Basketball Game Preview: Grafton Bearcats vs. Southern Rams

Grafton is on a nine-game streak of home wins (dating back to last season), while Southern is on a ten-game streak of away wins: one of those streaks is about to end. The Grafton Bearcats will host the Southern Rams at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. Grafton is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 55.5 points per game this season.

Grafton will bounce into Thursday's contest after beating Philip Barbour, who they had gone 1-8 against in their nine prior meetings. Grafton took down Philip Barbour 39-25 on Monday.

Kenna Keener

Rebounds

02/17/25 vs Philip Barbour	11
02/15/25 @ Hurricane	9
02/12/25 vs Lincoln	11
02/07/25 vs Buckhannon-Upshur	12
02/05/25 @ Bridgeport	9
+ 9 more games

Grafton's success was spearheaded by the efforts of Kenna Keener, who dropped a double-double with 13 points and 11 boards, and Hadley Horne, who dropped a double-double with 19 points and ten rebounds. Keener is on a roll when it comes to rebounds, as she's now pulled down eight or more in each of the last 14 games she's played. Natalie Beltner was another key player, putting up two points and five boards.

Grafton smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 19 offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least eight offensive rebounds in eight consecutive matchups.

Meanwhile, Southern didn't have too much trouble with Keyser on Tuesday as they won 59-44. The Rams haven't had any issues with the Golden Tornado recently, as the game was their fourth consecutive victory against them.

Southern's win bumped their record up to 19-2. As for Grafton, their victory bumped their record up to 19-0.