Basketball Game Preview: Midland Trail Patriots vs. Summers County Bobcats

The Midland Trail Patriots will take on the Summers County Bobcats at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Midland Trail will be strutting in after a victory while Summers County will be coming in after a defeat.

Midland Trail is headed in fresh off scoring the most points they have all season. They breezed by Greenbrier West to the tune of 84-39 on Wednesday. With the Patriots ahead 40-15 at the half, the match was all but over already.

Midland Trail can attribute much of their success to Payton Bailes, who went 8 for 12 on his way to 21 points, and Thad Brown, who went 6 of 12 en route to 16 points along with seven assists and six rebounds. What's more, Brown also racked up two blocks, the most he's had since back in January of 2024. Another player making a difference was Ben Harrison, who posted seven points in addition to eight boards and three steals.

Meanwhile, Summers County took a blow against James Monroe on Tuesday, falling 66-31. The game marked the Bobcats' lowest-scoring contest so far this season.

Midland Trail's win ended a four-game drought on the road and puts them at 7-5. As for Summers County, their loss was their fourth straight at home, which dropped their record down to 1-9.

Midland Trail beat Summers County 63-50 in their previous matchup back in December of 2024. Does Midland Trail have another victory up their sleeve, or will Summers County turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.