Basketball Game Preview: Loveland Classical Lions vs. Estes Park Bobcats

A feisty cat fight will be fought when the Loveland Classical Lions challenge the Estes Park Bobcats at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday... Loveland Classical is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 56.6 points per game this season.

Loveland Classical is coming in fresh off a high-stakes matchup with another one of Colorado's top teams: Liberty Common, who was ranked seventh at the time (Loveland Classical was ranked 23rd). The match between Loveland Classical and Liberty Common didn't end well, with Loveland Classical falling 56-40. The contest marked the Lions' lowest-scoring game so far this season.

Loveland Classical's defeat came about despite a quality game from Hudson Ruppert, who went 6 of 9 en route to 16 points and seven rebounds. The dominant performance also gave Ruppert a new career-high in blocks (two). Another player making a difference was Trevan Coberly, who posted eight points in addition to five rebounds and three steals.

Meanwhile, a well-balanced attack led Estes Park over Union Colony Prep in every quarter on their way to victory on Tuesday. Estes Park enjoyed a cozy 73-59 victory over Union Colony Prep. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Bobcats.

Estes Park's win ended a five-game drought on the road dating back to last season and puts them at 3-3. As for Loveland Classical, their loss was their first of the season and makes their record 4-1.

Everything came up roses for Loveland Classical against Estes Park in their previous matchup back in December of 2023, as the squad secured a 74-36 victory. In that matchup, Loveland Classical amassed a halftime lead of 38-18, an impressive feat they'll look to repeat on Thursday.