Basketball Game Preview: Hay Springs Hawks vs. Banner County Wildcats

The Hay Springs Hawks will take on the Banner County Wildcats on Friday. The teams are on pretty different trajectories at the moment (Hay Springs has three straight victories, Banner County has nine straight losses), but none of that matters once you're on the court.

Hay Springs is headed into the game having just posted their closest win since February 3, 2024 on Tuesday. They had just enough and edged Cody-Kilgore out 56-54. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest victory the Hawks have posted against the Cowboys/Cowgirls since December 3, 2021.

Hay Springs got their win on the backs of several key players, but it was Dylan Young out in front who went 5 for 11 on his way to 11 points in addition to six boards and five assists. That's the most assists Young has posted since back in December of 2023. The team also got some help courtesy of Jaron Dahlgren, who went 5 of 10 on his way to 15 points and five rebounds.

Meanwhile, Banner County was within striking distance but couldn't close the gap on Tuesday as they fell 42-38 to Sioux County.

Hay Springs' victory bumped their record up to 3-4. As for Banner County, their defeat dropped their record down to 0-8.

Everything came up roses for Hay Springs against Banner County in their previous meeting back in December of 2023, as the team secured a 61-29 win. The rematch might be a little tougher for Hay Springs since the squad won't have the home-court advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.