Concord and Reading are an even 5-5 against one another since February of 2020, but not for long. The Concord Yellowjackets will welcome the Reading Rangers at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Both come into the match bolstered by wins in their previous matches.
Last Thursday, Concord didn't have too much breathing room in their game against Stockbridge, but they still walked away with a 32-27 win. Given the Yellowjackets' advantage in MaxPreps' Michigan basketball rankings (they are ranked 119th, while the Panthers are ranked 350th), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.
Grace Thorrez
| 02/06/25 @ Stockbridge | 5 |
| 02/01/25 vs Union City | 4 |
| 01/30/25 vs Quincy | 2 |
| 01/27/25 @ Michigan Center | 3 |
| 01/25/25 @ Lenawee Christian | 4 |
| + 4 more games |
Concord's success was spearheaded by the efforts of Cieara Barrett, who posted 12 points along with eight rebounds and four steals, and Grace Thorrez, who went 6 for 11 on her way to 12 points in addition to eight boards and five blocks. Thorrez is on a roll when it comes to blocks, as she's now posted two or more in the last nine games she's played.
Meanwhile, Reading was able to grind out a solid victory over Union City on Thursday, taking the game 47-40.
Concord better keep an eye on Aubree Ervans. She was instrumental in Reading's win, dropping a double-double on 31 points and 11 boards. Ervans is becoming a predictor of Reading's success: when she posts at least 15 points the team is 7-3 (and 2-4 when she doesn't). The team also got some help courtesy of Abby Affholter, who had six points in addition to eight rebounds and four blocks.
Concord is on a roll lately: they've won nine of their last 11 contests, which provided a nice bump to their 14-4 record this season. As for Reading, their win bumped their record up to 9-7.
Rebounding is likely to be a big factor in this contest: Concord has been smashing the glass this season, having averaged 30.9 boards per game. However, it's not like Reading struggles in that department as they've been averaging 27.2 rebounds. With both teams battling to corral missed shots, we'll see if one team can grab an edge.
Concord beat Reading 47-39 when the teams last played back in January. Will Concord repeat their success, or does Reading have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
