Basketball Game Preview: McMinn County Cherokees vs. Howard Tech Hustlin' Tigers

The McMinn County Cherokees will head out to challenge the Howard Tech Hustlin' Tigers at 7:30 p.m. on Monday. One thing working in McMinn County's favor is that they have posted at least 55 points in their last three contests.

McMinn County is probably headed into the matchup with a chip on their shoulder considering Walker Valley just ended the team's three-game winning streak on Friday. They fell 81-73 to the Mustangs. While losing is never fun, the Cherokees can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Tennessee basketball rankings (they are ranked 95th, while the Mustangs are ranked 12th).

Meanwhile, Howard Tech beat Sequatchie County 66-53 on Thursday.

Howard Tech's victory ended an 11-game drought on the road dating back to last season and puts them at 2-17. As for McMinn County, their defeat dropped their record down to 11-9.

McMinn County skirted past Howard Tech 56-53 in their previous meeting back in February of 2024. Will McMinn County repeat their success, or does Howard Tech have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.