The Wooddale Cardinals will hit the road for the first time this season to face off against the Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering Phoenix at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday. Wooddale's defense has only allowed 27.6 points per game this season, so Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering's offense will have their work cut out for them.
Wooddale will bounce into Thursday's matchup after beating Melrose, who they had gone 0-8 against in their eight prior meetings. The Cardinals managed a 37-31 win over the Golden Wildcats on Tuesday. The victory made it back-to-back wins for the Cardinals.
Wooddale found their leader in sophomore Alexia Smith, who went 6-for-9 to rack up 14 points and six rebounds. Another player making a difference was London Carson, who posted three points along with 15 boards and four blocks.
Wooddale was working as a unit and finished the game with 11 assists. That's the most assists they've posted since the start of last season.
Meanwhile, everything came up roses for Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering against Douglass on Tuesday as the team secured a 44-13 victory. The Phoenix have made a habit of sweeping their opponents off the court, having now won four contests by 21 points or more this season.
Wooddale better focus on containing Deaundrea Visor and Akiyra Mattison as the pair were huge in Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering's win. Visor shot 43% from the field on her way to 14 points and seven steals, while Mattison dropped a double-double with 14 points and ten rebounds. Mattison is also crushing it when it comes to steals: she's grabbed at least two every time she's taken the court this season. Adrianna Toy was another key player, putting up six points and nine steals.
Wooddale now has a winning record of 3-2. As for Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering, their record is now 5-2.
Keep an eye on the arc in Thursday's game: Wooddale has been dynamite from deep this season, having made 70% of their three-pointers per game. It's a different story for Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering, though, as they've only made 15.6% of their threes this season. Given Wooddale's sizable advantage in that area, the Phoenix will need to find a way to close that gap.
Wooddale might still be hurting after the 54-33 loss they got from Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering in their previous meeting last Tuesday. Can the Cardinals avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
