Basketball Game Preview: Stuart Broncos vs. Boyd County Spartans

The Stuart Broncos will take on the Boyd County Spartans on Thursday. Given that the two teams suffered a loss in their last games, they both have a little extra motivation heading into this contest.

Boyd County is facing Stuart at the wrong time: Stuart suffered their first home loss of the season on Tuesday and they're likely out for redemption. They took a 51-41 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Coyotes.

Meanwhile, Boyd County was not able to break out of their rough patch on Tuesday as the team picked up their 11th straight defeat dating back to last season. 2025 welcomed they with a 52-29 loss courtesy of Santee.

Stuart will have to keep a close watch on Addison Birmeier and Elly Zeisler, a pair of players who had a big impact on Boyd County's prior game. Birmeier went 6 of 9 on her way to 12 points and six rebounds, while Zeisler posted seven points and ten rebounds. Those 12 points gave Birmeier a new career-high.

Even though they lost, Boyd County smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 14 offensive boards. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved their offensive rebound total in three consecutive matchups.

Boyd County's loss dropped their record down to 0-10. As for Stuart, their defeat ended a four-game streak of wins at home and dropped them to 7-3.

Stuart didn't have too much breathing room in their game against Boyd County in their previous matchup back in January of 2024, but they still walked away with a 52-46 victory. One of the biggest obstacles trying to stand in the way of that victory was Boyd County's Paige Drueke, who went 9 of 14 on her way to 22 points along with six rebounds and three steals. Now that she won't be playing on Thursday, will it be easier for Stuart to walk away with another win? There's only one way to find out.