Basketball Game Preview: Ashley Screaming Eagle vs. White Oak Vikings

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Previous 4 Games

11/19/24 - Away	50-25 W
11/17/23 - Home	39-19 W
11/18/22 - Away	45-36 W
11/27/18 - Home	40-22 W

Ashley is a perfect 4-0 against White Oak since November of 2018 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Tuesday. The Screaming Eagle will be home for the holidays to greet the Vikings at 6:30 p.m. Given that the two teams suffered a loss in their last games, they both have a little extra motivation heading into this contest.

Ashley is probably headed into the game with a chip on their shoulder considering Topsail just ended the team's five-game winning streak on Friday. They fell 58-46 to the Pirates.

Despite the defeat, Ashley saw an underclassman step up: freshman Elin Bentley posted 11 points and seven rebounds. JaKicey Gardner was another key player, putting up 20 points and eight boards.

The home team had won the previous four meetings between White Oak and Northside - Jacksonville, and Northside - Jacksonville kept the tradition alive. The Vikings fell just short of the Monarchs by a score of 48-46 on Monday. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest loss the Vikings have suffered since November 26, 2024.

Despite the defeat, White Oak saw an underclassman step up: sophomore Sidney Ferguson put up 29 points. That was a full 63% of the Vikings' points, marking the third time in a row Ferguson has scored more than a third of the team's points. Another player making a difference was Aariel Jemison, who almost dropped a double-double with nine points and 12 rebounds.

White Oak's loss dropped their record down to 3-5. As for Ashley, their defeat dropped their record down to 6-2.

Rebounding is likely to be a big factor in this contest: Ashley has been smashing the glass this season, having averaged 30.9 boards per game. However, it's not like White Oak struggles in that department as they've been averaging 22.9 rebounds. With both teams battling to corral missed shots, we'll see if one team can grab an edge.

Ashley took their win against White Oak when the teams last played back in November of 2024 by a conclusive 50-25 score. Do the Screaming Eagle have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Vikings turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.