Basketball Game Preview: Wheatland-Grinnell Thunderhawks vs. Logan/Palco

Wheatland-Grinnell is 7-1 against Logan/Palco since December of 2020 and they'll have a chance to extend that success on Tuesday. The Wheatland-Grinnell Thunderhawks will take on Logan/Palco at 7:30 p.m. Wheatland-Grinnell is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 50.4 points per game this season.

Last Friday, Wheatland-Grinnell humbled Ness City with a 67-34 victory. Given the Thunderhawks' advantage in MaxPreps' Kansas basketball rankings (they are ranked 109th, while the Eagles are ranked 251st), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.

Wheatland-Grinnell got their win on the backs of several key players, but it was Natalie Bixenman out in front who went 11 for 15 on her way to 26 points in addition to eight assists and five boards. Bixenman is also on a roll when it comes to steals, as she's now grabbed three or more in the last four games she's played. Another player making a difference was Aliviah Ball, who almost dropped a double-double on 12 points and nine rebounds.

Wheatland-Grinnell smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 14 offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least eight offensive rebounds in 17 consecutive contests dating back to last season.

Meanwhile, Logan/Palco was within striking distance but couldn't close the gap on Friday as they fell 33-27 to Golden Plains. Logan/Palco hasn't had much luck with Golden Plains recently, as the team's come up short the last five times they've met.

Wheatland-Grinnell has been performing well recently as they've won five of their last six matchups, which provided a nice bump to their 9-4 record this season. Those victories came thanks to their offensive performance across that stretch, as they averaged 53.0 points per game. As for Logan/Palco, their loss dropped their record down to 3-10.

Everything came up roses for Wheatland-Grinnell against Logan/Palco in their previous matchup back in January, as the squad secured a 57-22 victory. Will Wheatland-Grinnell repeat their success, or does Logan/Palco have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.