Basketball Game Preview: Bessemer City Yellow Jackets vs. Cherryville Ironmen

Bessemer City is on a three-game streak of home losses, Cherryville a 13-game streak of away losses dating back to last season, but someone's luck will change on Friday. The Bessemer City Yellow Jackets will welcome the Cherryville Ironmen at 7:30 p.m. One thing working in Bessemer City's favor is that they have posted at least 55 points in their last five contests.

Last Tuesday, Bessemer City lost to Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy on the road by a 93-76 margin. Despite running the score up even higher than they did in their prior game two weeks ago (58), the Yellow Jackets still had to take the loss.

Bessemer City's loss shouldn't obscure the performances of Tristen Gordon, who dropped a double-double on 23 points and ten assists, and Josiah Guyton, who went 9 of 18 en route to 24 points in addition to six rebounds and five assists. Gordon has been hot recently, having posted eight or more assists the last three times he's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Jonathan Black, who posted 13 points along with seven boards and five assists.

Even though they lost, Bessemer City 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 rebounds in ten consecutive matchups.

Meanwhile, Cherryville scored the most points they've had this season on Wednesday, but it wasn't enough. They fell just short of East Gaston by a score of 65-63.

Cherryville's defeat dropped their record down to 1-18. As for Bessemer City, their loss dropped their record down to 10-8.

Bessemer City couldn't quite finish off Cherryville when the teams last played back in February of 2024 and fell 66-63. Will Bessemer City have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check MaxPreps after the match for a full breakdown of the game, commentary, and other basketball content.