Basketball Game Preview: Jefferson Dragons vs. Middleton Tigers

The Jefferson Dragons will take on the Middleton Tigers at 8:00 p.m. on Friday. Jefferson is coming into the game on a six-game losing streak.

It's never fun to lose, and it's even less fun to lose 80-26, which was the final score in Jefferson's tilt against Jesuit on Wednesday. While losing is never fun, the Dragons can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Florida basketball rankings (they are ranked 707th, while the Tigers are ranked 154th).

Meanwhile, Middleton came into Wednesday's contest having lost 16 straight, but that streak is now in the rearview. They walked away with a 67-56 win over Brandon on Wednesday.

Jefferson better keep an eye on Sherrick Oliver. He was instrumental in Middleton's win, putting up 25 points. The match was Oliver's third in a row with at least ten points. Another player making a difference was Jeremiah Smith, who posted 15 points.

Middleton's victory ended a 16-game drought on the road dating back to last season and puts them at 1-15. As for Jefferson, their defeat dropped their record down to 1-18.

Jefferson beat Middleton 55-46 when the teams last played back in January of 2024. The rematch might be a little tougher for Jefferson since the team won't have the home-court advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.