Basketball Game Preview: Callaway Chargers vs. Madison-Ridgeland Academy Patriots

Having just played yesterday, the Callaway Chargers will jump right back in to play the Madison-Ridgeland Academy Patriots at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. Both teams took a loss in their last game, so they'll have plenty of motivation to get the 'W'.

On Friday, Callaway was within striking distance but couldn't close the gap as they fell 63-57 to Ridgeland. While losing is never fun, the Chargers can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Mississippi basketball rankings (they are ranked 58th, while the Titans are ranked fourth).

Meanwhile, Madison-Ridgeland Academy ended up a good deal behind Olive Branch on Saturday and lost 54-40. The game marked the Patriots' lowest-scoring matchup so far this season.

Callaway will need focus on slowing down Joshua Smith, one of several Madison-Ridgeland Academy players who made an impact when they last played. He posted 11 points in addition to eight boards and three blocks. Another player making a difference was Jack Pentecost, who had eight points.

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

Madison-Ridgeland Academy's defeat dropped their record down to 8-4. As for Callaway, they now have a losing record at 6-7.

Callaway couldn't quite finish off Madison-Ridgeland Academy when the teams last played back in December of 2023 and fell 51-49. Can Callaway avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.