Basketball Game Preview: Richland Rams vs. Westmont Hilltop Hilltoppers

The Richland Rams will venture away from home to challenge the Westmont Hilltop Hilltoppers at 7:15 p.m. on Friday.

Richland is headed into the matchup out to prove that what happened against Greater Johnstown on Wednesday (when they were outscored in every quarter) was just a minor bump in the road. Richland was beaten by Greater Johnstown 84-42. The loss continues a trend for the Rams in their matchups with the Trojans: they've now lost four in a row.

Meanwhile, Westmont Hilltop waltzed into their game on Wednesday with two straight wins... but they left with three. They breezed by the Bisons to the tune of 61-29. Given the Hilltoppers' advantage in MaxPreps' Pennsylvania basketball rankings (they are ranked 62nd, while the Bisons are ranked 587th), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.

Richland's defeat dropped their record down to 5-4. As for Westmont Hilltop, their win bumped their record up to 9-1.

Richland ended up a good deal behind Westmont Hilltop in their previous matchup back in January of 2024, losing 62-46. Can Richland avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.