Basketball Game Preview: Vandalia Christian Vikings vs. Union Grove Christian Patriots

The Vandalia Christian Vikings will take on the Union Grove Christian Patriots at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday. Vandalia Christian will be strutting in after a victory while Union Grove Christian will be coming in after a defeat.

Vandalia Christian is headed in fresh off scoring the most points they have all season. They came out on top in a nail-biter against Alamance Christian on Tuesday, sneaking past 52-49. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win the Vikings have posted since November 14, 2023.

Jaida Steele was her usual excellent self, putting up 24 points. The dominant performance gave her a new career-high in points. The team also got some help courtesy of Brittany Guido, who posted nine points.

Meanwhile, Union Grove Christian suffered their closest loss since November 12, 2024 on Tuesday. They fell just short of Triad Baptist Christian Academy by a score of 32-30. The Patriots haven't had much luck with the Titans recently, as the team's come up short the last four times they've met.

Vandalia Christian will need focus on slowing down Taylor Hanes, one of several Union Grove Christian players who made an impact when they last played. She scored eight points along with 11 boards and three steals. Hanes is on a roll when it comes to steals, as she's now grabbed two or more in the last three games she's played. Klaire Cromer was another key player, earning 11 points and three steals.

Union Grove Christian's defeat dropped their record down to 14-11. As for Vandalia Christian, their victory bumped their record up to 6-8.

Vandalia Christian took their win against Union Grove Christian in their previous matchup back in February of 2024 by a conclusive 48-28. Does Vandalia Christian have another victory up their sleeve, or will Union Grove Christian turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.