Basketball Game Preview: Howell Vikings vs. Howell North Knights

The Howell Vikings will take on the Howell North Knights at 5:30 p.m. on Friday. Given that both suffered a loss in their last games, they both have a little extra motivation heading into this match.

Howell is coming in fresh off a high-stakes matchup with another one of Missouri's top teams: Troy-Buchanan, who was ranked 11th at the time (Howell was ranked 15th). Howell took a 54-44 hit to the loss column at the hands of Troy-Buchanan on Tuesday. The Vikings have been going strong on the season, but this is now their second loss in a row.

Meanwhile, Howell North was not able to break out of their rough patch on Tuesday as the team picked up their third straight defeat. They took a 59-41 bruising from Howell Central. That's two games in a row now that the Knights have lost by exactly 18 points.

Howell's loss was their first in the district, dropping their district record down to 4-1 and their overall record down to 15-4. As for Howell North, their defeat dropped their record down to 6-11.

Howell ended up a good deal behind Howell North in their previous meeting back in February of 2024, losing 63-47. Can Howell avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.