Basketball Game Preview: Hi-Plains Patriots vs. McClave Cardinals

Hi-Plains is 0-6 against McClave since December of 2014 but things could change on Thursday. The Hi-Plains Patriots will square off against the McClave Cardinals at 4:00 p.m. Both come into the match bolstered by wins in their previous matches.

Hi-Plains is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Saturday. They walked away with a 40-32 victory over De Beque. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Patriots.

Meanwhile, McClave waltzed into their game on Saturday with five straight wins... but they left with six. They blew past the Panthers, posting a 61-23 win. The Cardinals have made a habit of sweeping their opponents off the court, having now won 17 contests by 28 points or more this season.

Hi-Plains better keep an eye on Abrielle Gomez. She was instrumental in McClave's win, shooting 62% from the field en route to 24 points along with three steals and three blocks. Gomez is on a roll when it comes to steals, as she's now grabbed two or more in each of the last 30 games she's played dating back to last season. Emily Melgoza was another key player, putting up eight points in addition to six assists and five rebounds.

McClave smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 14 offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least 14 offensive rebounds in three consecutive matchups.

Hi-Plains' victory bumped their record up to 17-8. As for McClave, their win bumped their record up to 23-2.

Hi-Plains was taken down by McClave 66-25 in their previous meeting back in March of 2024. Thankfully for Hi-Plains, McKayla Kiniston (who dropped a triple-double with 16 points, ten boards, and ten steals) won't be suiting up this time. Will that be enough to change the final result? There's only one way to find out.