Basketball Game Preview: Roxbury Prep Charter Wolves vs. Innovation Academy The Red Tailed Hawk

After both having extra time off, the Roxbury Prep Charter Wolves and the Innovation Academy The Red Tailed Hawk will dust off their jerseys to challenge one another at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. Given that the two teams suffered a loss in their last games, they both have a little extra motivation heading into this match.

Last Thursday, Roxbury Prep Charter might have been a little too into the holiday spirit, gifting Boston Latin Academy an easy 64-42 win. The Wolves have struggled against the Dragons recently, as the game was their third consecutive lost matchup.

Meanwhile, Innovation Academy was not able to break out of their rough patch last Friday as the team picked up their fourth straight defeat dating back to last season. They were five points away from ending the streak, but they lost a 62-57 heartbreaker at the hands of Nashoba Valley Tech.

Roxbury Prep Charter will have to keep a close watch on Elijah Vega and Bryce Kankam, a pair of players who had a big impact on Innovation Academy's prior game. Vega went 10 for 22 on his way to 27 points and four steals, while Kankam almost dropped a double-double on 21 points and nine boards. The game was Kankam's third in a row with at least ten points. Jordy Pe?a-Lugo was another key player, putting up two points along with six assists and three steals.

Innovation Academy's loss dropped their record down to 0-3. As for Roxbury Prep Charter, their defeat dropped their record down to 0-2.

Everything came up roses for Roxbury Prep Charter against Innovation Academy in their previous matchup back in December of 2023, as the squad secured an 85-53 victory. One of the biggest obstacles trying to stand in the way of that victory was Innovation Academy's Derrick Twum, who went 7 of 11 on his way to 26 points and six boards. Now that he won't be playing on Thursday, will it be easier for Roxbury Prep Charter to walk away with another win? There's only one way to find out.