Central Valley Academy has enjoyed the comforts of home their last five games, but now they'll head out on the road. They will face off against the Rome Free Academy Black Knights at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Central Valley Academy knows how to get points on the board -- the team has finished with flashy point totals in its past 16 matches -- so hopefully the Black Knights like a good challenge.
While Central Valley Academy's victory against the Express wasn't quite the blowout they won the last time the pair played, they still came away the winners. Central Valley Academy had just enough and edged the Express out 60-57. Given Central Valley Academy's advantage in MaxPreps' New York basketball rankings (they are ranked 35th, while the Express are ranked 450th), the result on Friday wasn't entirely unexpected.
It was another big night for Deacon Judd, who dropped a double-double on 25 points and ten rebounds. Judd is crushing the point category: he's posted at least 20 every time he's taken the court this season. Another player making a difference was Tom Jacquays, who scored nine points along with five assists and five rebounds.
Rome Free Academy has been a dominant force so far, but they're in the middle of a mini-slump at the moment. They fell to Syracuse Academy of Science 100-95. Despite running the score up even higher than they did in their prior game on Friday (82), Rome Free Academy still had to take the loss.
Central Valley Academy pushed their record up to 15-1 with that victory, which was their 17th straight at home dating back to last season. Those victories were due in large part to their offensive dominance across that stretch, as they averaged 71.6 points per game. As for Rome Free Academy, their loss dropped their record down to 13-4.
Central Valley Academy beat the Black Knights 76-64 in their previous meeting back in January of 2023. One of the biggest obstacles trying to stand in the way of that victory was Rome Free Academy's Jack Lawless, who dropped a double-double on ten points and 14 rebounds. Now that he won't be playing on Tuesday, will it be that much easier for Central Valley Academy to walk away with another win? Check MaxPreps.com after the match to find out.
