Basketball Game Preview: Derby Panthers vs. Junction City Bluejays

The Derby Panthers will head out to take on the Junction City Bluejays at 7:30 p.m. on Monday. Derby knows how to get points on the board -- the squad has finished with 55 points or more in their past 12 matchups -- so hopefully Junction City likes a good challenge.

Last Tuesday, Derby didn't have too much trouble with Hutchinson as they won 69-54. Given the Panthers' advantage in MaxPreps' Kansas basketball rankings (they are ranked third, while the Salthawks are ranked 142nd), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.

Derby got their win on the backs of several key players, but it was Cale Clingan out in front who went 5 of 10 on his way to 13 points and eight rebounds. Another player making a difference was Jack Ulwelling, who posted 14 points and six boards.

Meanwhile, Junction City didn't have quite enough to beat Washburn Rural on Thursday and fell 59-56.

Junction City's loss ended a six-game streak of away wins and brought them to 9-3. As for Derby, their victory was their eighth straight on the road dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 12-0.

Derby beat Junction City 67-57 in their previous matchup on Friday. Does Derby have another victory up their sleeve, or will Junction City turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.