Basketball Game Preview: Licking Valley Panthers vs. Mt. Vernon Yellowjackets

The Licking Valley Panthers will face off against the Mt. Vernon Yellowjackets at 7:15 p.m. on Friday. Licking Valley has been getting the ball to fall more lately as they've increased their point totals each of their last three games.

Licking Valley took a loss when they played away from home last Tuesday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Friday. They took down Watkins Memorial 74-55. Given the Panthers' advantage in MaxPreps' Ohio basketball rankings (they are ranked 212th, while the Warriors are ranked 531st), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.

Licking Valley can attribute much of their success to Brody Rodgers, who posted ten points along with eight rebounds and seven assists, and Kamden Walker, who put up 12 points and five boards. That's the most boards Walker has posted since back in February of 2024. Zane Hancock was another key player, putting up 11 points and six rebounds.

Licking Valley smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 11 offensive rebounds. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least 11 offensive boards in three consecutive games.

Meanwhile, Mt. Vernon had already won two in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 12.5 points) and they went ahead and made it three on Tuesday. They came out on top against the Bulldogs by a score of 47-40.

Mt. Vernon has also been performing well recently as they've won four of their last five contests, which provided a nice bump to their 9-5 record this season. As for Licking Valley, their win bumped their record up to 7-5.

Licking Valley skirted past Mt. Vernon 50-48 in their previous meeting back in December of 2024. Does Licking Valley have another victory up their sleeve, or will Mt. Vernon turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.