Preview: Red Cloud Crusaders vs. Belle Fourche Broncs
Red Cloud is 8-0 against Belle Fourche since January of 2015, and they'll have a chance to extend that success on Friday. The Red Cloud Crusaders' road trip will continue as they head out to face the Belle Fourche Broncs at 2:30 p.m. on December 29th. Given that the pair suffered a loss in their last game, they both have a little extra motivation heading into this matchup.
It's never fun to lose, and it's even less fun to lose 61-30, which was the final score in Red Cloud's tilt against Custer last Saturday. The result shouldn't come as a shock considering that's the fewest points Red Cloud has scored all season.
Red Cloud's loss shouldn't obscure the performances of Braylon Little, who scored eight points, and Nick Zuniga who scored nine points. Little scored a full 26.7% of Red Cloud's points, the third time in a row he's earned more than a third of the team's points.
Red Cloud struggled to get the ball back on offense and finished the game with only an offensive rebound. That's the fewest offensive rebounds they've managed all season.
Meanwhile, Belle Fourche took a serious blow against Hot Springs on Friday, falling 75-42. Belle Fourche has struggled against Hot Springs recently, as their contest on Friday was their third consecutive lost matchup.
Belle Fourche's defeat came about despite a quality game from Jet Jensen, who scored 21 points along with five rebounds. The matchup was Jensen's third in a row with at least ten points.
Red Cloud's defeat dropped their record down to 3-2. As for Belle Fourche, their loss dropped their record down to 1-3.
Friday's match is shaping up to be a scrappy contest: Red Cloud have been smashing the glass this season, having only averaged 31.8 rebounds per game. It's a different story for Belle Fourche, though, as they've been averaging only 26.2 rebounds per game. Given Red Cloud's sizeable advantage in that area, Belle Fourche will need to find a way to close that gap.
Red Cloud beat Belle Fourche 67-59 in their previous matchup back in January. The rematch might be a little tougher for Red Cloud since the squad won't have the home-court advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
