Basketball Game Preview: Sutton Mustangs vs. Cross County Cougars

The Sutton Mustangs will square off against the Cross County Cougars at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.

Cross County is hoping to do what Centura couldn't on Tuesday: put an end to Sutton's winning streak, which now stands at nine games. Sutton blew past Centura 49-27. For those keeping track at home, that's the biggest win the Mustangs have posted against the Centurions since December 20, 2018.

Sutton got their victory on the backs of several key players, but it was Weston Ohrt out in front who posted 12 points. That's the most points Ohrt has posted since back in December of 2023. Another player making a difference was Harrison Herndon, who earned 12 points.

Meanwhile, you're bound to get a positive result if you outscore your opponent every quarter, and that's exactly how it played out for Cross County on Friday. Given that consistent dominance, it should come as no surprise that they blew Osceola out of the water with a 66-34 final score. The matchup was pretty much decided by the half, when the score had already reached 38-14.

Sutton better keep an eye on Thatcher Hanson. He was instrumental in Cross County's win, going 7 of 8 on his way to 17 points along with five assists and three steals. Hanson has been hot, having posted two or more steals the last eight times he's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Brock Allen, who put up 12 points in addition to eight boards and four steals.

Cross County was working as a unit and finished the game with 16 assists. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Osceola only racked up eight assists.

Sutton's win was their seventh straight at home dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 9-1. They've dominated over that stretch too, winning by an average of 25.3 points. As for Cross County, the victory made it two in a row for them and bumps their season record up to 7-2.

Sutton suffered a grim 49-25 defeat to Cross County in their previous meeting back in January of 2024. Can Sutton avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.