Basketball Game Preview: Jefferson Prep vs. Our Lady of the Sun Academy Angels

Jefferson Prep are taking a road trip to take on the Our Lady of the Sun Academy Angels at 5:15 p.m. on Friday. Neither Jefferson Prep nor Our Lady of the Sun Academy posted many points in their last games, so it might be the defenses that decide this one.

Jefferson Prep will head into Thursday's contest out to bounce back: they won a close one the last time they played, but unfortunately they suffered a serious change of fortune last Thursday. They were outmatched by Wickenburg Christian Academy and fell 68-26. While losing is never fun, Jefferson Prep can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Arizona basketball rankings (they are ranked 208th, while Wickenburg Christian Academy is ranked 82nd).

Meanwhile, after a string of three wins, Our Lady of the Sun Academy's good fortune finally ran out on Wednesday. They were beaten by Academy with Community Partners 71-19. The game marked the Angels' lowest-scoring match so far this season.

Jefferson Prep will have to contain Joseph Gilmor as he made an impact in Our Lady of the Sun Academy's last game. He posted 14 points in addition to eight boards and four steals. Gilmor is crushing it when it comes to steals: he's grabbed at least four every time he's taken the court this season. The team also got some help courtesy of Joseph Reiss, who earned two points along with six rebounds and three steals.

Our Lady of the Sun Academy's loss dropped their record down to 7-7. As for Jefferson Prep, their defeat dropped their record down to 4-3.

Jefferson Prep came out on top in a nail-biter against Our Lady of the Sun Academy when the teams last played last Monday, sneaking past 65-62. The rematch might be a little tougher for Jefferson Prep since the squad won't have the home-court advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.