Basketball Game Preview: Newberry Indians vs. Pickford Panthers

The Newberry Indians will face off against the Pickford Panthers at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Keep an eye on the score for this one: both posted some lofty point totals in their previous games.

Newberry is probably headed into the match with a chip on their shoulder considering Munising just ended the team's four-game winning streak on Wednesday. They took a 68-57 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Mustangs. While losing is never fun, the Indians can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Michigan basketball rankings (they are ranked 421st, while the Mustangs are ranked 90th).

Meanwhile, Pickford entered their tilt with Engadine on Friday with six consecutive wins but they'll enter their next game with seven. They took their game with ease, bagging a 65-14 victory over the Eagles. The Panthers have made a habit of sweeping their opponents off the court, having now won nine contests by 22 points or more this season.

Pickford's win was their sixth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 10-1. The wins came thanks to their offensive performance across that stretch, as they averaged 67.5 points per game. As for Newberry, their loss ended a three-game streak of away wins and brought them to 7-5.

Newberry was dealt a bruising 66-27 defeat at the hands of Pickford in their previous matchup back in January of 2024. Can Newberry avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.