Basketball Game Preview: Overbrook Panthers vs. West Philadelphia Speedboys

The Overbrook Panthers will head out to take on the West Philadelphia Speedboys at 3:15 p.m. on Thursday.

Overbrook is probably headed into the game with a chip on their shoulder considering Carver High School of Engineering & Science just ended the team's three-game winning streak on Tuesday. They took a 56-49 hit to the loss column at the hands of Carver High School of Engineering & Science.

Defeat or not, Overbrook got some senior leadership from Omar Warring and Jineer Fogan. Warring dropped a double-double on ten points and ten rebounds, while Fogan posted 12 points and eight rebounds. The dominant performance also gave Warring a new career-high in blocks (eight). Jalen Holmes was another key player, putting up eight points and ten rebounds.

Even though they lost, Overbrook smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 22 offensive rebounds. That's the most offensive boards they've managed all season.

Meanwhile, West Philadelphia entered their tilt with Science Leadership Academy at Beeber on Monday with two consecutive wins but they'll enter their next game with three. They were the clear victor by a 78-53 margin over the Rockets. The Speedboys have made a habit of sweeping their opponents off the court, having now won three contests by 25 points or more this season.

Overbrook better focus on containing Jayden Mckie and Makel Butts as the pair were huge in West Philadelphia's win. Mckie had 17 points, while Butts posted 15 points. The matchup was Butts' third in a row with at least ten points. Another player making a difference was Yahseem Wheelings, who put up eight points.

West Philadelphia pushed their record up to 5-1 with the win, which was their eighth straight at home dating back to last season. The wins came thanks to their offensive performance across that stretch, as they averaged 71.9 points per game. As for Overbrook, their loss dropped their record down to 4-4.

Things could have been worse for Overbrook, but things could have been a whole lot better as they took a 74-58 loss to West Philadelphia in their previous matchup back in February. Can Overbrook avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.