Preview: Neligh-Oakdale Warriors vs. Chambers/Wheeler Central Renegades
Neligh-Oakdale is 1-9 against Chambers/Wheeler Central since February of 2015 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Friday. Having just played yesterday, the Neligh-Oakdale Warriors will get right back to it and host the Chambers/Wheeler Central Renegades at 6:00 p.m. on February 9th. The teams are on pretty different trajectories at the moment (Neligh-Oakdale has three straight victories, Chambers/Wheeler Central has three straight defeats), but none of that matters once you're on the field.
You can't lose the game if you win every quarter, and that was precisely Neligh-Oakdale's strategy against Wausa on Thursday. Neligh-Oakdale was the clear victor by a 40-17 margin over Wausa. For those curious, yes, that was the biggest win Neligh-Oakdale has managed all season.
Neligh-Oakdale got their win on the backs of several key players, but it was Hailey Horstmann out in front who scored 13 points along with eight rebounds and two steals. jayce gadeken was another key contributor, scoring five points along with 11 rebounds and seven steals.
Meanwhile, it's never fun to lose, and it's even less fun to lose 76-33, which was the final score in Chambers/Wheeler Central's tilt against Elgin/Pope John on Tuesday. While losing is never fun, Chambers/Wheeler Central can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Nebraska basketball rankings (they are ranked 222nd, while Elgin/Pope John is ranked 53rd).
Despite the defeat, Chambers/Wheeler Central got a solid performance out of Ella Moses, who scored 16 points along with eight rebounds.
Neligh-Oakdale's win ended a three-game drought at home and bumped them up to 6-13. As for Chambers/Wheeler Central, they have been struggling recently as they've lost six of their last seven matchups, which put a noticeable dent in their 7-13 record this season.
This contest is one where the number of possessions is likely to be a big factor: Neligh-Oakdale have been smashing the glass this season, having averaged 24.1 rebounds per game. However, it's not like Chambers/Wheeler Central struggles in that department as they've been averaging 28 rebounds per game. Given these competing strengths, it'll be interesting to see how their clash plays out.
Neligh-Oakdale came up short against Chambers/Wheeler Central when the teams last played back in February of 2023, falling 39-34. Will Neligh-Oakdale have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check MaxPreps after the match for a full breakdown of the game, commentary, and other basketball content.
