Basketball Game Preview: Paola Panthers vs. Ottawa Cyclones

The Paola Panthers will square off against the Ottawa Cyclones on Friday. Paola comes in still looking for their first win of the season.

It's never fun to lose, and it's even less fun to lose 47-17, which was the final score in Paola's tilt against Tonganoxie on Tuesday. While losing is never fun, the Panthers can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Kansas basketball rankings (they are ranked 266th, while the Chieftains are ranked 102nd).

Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Ottawa, who bounced back after a loss on the road on Friday. They came out on top against Baldwin by a score of 53-45 on Tuesday.

Paola's loss dropped their record down to 0-6. As for Ottawa, they pushed their record up to 5-1 with the win, which was their 14th straight at home dating back to last season.

Paola came up short against Ottawa when the teams last played back in December of 2024, falling 51-41. Will Paola have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.