After three games on the road, Southport is heading back home. They will take on the Columbus North Bull Dogs at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Hopefully Southport focused on turnovers this week since the team gave up 12 on Saturday.
Last Saturday, Southport came up short against Terre Haute North Vigo and fell 59-46. While losing is never fun, Southport can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Indiana basketball rankings (they are ranked 136th, while Terre Haute North Vigo is ranked 36th).
Despite their loss, Southport saw several players rise to the challenge and make noteworthy plays. Michael Johnson, who scored ten points along with three steals and two blocks, was perhaps the best of all. The team also got some help courtesy of Donovan Brewer, who scored 11 points along with five rebounds.
Southport struggled to get the ball back on offense and finished the game with only four offensive rebounds. That's the fewest offensive rebounds they've managed all season.
Meanwhile, Columbus North beat Perry Meridian 54-46 on Saturday. The victory was just what Columbus North needed coming off of a 78-58 defeat in their prior contest.
Southport has traveled a rocky road recently, as they've lost five of their last six matchups, which put a noticeable dent in their 4-9 record this season. As for Columbus North, their win ended a six-game drought at home and bumped them up to 5-8.
Southport was able to grind out a solid victory over Columbus North when the teams last played back in January of 2023, winning 51-44. One of the biggest obstacles trying to stand in the way of that victory was Columbus North's Cooper Horn, who scored 28 points along with six rebounds. Now that he won't be playing on Friday, will it be that much easier for Southport to walk away with another win? There's only one way to find out.
