Basketball Game Preview: Cranford Cougars vs. Oak Knoll Royals

The Cranford Cougars will square off against the Oak Knoll Royals at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. Given that the two teams suffered a loss in their last games, they both have a little extra motivation heading into this contest.

For whatever reason, it's the away team that's had the advantage when Cranford and Union Catholic meet (two straight games heading into this one) and that held true again on Saturday. The Cougars took a 50-46 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Vikings.

Meanwhile, Oak Knoll came up short against Johnson on Tuesday, falling 64-41. While losing is never fun, the Royals can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' New Jersey basketball rankings (they are ranked 104th, while the Crusaders are ranked 33rd).

Cranford dropped their record down to 11-12 with the defeat, which was their fourth straight at home. As for Oak Knoll, their loss dropped their record down to 11-10.

Cranford beat Oak Knoll 36-26 in their previous matchup back in December of 2025. Do the Cougars have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Royals turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.