Basketball Game Preview: Herscher Tigers vs. Manteno Panthers

A feisty cat fight is on tap when the Herscher Tigers challenge the Manteno Panthers at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday...

Herscher is headed into the matchup having just suffered their biggest defeat since November 18, 2024 on Monday. They were beaten by Coal City 53-26. The Tigers have struggled against the Coalers recently, as the game was their fifth consecutive lost matchup.

Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Manteno). They claimed a resounding 68-32 win over Streator. The Panthers have made a habit of sweeping their opponents off the court, having now won 12 contests by 20 points or more this season.

The victory was the fifth in a row for Manteno, bringing their record for this year to 21-4. The wins came thanks to their offensive performance across that stretch, as they averaged 51.0 points per game. As for Herscher, their loss dropped their record down to 12-12.

Things could have been worse for Herscher, but things could have been a whole lot better as they took a 51-36 loss to Manteno in their previous matchup back in January. Will Herscher 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.