Basketball Game Preview: Bayard Tigers vs. Valentine

The Bayard Tigers will challenge Valentine at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Bayard is coming into the contest on a four-game losing streak.

Last Thursday, Bayard came up short against South Platte and fell 45-32.

Shayleigh West

Steals

02/13/25 @ South Platte	2
02/07/25 vs Hemingford	3
02/06/25 vs Kimball	3
02/01/25 @ Bridgeport	2
01/30/25 @ Minatare	7
01/25/25 vs Garden County	3

Despite their defeat, Bayard saw several players rise to the challenge and make noteworthy plays. Shayleigh West, who posted 13 points, was perhaps the best of all. West is also on a roll when it comes to steals, as she's now grabbed two or more in each of the last six games she's played. Jayde McAllister was another key player, putting up two points along with six steals and five boards.

Meanwhile, Valentine lost to North Central at home by a 56-40 margin on Thursday.

Bayard will have to keep a close watch on Paige Sprenger and Joni Cox, a pair of players who had a big impact on Valentine's prior game. Sprenger had 21 points in addition to eight rebounds and six steals, while Cox put up 14 points along with five boards and four steals. That was a full 52.5% of Valentine's points, marking the third time in a row Sprenger has earned more than a third of the team's points. Camilla Brown also deserves some recognition as she posted her first assist of the season.

Even though they lost, Valentine smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 13 offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least eight offensive rebounds in four consecutive matchups.

Bayard now has a losing record of 10-11. As for Valentine, they have traveled a rocky road recently having lost eight of their last nine games, which has put a noticeable dent in their 6-16 record this season.