Basketball Game Preview: Alexander Central Cougars vs. Freedom Patriots

The Alexander Central Cougars will challenge the Freedom Patriots at 6:30 p.m. on Friday. Keep an eye on the score for this one: the two teams posted some lofty point totals in their previous games.

Alexander Central is headed into Friday's matchup looking for a big change in momentum after dropping their third straight game on Tuesday. They were six points away from ending the streak, but they lost a 63-57 heartbreaker at the hands of Hibriten.

Even though the team lost, they still had their share of impressive performances. One of the best came from Malayah Adams, who posted 18 points in addition to six assists and six boards. That's the most points she has posted since back in November of 2024. The team also got some help courtesy of Meredith Wike, who dropped a double-double on 16 points and ten rebounds.

Meanwhile, Freedom unfortunately witnessed the end of their three-game winning streak on Wednesday. They came up short against Watauga, falling 83-63. While losing is never fun, the Patriots can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' North Carolina basketball rankings (they are ranked 109th, while the Pioneers are ranked 20th).

Alexander Central's loss dropped their record down to 10-7. As for Freedom, their defeat was their first in the conference, dropping their conference record down to 3-1 and their overall record down to 10-7.

Alexander Central was able to grind out a solid victory over Freedom in their previous meeting back in February of 2024, winning 53-46. One of the biggest obstacles the team faced in that game was Freedom's Peyton Caldwell, who went 9 for 18 en route to 25 points and five boards. Now that she's got a second chance to win this matchup, will Alexander Central still be able to contain Caldwell? There's only one way to find out.