Preview: NorthWood Panthers vs. Merrillville Pirates
The NorthWood Panthers will finish 2023 at home by hosting the Merrillville Pirates at 11:30 a.m. on Friday. NorthWood will be looking to extend their current nine-game winning streak.
Last Friday, NorthWood didn't have too much trouble with South Bend Adams at home as they won 56-40. Given NorthWood's advantage in MaxPreps' Indiana basketball rankings (they are ranked 43rd, while South Bend Adams is ranked 189th), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.
Joselyn Edwards and Claire Payne were among the main playmakers for NorthWood as the former scored 20 points along with seven rebounds and the latter dropped a double-double on 18 points and 15 rebounds. Those seven rebounds set a new season-high mark for her. The team also got some help courtesy of Haylee Heflin, who scored ten points.
Meanwhile, Merrillville unfortunately witnessed the end of their three-game winning streak on Friday. They took a 38-33 hit to the loss column at the hands of Andrean. The result shouldn't come as a shock considering that's the fewest points Merrillville has scored all season.
NorthWood pushed their record up to 12-2 with that victory, which was their seventh straight at home. As for Merrillville, their loss ended a three-game streak of wins at home and dropped them to 6-6.
NorthWood was able to grind out a solid victory over Merrillville in their previous matchup back in December of 2022, winning 47-37. Does NorthWood have another victory up their sleeve, or will Merrillville turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
