Basketball Game Preview: Southwest Roughriders vs. Axtell Wildcats

Southwest is 2-8 against Axtell since February of 2016 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Friday. The Southwest Roughriders will be playing in front of their home fans against the Axtell Wildcats at 7:00 p.m. Given that the two teams suffered a loss in their last games, they both have a little extra motivation heading into this game.

It's never fun to lose, and it's even less fun to lose 75-37, which was the final score in Southwest's tilt against Perkins County last Thursday. While losing is never fun, the Roughriders can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Nebraska basketball rankings (they are ranked 236th, while the Plainsmen are ranked 72nd).

Southwest's defeat came about despite a quality game from Houston Billeter, who posted 26 points and five rebounds. That was a full 70.3% of Southwest's points, marking the 15th time in a row he's had more than a third of the team's points.

Meanwhile, Axtell was within striking distance but couldn't close the gap on Tuesday as they fell 69-65 to Loomis.

Axtell's loss dropped their record down to 7-12. As for Southwest, this is the second loss in a row for them and also nudges their season record down to 7-12.

Southwest took a serious blow against Axtell when the teams last played back in February of 2024, falling 69-38. Will Southwest 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.