Basketball Game Preview: East Tech Scarabs vs. Maple Heights Mustangs

The East Tech Scarabs are taking a road trip to challenge the Maple Heights Mustangs at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Given that the two teams suffered a loss in their last games, they both have a little extra motivation heading into this contest.

East Tech is headed into the matchup having just suffered their biggest loss since December 20, 2024 on Saturday. They took a blow against Cleveland Central Catholic, falling 80-40. While losing is never fun, the Scarabs can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Ohio basketball rankings (they are ranked 618th, while the Ironmen are ranked 123rd).

Meanwhile, Maple Heights was not able to break out of their rough patch on Friday as the team picked up their third straight defeat. They took a 60-53 hit to the loss column at the hands of Bedford.

East Tech will need to focus on slowing down Anthony Whitt, one of several Maple Heights players who made an impact when they last played. He went 6 of 14 on his way to 15 points. Those 15 points gave Whitt a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Kaelon Hurt, who posted 15 points.

East Tech has traveled a rocky road recently having lost three of their last four games, which put a noticeable dent in their 7-10 record this season. As for Maple Heights, their loss dropped their record down to 9-9.

East Tech couldn't quite finish off Maple Heights in their previous meeting back in January of 2019 and fell 61-58. Can East Tech avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.