Basketball Game Preview: Crocker Lions vs. Niangua Cardinals

A feisty cat fight will be fought when the Crocker Lions take on the Niangua Cardinals at 6:00 p.m. on Friday...

Crocker is probably headed into the match with a chip on their shoulder considering Osceola just ended the team's three-game winning streak two weeks ago. They fell just short of the Indians by a score of 55-53. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest defeat the Lions have suffered since January 27, 2024.

Niangua got their first taste of in-conference action this week and they started things off strong. They walked away with a 47-39 victory over Everton on Tuesday. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Cardinals.

Niangua's win bumped their record up to 3-7. As for Crocker, their loss ended a three-game streak of away wins dating back to last season and brought them to 5-4.

Crocker came up short against Niangua in their previous matchup back in January of 2023, falling 52-48. Thankfully for Crocker, Ethan Scheetz (who went 12 of 14 on his way to 30 points in addition to five boards and five steals) won't be suiting up this time. Will that be enough to change the final result? There's only one way to find out.