Basketball Game Preview: Freeport Pretzels vs. Belvidere North Blue Thunder

The Freeport Pretzels will square off against the Belvidere North Blue Thunder at 7:15 p.m. on Wednesday. Freeport is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 55.4 points per game this season.

Last Monday, Freeport ended up a good deal behind Central and lost 72-53. While losing is never fun, the Pretzels can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Illinois basketball rankings (they are ranked 397th, while the Rockets are ranked 109th).

Despite their defeat, Freeport saw several players rise to the challenge and make noteworthy plays. Kazion Morehead, who dropped a double-double on 17 points and ten boards, was perhaps the best of all. With that strong performance, Morehead is now averaging an impressive 15.1 points per game. Andrew Seward was another key player, going 7 for 12 on his way to 21 points and seven rebounds.

Even though they lost, Freeport smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 16 offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least 11 offensive rebounds in four consecutive matchups.

Meanwhile, Belvidere North was not able to break out of their rough patch on Friday as the team picked up their sixth straight loss. They took a hard 52-33 fall against Hononegah.

Freeport's defeat dropped their record down to 7-11. As for Belvidere North, their loss dropped their record down to 6-12.

Freeport didn't have too much breathing room in their contest against Belvidere North in their previous matchup back in February of 2024, but they still walked away with a 49-43 victory. Will Freeport repeat their success, or does Belvidere North have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.