Basketball Game Preview: Manzanola Bobcats vs. Pikes Peak Christian Eagles

The Manzanola Bobcats will venture away from home to square off against the Pikes Peak Christian Eagles at 6:30 p.m. on Friday.

Manzanola is headed into the game out to prove that what happened against Primero on Saturday (when they were outscored in every quarter) was just a minor bump in the road. Manzanola was outmatched by Primero and fell 76-29. While losing is never fun, the Bobcats can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Colorado basketball rankings (they are ranked 343rd, while the Bulldogs are ranked 123rd).

Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Pikes Peak Christian). They simply couldn't be stopped on Thursday as they easily beat South Park 77-22. The Eagles have made a habit of sweeping their opponents off the court, having now won eight matches by 20 points or more this season.

Manzanola better focus on containing Eddie Harmon and Matthew Crocfer as the pair were huge in Pikes Peak Christian's win. Harmon dropped a double-double with 17 points and ten steals, while Crocfer went 8-for-18 on his way to 23 points and six steals. Harmon's evening made it 14 games in a row in which he has scored at least 16 points. The team also got some help courtesy of Max Singler, who posted eight points and nine rebounds.

Pikes Peak Christian smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 24 offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least eight offensive rebounds in 22 consecutive contests dating back to last season.

Manzanola's defeat was their tenth straight at home, which dropped their record down to 3-16. As for Pikes Peak Christian, they are on a roll lately: they've won three of their last four games. That's provided a nice bump to their 11-6 record this season.

Manzanola was dealt a bruising 79-45 loss at the hands of Pikes Peak Christian in their previous meeting back in February of 2022. Thankfully for Manzanola, Isaiah Wehner (who went 8-for-11 en route to 21 points and five boards) won't be suiting up this time. Will that be enough to change the final result? There's only one way to find out.