Basketball Game Preview: Independence Wildcats vs. North Panola Cougars + How To Watch

Independence is preparing for their first district matchup of the season on Tuesday. They will face off against the North Panola Cougars at 7:30 p.m. The teams are on pretty different trajectories at the moment (Independence has nine straight wins, North Panola has 13 straight defeats), but none of that matters once you're on the court.

It was a proper cat-fight when Independence duked it out with Morton on Tuesday. The Wildcats came out on top in a nail-biter against the Panthers, sneaking past 58-55. That's two games straight that the Wildcats have won by exactly three points.

Kylan Higgenbottom produced another solid performance shooting 46% from the field to rack up 26 points. He also posted a block, marking his first of the season. Kenyon Dowl was another key player, putting up 14 points in addition to six rebounds and three steals.

Independence smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 13 offensive rebounds. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least 12 offensive boards in three consecutive matchups.

Meanwhile, North Panola scored the most points they've had this season last Friday, but it wasn't enough. They fell just short of Palmer by a score of 62-59. The game was a 29-29 toss-up at halftime, but the Cougars couldn't quite close it out.

North Panola's loss dropped their record down to 0-5. As for Independence, their victory bumped their record up to 9-1.

Independence strolled past North Panola in their previous meeting back in February by a score of 66-51. Do the Wildcats have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Cougars turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.