The Center Grove Trojans will take on the Roncalli Royals at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Given that both suffered a loss in their last games, they both have a little extra motivation heading into this contest.
Center Grove is probably headed into the match with a chip on their shoulder considering Jeffersonville just ended the team's six-game winning streak on Friday. They were beaten by the Red Devils 75-45. While losing is never fun, the Trojans can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Indiana basketball rankings (they are ranked 85th, while the Red Devils are ranked 22nd).
Roncalli has been a dominant force so far, but they're in the middle of a mini-slump at the moment. They were two points away from ending the streak, but they lost a 64-62 heartbreaker at the hands of New Palestine. While the Royals didn't get the win, they did start the game off strong, beating the Dragons 17-12 in the first quarter.
Center Grove will need focus on slowing down Conner Kesler, one of several Roncalli players who made an impact when they last played. He went 8 of 14 en route to 20 points and six boards. Kesler has been hot recently, having also posted two or more steals the last four times he's played. Will Hegwood was another key player, putting up seven points in addition to ten assists and seven rebounds.
Roncalli's loss ended a seven-game streak of wins at home and dropped them to 10-4. As for Center Grove, their defeat dropped their record down to 9-6.
Center Grove strolled past Roncalli when the teams last played back in January of 2024 by a score of 47-33. Does Center Grove have another victory up their sleeve, or will Roncalli turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
