Basketball Game Preview: Wyoming Valley West Spartans vs. Hazleton Area Cougars

Wyoming Valley West is 1-9 against Hazleton Area since January of 2020 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Monday. The Wyoming Valley West Spartans will venture away from home to face off against the Hazleton Area Cougars at 7:15 p.m.

Last Thursday, Wyoming Valley West was within striking distance but couldn't close the gap as they fell 43-38 to Crestwood. While losing is never fun, the Spartans can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Pennsylvania basketball rankings (they are ranked 213th, while the Comets are ranked 52nd).

Meanwhile, Hazleton Area put another one in the bag on Thursday to keep their perfect season alive. They blew past Pittston, posting a 68-35 win. The Cougars have made a habit of sweeping their opponents off the court, having now won 18 contests by 20 points or more this season.

Wyoming Valley West's loss dropped their record down to 7-9. As for Hazleton Area, their victory was their 11th straight at home dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 20-0.

Wyoming Valley West was dealt a bruising 81-40 defeat at the hands of Hazleton Area when the teams last played back in January. Can Wyoming Valley West avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.