Basketball Game Preview: Croatan Cougars vs. Richlands Wildcats

Croatan and Richlands are an even 5-5 against one another since February of 2020, but not for long. A feisty cat fight is on tap when the Croatan Cougars face off against the Richlands Wildcats at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday. One thing working in Croatan's favor is that they have posted at least 55 points in their last nine matchups.

Croatan is probably headed into the game with a chip on their shoulder considering White Oak just ended the team's seven-game winning streak on Friday. They took a 64-56 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Vikings.

Croatan's defeat shouldn't obscure the performances of Trey Jones, who almost dropped a double-double on 27 points and nine boards, and Kannon McBride, who went 6 for 11 en route to 14 points in addition to eight rebounds and three steals. Jones continues to improve, besting his previous point total in each of the last three games he's played. Jaden Hilliard was another key player, putting up seven points and eight rebounds.

Even though they lost, Croatan smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with ten offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least ten offensive rebounds in four consecutive contests.

Meanwhile, Richlands came into Monday's match having lost four straight, but that streak is now in the rearview. They strolled past Dixon with points to spare back in December of 2024, taking the game 56-42. That looming 56-42 mark stands out as the most commanding margin for the Wildcats yet this season.

Croatan's loss dropped their record down to 11-3. As for Richlands, their victory bumped their record up to 4-9.

Croatan strolled past Richlands when the teams last played back in February of 2024 by a score of 80-66. One of the biggest obstacles the team faced in that game was Richlands' Lenny Halfter-Hunter, who dropped a double-double on 28 points and 11 boards. Now that he's got a second chance to win this matchup, will Croatan still be able to contain Halfter-Hunter? There's only one way to find out.