Basketball Game Preview: Mabel-Canton Cougars vs. Schaeffer Academy Lions

The Mabel-Canton Cougars will face off against the Schaeffer Academy Lions at 7:15 p.m. on Friday.

After dropping their season opener at home, Schaeffer Academy is headed out to face a Cougars team ready to give their home crowd a win. Mabel-Canton took a blow against Southland on Tuesday, falling 86-46. The Cougars have struggled against the Rebels recently, as the game was their third consecutive lost matchup.

Despite their defeat, Mabel-Canton saw several players rise to the challenge and make noteworthy plays. Kale Eiken, who shot 56% from the field on his way to 13 points, was perhaps the best of all. Eiken is also on a roll when it comes to steals, as he's now grabbed two or more in each of the last three games he's played dating back to last season. Isaac Underbakke was another key player, going 5-for-9 en route to 10 points and three steals.

Meanwhile, Schaeffer Academy had to kick off their season on the road on Tuesday, but they showed no ill effects. They put the hurt on Houston with a sharp 67-43 victory. The Lions not only won on Tuesday, but they posted their biggest win since January 27th (when they won 72-47).

Mabel-Canton didn't have too much breathing room in their contest against Schaeffer Academy when the teams last played back in January, but they still walked away with a 67-62 win. Do the Cougars have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Lions turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.