, Manassas Park a five-game streak of away losses, but someone's luck will change on Monday. A feisty cat fight is on tap when the Warren County Wildcats take on the Manassas Park Cougars at 7:30 p.m. Warren County is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 52.7 points per game this season.

Having struggled with five losses in a row, Warren County turned things around against Brentsville District on Friday. They blew past the Tigers, posting a 71-39 victory. For those keeping track at home, that's the biggest win the Wildcats have posted since December 20, 2024.

Warren County's success was spearheaded by the efforts of Adrian Craig, who went 7 for 12 en route to 19 points and three steals, and Ethan Bare, who went 6 of 9 on his way to 13 points in addition to six boards and three steals. Bare continues to improve, besting his previous point total in each of the last three games he's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Jaivion Smith, who posted seven points along with five rebounds and three steals.

Warren County smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 14 offensive boards. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved their offensive board total in three consecutive matchups.

Meanwhile, it's never fun to lose, and it's even less fun to lose 74-17, which was the final score in Manassas Park's tilt against Fauquier on Friday. While losing is never fun, the Cougars can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Virginia basketball rankings (they are ranked 410th, while the Falcons are ranked 155th).

Warren County's victory bumped their record up to 4-13. As for Manassas Park, their defeat dropped their record down to 1-16.

Warren County was able to grind out a solid win over Manassas Park when the teams last played back in January of 2024, winning 53-40. Will Warren County repeat their success, or does Manassas Park have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.