Basketball Game Preview: Newcomerstown Trojans vs. Marietta Tigers

The Newcomerstown Trojans will take on the Marietta Tigers at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Newcomerstown is coming into the matchup on a three-game losing streak.

Newcomerstown saw some tournament action on Sunday. The contest between them and Claymont didn't end well, with Newcomerstown falling 58-44.

Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Marietta, who bounced back after a loss on the road last Monday. They enjoyed a cozy 66-51 victory over Point Pleasant on Thursday. Given the Tigers' advantage in MaxPreps' basketball rankings in their respective home states (they are ranked 94th in Ohio, while the Big Blacks are ranked 484th in West Virginia), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.

Marietta pushed their record up to 9-2 with the win, which was their ninth straight at home dating back to last season. Those victories came thanks to their offensive performance across that stretch, as they averaged 66.7 points per game. As for Newcomerstown, their loss dropped their record down to 3-10.