Basketball Game Preview: Rhode Island School for the Deaf vs. American School for the Deaf Tigers

Rhode Island School for the Deaf will head out on the road to face off against the American School for the Deaf Tigers at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday. The squads are rolling into the game with opposing streaks: Rhode Island School for the Deaf has struggled recently with nine defeats in a row, while American School for the Deaf will arrive with six straight wins.

Rhode Island School for the Deaf is headed into the match out to prove that what happened against Fishers Island back in December of 2024 (when they were outscored in every quarter) was just a minor bump in the road. Rhode Island School for the Deaf might have been a little too into the holiday spirit, gifting Fishers Island an easy 44-19 victory. Rhode Island School for the Deaf was in a tough position after the first half, with the score already sitting at 30-5.

Rhode Island School for the Deaf's loss came about despite a quality game from Jaiden Francis, who almost dropped a double-double on 17 points and nine rebounds. That was a full 89.5% of Rhode Island School for the Deaf's points, marking the fourth time in a row she's posted more than a third of the team's points.

Meanwhile, American School for the Deaf was able to grind out a solid win over Cornerstone Christian on Wednesday, taking the game 34-21.

Rhode Island School for the Deaf better focus on containing K'Marie Owens and Suli DesJesus as the pair were huge in American School for the Deaf's win. Owens put up 12 points and three steals, while DesJesus had 12 points and five steals. Another player making a difference was Jenny Haring, who posted four points.

American School for the Deaf pushed their record up to 9-1 with the victory, which was their fifth straight at home. Those victories came thanks to their defensive effort, having only surrendered 23.4 points per game. As for Rhode Island School for the Deaf, their defeat dropped their record down to 0-4.

Rhode Island School for the Deaf suffered a grim 49-25 defeat to American School for the Deaf in their previous meeting back in February of 2024. Can Rhode Island School for the Deaf avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.