Basketball Game Preview: Oconto Falls Panthers vs. Oconto Blue Devils

Oconto Falls is 1-9 against Oconto since December of 2016 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Saturday. The Oconto Falls Panthers will head out on the road to take on the Oconto Blue Devils at 2:00 p.m. Oconto Falls is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 53.9 points per game this season.

Last Friday, Oconto Falls was within striking distance but couldn't close the gap as they fell 54-49 to Waupaca. The loss was a bit of a surprise, as the Panthers came into the contest with a sizable advantage in MaxPreps' Wisconsin basketball rankings (they are ranked 130th, while the Comets are ranked 264th).

Despite their defeat, Oconto Falls saw several players rise to the challenge and make noteworthy plays. Jameson Beaman, who almost dropped a double-double on ten points and nine boards, was perhaps the best of all. What's more, Beaman also racked up three steals, the most he's had since back in December of 2023. Another player making a difference was Jj Pytleski, who posted ten points and five rebounds.

Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Oconto). Couldn't have asked for a better way to wrap up 2024 than the 75-47 stomp they got against Crivitz. The team's explosion on offense also rewarded the Blue Devils with their most commanding win of the season.

Oconto now has a winning record of 4-3. As for Oconto Falls, this is the second loss in a row for them and also nudges their season record down to 4-3.

Oconto Falls and Oconto were neck-and-neck in their previous matchup back in December of 2023, but Oconto Falls came up empty-handed after a 75-74 loss. Can Oconto Falls avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.