Basketball Game Preview: Sutherland Sailors vs. Maxwell Wildcats

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Previous Games

02/06/24 - Home	41-49 L
02/07/23 - Away	36-35 W
02/08/22 - Home	45-30 W
02/09/21 - Away	48-24 W
02/11/20 - Away	23-46 L
+ 5 more games

Sutherland and Maxwell are an even 5-5 against one another since February of 2016, but not for long. The Sailors will take on the Wildcats at 4:30 p.m. on Monday. Given that the two teams suffered a loss in their last games, they both have a little extra motivation heading into this game.

Sutherland saw some tournament action on Friday. They lost 61-37 to Paxton. The Sailors haven't had much luck with the Tigers recently, as the team has come up short the last five times they've met.

Meanwhile, Maxwell ended up a good deal behind Maywood/Hayes Center on Friday and lost 61-45. While losing is never fun, the Wildcats can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Nebraska basketball rankings (they are ranked 190th, while the Wolves are ranked 37th).

Sutherland will have to contain Kristyn Cheek as she made an impact in Maxwell's last game. She went 5-for-9 to rack up 13 points in addition to eight boards and four steals. Cheek is also on a roll when it comes to field goal percentage, as she's posted one of at least 45% in the last five games she's played. Another player making a difference was Emory Christensen, who posted nine points and eight rebounds.

Sutherland's defeat dropped their record down to 6-9. As for Maxwell, their loss dropped their record down to 4-11.

Sutherland couldn't quite get it done against Maxwell in their previous matchup back in February of 2024 as they fell 49-41. A big factor in that loss was the dominant performance of Cheek, who shot 73% from the field on her way to 27 points along with seven boards and seven steals. Now that the Sailors know the damage she can cause, will they be able to stop her this time? There's only one way to find out.