Basketball Game Preview: Independence Patriots vs. Oak Hill Red Devils

The Independence Patriots will head out to face off against the Oak Hill Red Devils at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Keep an eye on the score for this one: the two teams posted some lofty point totals in their previous games.

Independence is headed into the contest having just posted their biggest victory since January 4th on Saturday. They were the clear victor by a 64-40 margin over Liberty. The Patriots didn't have much to brag about two games back, but this win makes it their second in a row.

Independence's success was spearheaded by the efforts of Harmony Mills, who dropped a double-double with 26 points and ten rebounds, and Lacey Goodson, who dropped a double-double with 23 points and ten boards. That makes it 11 consecutive games in which Goodson has scored at least a third of Independence's points. The team also got some help courtesy of Addy Whittaker, who posted four points and nine rebounds.

Independence smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 29 offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least eight offensive rebounds in 15 consecutive games.

Meanwhile, Oak Hill came tearing into last Monday's match with three straight wins (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 21.7 points), and they left with even more momentum. They breezed past the Warriors to the tune of 73-44. The Red Devils have made a habit of sweeping their opponents off the court, having now won five contests by 21 points or more this season.

Independence's record is now 7-12. As for Oak Hill, the victory got them back to even at 8-8.

Independence took a serious blow against Oak Hill in their previous matchup back in February of 2020, falling 62-24. Can Independence avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.