Preview: Heartland Mustangs vs. Center Place
The Heartland Mustangs will be playing in front of their home fans against Center Place at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday. The teams are on pretty different trajectories at the moment (Heartland has four straight wins, Center Place has six straight losses), but none of that matters once you're on the field.
On Tuesday, Heartland was able to grind out a solid win over Plaza Heights Christian Academy, taking the game 34-22.
It was another big night for Esther Archibald, who scored 14 points along with seven steals and six rebounds. Archibald is absolutely dominating the steal category: she's posted at least two every time she's taken the court this season. The team also got some help courtesy of Elizabeth Archibald, who scored ten points.
Meanwhile, Center Place's 17-2 record from last season is now well into the rear view mirror after another tough outing. They were dealt a 49-16 defeat at the hands of Christian Learning Center on Friday. The result shouldn't come as a shock considering that's the fewest points Center Place has scored all season.
Despite the defeat, Center Place had strong showings from Isabelle Howen, who scored four points along with seven rebounds and two steals, and Rylie Kroesen, who scored five points along with five rebounds and two steals.
Even though they lost, Center Place smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 17 offensive rebounds. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Christian Learning Center only pulled down eight offensive rebounds.
Heartland pushed their record up to 11-3 with that victory, which was their sixth straight at home. As for Center Place, their defeat dropped their record down to 2-6.
Heartland was able to grind out a solid victory over Center Place when the teams last played two weeks ago, winning 53-40. Will Heartland repeat their success, or does Center Place have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
