Basketball Game Preview: Giltner Hornets vs. High Plains Storm

The Giltner Hornets and the High Plains Storm will compete for holiday cheer at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Giltner's defense has only allowed 29.4 points per game this season, so High Plains' offense will have their work cut out for them.

Giltner will head out to face High Plains after giving up their first home loss of the season on Tuesday. Giltner had to suffer through a 54-18 loss at the hands of Nebraska Lutheran. The game marked the Hornets' lowest-scoring contest so far this season.

Despite the loss, Giltner saw an underclassman step up: sophomore Braxton Cady posted six points. Cady is also crushing it when it comes to steals: he's grabbed at least two every time he's taken the court this season.

Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask High Plains). They simply couldn't be stopped on Tuesday as they easily beat Nebraska Christian 82-49. The Storm have made a habit of sweeping their opponents off the court, having now won three matches by 25 points or more this season.

Giltner better focus on containing Ayden Hans and Carter Urkoski as the pair were huge in High Plains' win. Hans went 8 of 13 on his way to 22 points and three steals, while Urkoski dropped a double-double on 20 points and ten boards. That's the most points Urkoski has posted since back in December of 2023. The team also got some help courtesy of Brodey Spurling, who went 5 of 12 on his way to 10 points in addition to eight rebounds and three blocks.

High Plains was working as a unit and finished the game with 19 assists. That's the most assists they've managed all season.

Having lost for the first time this season, Giltner fell to 4-1. As for High Plains, they now have a winning record of 3-2.

Rebounding is likely to be a big factor in this contest: Giltner has crashing the boards this season, having averaged 30.4 boards per game. However, it's not like High Plains struggles in that department as they've been averaging 31.8 boards. With both teams battling to corral missed shots, we'll see if one team can grab an edge.

Giltner couldn't quite finish off High Plains in their previous meeting back in February and fell 54-51. Can Giltner avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.