Basketball Game Preview: Putnam County Panthers vs. Earlville Red Raiders

Having just played yesterday, the Putnam County Panthers will jump right back in to play the Earlville Red Raiders at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday. Putnam County is looking for their season's first victory.

Putnam County saw some tournament action on Friday. Their2024 ended with a 46-30 defeat against Indian Creek. While losing is never fun, the Panthers can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Illinois basketball rankings (they are ranked 704th, while the Timberwolves are ranked 327th).

Meanwhile, Earlville was not able to break out of their rough patch on Friday as the team picked up their third straight loss. They were four points away from ending the streak, but they lost a 51-47 heartbreaker at the hands of Wethersfield.

Putnam County will have to keep a close watch on Easton Fruit and Adam Waite, a pair of players who had a big impact on Earlville's prior game. Fruit went 8 for 20 on his way to 20 points in addition to six boards and three steals, while Waite dropped a double-double on 15 points and 20 boards. That's the most rebounds Waite has posted since back in November of 2023. The team also got some help courtesy of Colton Fruit, who posted nine points and five rebounds.

Even though they lost, Earlville was working as a unit and finished the game with 12 assists. This was only their ninth loss (out of 11 games) when they've passed the ball that well.

Earlville's defeat dropped their record down to 2-12. As for Putnam County, their loss dropped their record down to 0-12.