Basketball Game Preview: Rock Canyon Jaguars vs. Ponderosa Mustangs

Rock Canyon is 9-0 against Ponderosa since January of 2015 and they'll have a chance to extend that success on Friday. The Rock Canyon Jaguars will face off against the Ponderosa Mustangs at 7:00 p.m. Keep an eye on the score for this one: both posted some lofty point totals in their previous games.

Rock Canyon is headed into Friday's contest looking for a big change in momentum after dropping their third straight game on Wednesday. They were four points away from ending the streak, but they lost a 82-78 heartbreaker at the hands of Cherry Creek.

Rock Canyon might have lost, but man, Kasen Lehman was a machine: he went 13 of 23 on his way to 31 points and six boards. The game was Lehman's third in a row with at least ten points. The team also got some help courtesy of Cooper Ellwood, who went 6 for 8 en route to 12 points and five steals.

Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Ponderosa, who bounced back after a loss on the road last Wednesday. They came out on top against Evergreen by a score of 59-50 on Tuesday.

Rock Canyon's loss dropped their record down to 5-7. As for Ponderosa, their victory bumped their record up to 5-6.

Rock Canyon was able to grind out a solid win over Ponderosa in their previous meeting back in February of 2024, winning 67-54. One of the biggest obstacles trying to stand in the way of that victory was Ponderosa's Dylan Karsteter, who went 8 of 14 on his way to 20 points in addition to five assists and three blocks. Now that he won't be playing on Friday, will it be easier for Rock Canyon to walk away with another win? There's only one way to find out.