Basketball Game Preview: Cherryville Ironmen vs. Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy Gryphons

Cherryville is 8-2 against Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy since February of 2021 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Thursday. The Cherryville Ironmen will challenge the Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy Gryphons at 6:30 p.m. Cherryville has now lost 18 straight, leaving the team hunting for their first win since December 4.

Cherryville is headed in fresh off scoring the most points they have all season. They were outmatched by Bessemer City and fell 104-77.

Paxton Pruett

Assists (Career)

02/11/25 vs Bessemer City	4
01/31/25 @ Bessemer City	1
01/29/25 vs East Gaston	1
01/28/25 @ Shelby	1
01/17/25 vs Piedmont Community Charter	1

Despite their defeat, Cherryville saw several players rise to the challenge and make noteworthy plays. Paxton Pruett, who dropped a double-double with 17 points and ten rebounds, was perhaps the best of all. The dominant performance also gave Pruett a new career-high in assists (four). Another player making a difference was Andron Patterson, who dropped a double-double with 16 points and 12 boards.

Even though they lost, Cherryville smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 12 offensive boards. This was only their 13th loss (out of 14 games) when they hit their own glass that hard.

Meanwhile, Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy suffered their biggest loss since February 13, 2024 on Tuesday. They took a blow against Shelby, falling 81-51. The Gryphons haven't had much luck with the Golden Lions recently, as the team's come up short the last nine times they've met.

Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy's defeat dropped their record down to 17-6. As for Cherryville, their loss dropped their record down to 1-22.

Cherryville suffered a grim 78-53 defeat to Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy in their previous meeting back in January. Can Cherryville avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.