Basketball Game Preview: Valiant Cross Academy Warriors vs. Hooper Academy Colts

The Valiant Cross Academy Warriors and the Hooper Academy Colts will face off at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday without much rest, having both just played. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.

Valiant Cross Academy is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Wednesday. They simply couldn't be stopped as they easily beat Bessemer Academy 67-40. The win was familiar territory for the Warriors, who have now won three matchups in a row.

Valiant Cross Academy's victory was a true team effort, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Deshawn Hall, who dropped a double-double with 15 points and 12 boards. Hall is on a roll when it comes to rebounds, as he's now pulled down eight or more in the last 53 games he's played dating back to last season. Another player making a difference was Jordan Archie, who went 9-for-12 to rack up 18 points and five boards.

Valiant Cross Academy smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 22 offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least 21 offensive rebounds in four consecutive contests.

Meanwhile, Hooper Academy came tearing into Wednesday's game with five straight wins (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 10.6 points) and they left with even more momentum. Everything went their way against the Jets as they made off with a 62-41 win.

Hooper Academy's victory bumped their record up to 25-1. As for Valiant Cross Academy, their win bumped their record up to 24-5.

Valiant Cross Academy and Hooper Academy were neck-and-neck in their previous matchup two weeks ago, but Valiant Cross Academy came up empty-handed after a 53-52 defeat. Can Valiant Cross Academy avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.