Preview: Redbank Valley Bulldogs vs. Ellwood City Wolverine
The Redbank Valley Bulldogs will finish 2023 at home by hosting the Ellwood City Wolverine at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Redbank Valley will be looking to keep their seven-game home win streak (dating back to last season) alive.
Last Thursday, Redbank Valley was able to grind out a solid victory over Freeport, taking the game 64-53. Despite the victory, that was the fewest points Redbank Valley has scored all season.
Redbank Valley's success was the result of a balanced attack that saw several players step up, but Kieran Fricko led the charge by scoring 23 points. Those 23 points set a new season-high mark for him. Another player making a difference was Mason Clouse, who scored 11 points along with six rebounds and four steals.
Meanwhile, Ellwood City came up short against Neshannock on Tuesday and fell 62-51. While losing is never fun, Ellwood City can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Pennsylvania basketball rankings (they are ranked 476th, while Neshannock is ranked 141st).
Ellwood City's loss came about despite a quality game from Joseph Roth, who dropped a double-double on 21 points and 17 rebounds. The match was Roth's eighth in a row with at least ten points. Nathan Williams was another key contributor, scoring ten points along with six rebounds.
Redbank Valley's victory bumped their record up to 5-0. As for Ellwood City, their defeat dropped their record down to 3-5.
