Basketball Game Preview: Pamlico Christian Academy Mariners vs. Bethel Assembly Christian Academy Eagles

Two dominant guards in Lily Mathews and Lauren Taylor are getting ready to go toe-to-toe. The Pamlico Christian Academy Mariners will be home for the holidays to greet the Bethel Assembly Christian Academy Eagles at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday. The teams are on pretty different trajectories at the moment (Pamlico Christian Academy has three straight wins, Bethel Assembly Christian Academy has six straight defeats), but none of that matters once you're on the court.

Last Monday, Pamlico Christian Academy strolled past Bethel Christian Academy with points to spare, taking the game 39-20. The team accrued 28 points in the first half and coasted on those for the victory.

Dannielle Palagyi went supernova for Pamlico Christian Academy, almost dropping a double-double on 18 points and nine boards. Those 18 points gave Palagyi a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Mathews, who posted four points in addition to seven assists and seven steals.

Pamlico Christian Academy smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 18 offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least eight offensive boards in 16 consecutive matchups.

Meanwhile, Bethel Assembly Christian Academy managed to keep up with Jacksonville Christian Academy until halftime on Tuesday, but things quickly went downhill from there. Bethel Assembly Christian Academy might have been a little too into the holiday spirit, gifting Jacksonville Christian Academy an easy 59-36 win. While losing is never fun, the Eagles can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' North Carolina basketball rankings (they are ranked 369th, while the Conquerors are ranked 90th).

Bethel Assembly Christian Academy's loss dropped their record down to 1-7. As for Pamlico Christian Academy, their victory was their fourth straight on the road, which pushed their record up to 10-6.

Pamlico Christian Academy couldn't quite finish off Bethel Assembly Christian Academy when the teams last played back in February and fell 40-38. Thankfully for Pamlico Christian Academy, Coleen Askew (who had 16 points along with six boards and three blocks) won't be suiting up this time. Will that be enough to change the final result? Check MaxPreps.com after the match to find out.