Basketball Game Preview: Whites Creek Cobras vs. Stratford Spartans

Whites Creek is 8-2 against Stratford since January of 2018 and they'll have a chance to extend that success on Friday. The Whites Creek Cobras will welcome the Stratford Spartans at 7:30 p.m. Stratford took a loss in their last game and will be looking to turn the tables on Whites Creek, who comes in off a win.

Whites Creek is headed in fresh off scoring the most points they have all season. They simply couldn't be stopped on Wednesday as they easily beat Maplewood 78-46. The victory made it back-to-back wins for the Cobras.

Whites Creek's success was spearheaded by the efforts of Eric Bryson, who went 9 of 13 on his way to 24 points, and Noah Hughes, who went 5 for 9 on his way to 12 points in addition to seven assists and four steals. That's the most assists Hughes has posted since back in March of 2024. The team also got some help courtesy of Michael Palmer, who went 5 for 6 on his way to 10 points and three blocks.

They weren't the only one working in the assists department: Whites Creek was working as a unit and finished the game with 20 assists. That's the most assists they've managed all season.

Meanwhile, Stratford was within striking distance but couldn't close the gap on Wednesday as they fell 44-39 to Antioch. While losing is never fun, the Spartans can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Tennessee basketball rankings (they are ranked 331st, while the Bears are ranked 91st).

Whites Creek will have to contain Darrin Bailey as he made an impact in Stratford's last game. He went 7 of 17 on his way to 14 points and seven boards. The team also got some help courtesy of David Barr, who posted four points.

Whites Creek pushed their record up to 5-9 with the victory, which was their third straight at home. The wins came thanks to their offensive performance across that stretch, as they averaged 65.0 points per game. As for Stratford, their defeat dropped their record down to 3-11.

Everything came up roses for Whites Creek against Stratford in their previous matchup back in February of 2024, as the squad secured a 69-23 win. Will Whites Creek repeat their success, or does Stratford have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.