Basketball Game Preview: Bertrand Vikings vs. Paxton Tigers

The Bertrand Vikings will challenge the Paxton Tigers at 3:45 p.m. on Saturday. Bertrand is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 56.8 points per game this season.

Bertrand is probably headed into the game with a chip on their shoulder considering Alma just ended the team's nine-game winning streak on Friday. They took a hard 54-38 fall against the Cardinals.

The losing side was boosted by Marcus Hernandez, who went 7 for 12 on his way to 16 points and six boards. His evening made it five games in a row in which he has scored at least ten points.

Meanwhile, Paxton unfortunately witnessed the end of their three-game winning streak on Friday. They fell 48-37 to Dundy County-Stratton. The contest marked Paxton's lowest-scoring match so far this season.

Bertrand will need focus on slowing down Noah Coppersmith, one of several Paxton players who made an impact when they last played. He posted eight points and four steals. Those four steals gave Coppersmith a new career-high. Jasper Brewster was another key player, putting up seven points.

Paxton's defeat dropped their record down to 11-5. As for Bertrand, their loss dropped their record down to 14-5.

Rebounding is likely to be a big factor in this contest: Bertrand has been smashing the glass this season, having averaged 30.4 rebounds per game. However, it's not like Paxton struggles in that department as they've been averaging 27.8 boards. With both teams battling to corral missed shots, we'll see if one team can grab an edge.

Bertrand didn't have too much breathing room in their game against Paxton when the teams last played back in January of 2017, but they still walked away with a 62-57 win. Does Bertrand have another victory up their sleeve, or will Paxton turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.