Basketball Game Preview: Maple Heights Mustangs vs. Bedford Bearcats

Maple Heights is on a six-game streak of home losses, and Bedford a four-game streak of away losses. However, someone's due for a change in luck on Friday. The Maple Heights Mustangs will welcome the Bedford Bearcats at 7:30 p.m. Maple Heights has given up an average of 72.8 points per game this season, but Friday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

Last Thursday, Maple Heights was within striking distance but couldn't close the gap as they fell 58-52 to Lutheran West. While losing is never fun, the Mustangs can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Ohio basketball rankings (they are ranked 603rd, while the Longhorns are ranked 259th).

Meanwhile, it was a proper cat-fight when Bedford faced off against Warrensville Heights on Friday. The Bearcats took a 62-54 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Tigers.

Maple Heights will need to focus on slowing down Kevin Woodgett, one of several Bedford players who made an impact when they last played. He shot 56% from the field to rack up 28 points and eight rebounds. Aaron Mcguinea was another key player, going 5-for-10 on his way to 17 points and six boards.

Maple Heights' defeat dropped their record down to 2-14. As for Bedford, their loss dropped their record down to 10-5.

Maple Heights suffered a grim 68-48 defeat to Bedford in their previous meeting back in December of 2025. A big factor in that loss was the dominant performance of Mcguinea, who shot 64% from the field en route to 25 points and seven rebounds. Now that the Mustangs know the damage he can cause, will they be able to stop him this time? There's only one way to find out.