Basketball Game Preview: Bertrand Vikings vs. Elm Creek Buffaloes

Bertrand hasn't had much luck against Elm Creek recently, but that could start to change on Friday. The Bertrand Vikings are taking a road trip to challenge the Elm Creek Buffaloes at 6:00 p.m. Elm Creek took a loss in their last matchup and will be looking to turn the tables on Bertrand, who comes in off a win.

Bertrand is headed into the game having just posted their biggest win since December 12, 2023 on Tuesday. They claimed a resounding 53-26 victory over Hi-Line [Eustis-Farnam/Elwood]. The Vikings pushed the score to 45-14 by the end of the third, a deficit Hi-Line [Eustis-Farnam/Elwood] cut but never quite recovered from.

Bertrand can attribute much of their success to Brooklyn Evans, who posted 12 points and seven steals. Evans is crushing it when it comes to steals: she's grabbed at least two every time she's taken the court this season. The team also got some help courtesy of Addison Andersen, who had eight points in addition to seven boards and five steals.

Bertrand was working as a unit and finished the game with ten assists. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved their assist total in three consecutive contests.

Meanwhile, Elm Creek faced Minden in a battle between two of the state's top teams on Thursday. Elm Creek might have been a little too into the holiday spirit, gifting Minden an easy 71-50 win. For those keeping track at home, that's the biggest defeat the Buffaloes have suffered since December 16, 2023.

Elm Creek moved to 5-1 with that loss, which also ended their five-game winning streak. As for Bertrand, they now have a winning record of 3-2.

Bertrand lost to Elm Creek on the road by a decisive 50-34 margin in their previous meeting back in December of 2023. Can Bertrand avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.