Basketball Game Preview: Hillcrest Christian Cougars vs. Crystal Springs Tigers

The Hillcrest Christian Cougars will venture away from home to face off against the Crystal Springs Tigers at 2:30 p.m. on Monday. Crystal Springs took a loss in their last matchup and will be looking to turn the tables on Hillcrest Christian, who comes in off a win.

Hillcrest Christian will roll into the game after a wild two-game stretch: they only put up eight points on Thursday, then bounced right back against Clinton Christian Academy on Friday. The Cougars took their contest with ease, bagging a 71-43 victory over the Warriors. The win continues a trend for the Cougars in their matchups with the Warriors: they've now won four in a row.

DeAngelo Nicholson

Blocked Shots (Career)

11/21/25 vs Clinton Christian Academy	2
11/04/25 @ Clinton Christian Academy	1
02/24/25 vs Jackson Prep	1
01/16/25 vs Franklin Academy	1
12/03/24 @ Clinton Christian Academy	1

DeAngelo Nicholson had a dynamite game, shooting 67% from the field on his way to 20 points. The dominant performance also gave him a new career-high in blocks (two). Another player making a difference was AJ Thompson, who went 5-for-12 en route to 13 points and five boards.

Hillcrest Christian was working as a unit and finished the game with 25 assists. That's the most assists they've managed all season.

Meanwhile, Crystal Springs came up short against Pearl on Friday and fell 56-48.

Crystal Springs' loss dropped their record down to 3-2. As for Hillcrest Christian, their victory bumped their record up to 4-2.