Basketball Game Preview: Calvary Saints vs. South County Vipers

The Calvary Saints will square off against the South County Vipers at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Calvary is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 65.7 points per game this season.

Calvary is headed in fresh off scoring the most points they have all season. They took their contest on Monday with ease, bagging a 90-40 victory over Illinois School for the Deaf. Given the Saints' advantage in MaxPreps' Illinois basketball rankings (they are ranked 223rd, while the Tigers are ranked 656th), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.

Luke Blackford

Points

02/24/25 vs Illinois School for the Deaf	29
02/21/25 vs Pawnee	17
02/18/25 vs Warrensburg-Latham	25
02/17/25 vs Triad	25
02/14/25 @ Lincolnwood	33
+ 18 more games

It was another big night for Luke Blackford, who on his way to 29 points and five rebounds. His evening made it 23 games in a row in which he has scored at least 16 points. Antione Hunter was another key player, dropping a double-double with 21 points and 13 boards.

Calvary smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 22 offensive rebounds. That's the most offensive boards they've posted since back in December of 2023.

Meanwhile, two teams were on the hunt for playoff glory, but only South County walked away with it. They took down the Indians 42-24 on Monday. Winning may never get old, but the Vipers sure are getting used to it with their fifth in a row.

Calvary has been performing well recently as they've won nine of their last 12 games. That's provided a nice bump to their 22-10 record this season. The wins came thanks in part to their offensive performance across that stretch, as they averaged 70.3 points over those games. South County pushed their record up to 19-13 with the win, which was their third straight at home.

Calvary strolled past South County in their previous matchup back in January by a score of 71-53. The rematch might be a little tougher for Calvary since the team won't have the home-court advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.