Basketball Game Preview: James F. Byrnes Rebels vs. Riverside Warriors

James F. Byrnes and Riverside are an even 5-5 against one another since January of 2020, but not for long. The James F. Byrnes Rebels will look to defend their home court on Thursday against the Riverside Warriors at 7:30 p.m. Both teams are coming into the game red-hot, with James F. Byrnes sitting on 18 straight wins and Riverside on eight.

Last Friday, James F. Byrnes strolled past Boiling Springs with points to spare, taking the game 59-43. The 59-point effort marked the Rebels' lowest-scoring match of the season, but in the end it didn't matter.

James F. Byrnes relied on the efforts of Fabian McClintock, who went 10 of 15 on his way to 20 points and eight rebounds, and Colt Fowler, who dropped a double-double on 14 points and 11 assists. Those 20 points gave McClintock a new career-high. Jamari Cullen was another key player, putting up four points in addition to six boards and four steals.

Meanwhile, Riverside didn't have too much trouble with Gaffney on Friday as they won 55-36. Given the Warriors' advantage in MaxPreps' South Carolina basketball rankings (they are ranked 17th, while the Indians are ranked 105th), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.

Riverside pushed their record up to 13-4 with the victory, which was their fifth straight at home. The wins came thanks to their offensive performance across that stretch, as they averaged 59.4 points per game. As for James F. Byrnes, their win bumped their record up to 18-0.

James F. Byrnes came up short against Riverside in their previous matchup back in December of 2023, falling 57-52. Will James F. Byrnes have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.