Basketball Game Preview: Benton Panthers vs. Lake Hamilton Wolves

Benton and Lake Hamilton are an even 5-5 against one another since February of 2016, but not for long. The Benton Panthers will host the Lake Hamilton Wolves at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. Benton will be looking to extend their current four-game winning streak.

Benton is headed in fresh off scoring the most points they have all season. They breezed by Pine Bluff to the tune of 67-18 on Tuesday. Given the Panthers' advantage in MaxPreps' Arkansas basketball rankings (they are ranked 70th, while the Zebras are ranked 240th), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.

Meanwhile, Lake Hamilton came up short against Forrest City on Tuesday and fell 48-37.

Benton's win bumped their record up to 9-5. As for Lake Hamilton, their loss ended a three-game streak of away wins and brought them to 11-6.

Benton came up short against Lake Hamilton in their previous matchup back in February of 2024, falling 45-40. Can Benton avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.