Basketball Game Preview: Reagan Raiders vs. Parkland Mustangs

Reagan and Parkland are an even 5-5 against one another since January of 2017, but not for long. The Reagan Raiders will welcome the Parkland Mustangs at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Keep an eye on the score for this one: both posted some lofty point totals in their previous games.

Reagan is probably headed into the game with a chip on their shoulder considering West Forsyth just ended the team's three-game winning streak on Friday. They fell just short of the Titans by a score of 58-56. While losing is never fun, the Raiders can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' North Carolina basketball rankings (they are ranked 127th, while the Titans are ranked 34th).

Despite their defeat, Reagan saw several players rise to the challenge and make noteworthy plays. Jayden McCrae, who went 7 of 13 on his way to 15 points in addition to seven boards and three steals, was perhaps the best of all. The match was McCrae's fifth in a row with at least ten points. The team also got some help courtesy of Lincoln Jackson, who posted 12 points and eight rebounds.

Meanwhile, Parkland opened the new year with a less-than-successful 70-58 loss to East Forsyth. The Mustangs haven't had much luck with the Eagles recently, as the team's come up short the last eight times they've met.

Reagan will have to contain Brock Jackson as he made an impact in Parkland's last game. He went 9 of 15 on his way to 23 points and six rebounds. Jackson is on a roll when it comes to points, as he's now scored 15 or more in the last four games he's played. The team also got some help courtesy of JoShaun Williamson, who put up ten points.

Reagan's defeat dropped their record down to 7-5. As for Parkland, their loss dropped their record down to 3-7.

Reagan skirted past Parkland 53-51 in their previous meeting back in February of 2024. Will Reagan repeat their success, or does Parkland have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.