Basketball Game Preview: Blacksburg Wildcats vs. East Rutherford Cavaliers

Blacksburg is 0-3 against East Rutherford since December of 2018 but things could change on Tuesday. The Wildcats will be defending their home court for the first time this season when they go up against the Cavaliers at 7:45 p.m. East Rutherford took a loss in their last contest and will be looking to turn the tables on Blacksburg, who comes in off a win.

Blacksburg is coming home in high spirits after they had to open their season on the road against Chase. The Wildcats strolled past the Trojans with points to spare on Monday, taking the game 61-44.

Jd Bonner

Points (Career)

11/24/25 @ Chase	21
01/07/25 vs Landrum	20
01/24/25 vs Greenville Tech Charter	15
01/31/25 vs Liberty	13
01/28/25 @ Chesnee	13

Blacksburg can attribute much of their success to Jd Bonner, who went 7-for-13 to rack up 21 points and five steals, and Tyeon Mays, who dropped a double-double with 14 points and ten boards. Those 21 points gave Bonner a new career-high. Jonathan Phillips was another key player, putting up eight points and five rebounds.

Meanwhile, East Rutherford lost to McDowell on the road by a 64-45 margin on Tuesday. The loss continues a trend for the Cavaliers in their meetings with the Titans: they've now lost three in a row.

Despite the defeat, East Rutherford saw an underclassman step up: sophomore Kendyll Simmons posted 11 points and three steals. The team also got some help courtesy of Blake Suttle, who put up nine points and eight boards.

Blacksburg couldn't quite get it done against East Rutherford when the teams last played back in December of 2022 as they fell 62-54. Thankfully for the Wildcats, Dacen Petty (who shot 47% from the field en route to 26 points in addition to eight rebounds and three steals) won't be suiting up this time. Will that be enough to change the final result? Check MaxPreps.com after the match to find out.