Tuesday Hoops Preview, 2/7
Blackhawk (7-3, 11-7) at New Castle (10-0, 19-0)
This past Friday, New Castle won the WPIAL Class AAA Section 2 regular season title outright after their 84-58 victory over Hopewell. The Hurricanes are approaching their 2001-02 start where the 'Canes began the season with a 26-0 mark. Sophomore Malik Hooker has scored 38-points in his last two outings.
Badger (3-9, 3-12) at Grand Valley (6-3, 9-5)
Can the Braves knock off another Stars' Division top-tier team? Badger shocked the Northeast Athletic Conference on Friday when the Braves defeated Pymatuning Valley, 59-42. Kenny Bolyard scored 38 against Bristol on December 23. He had not scored 20 or more points since then until last Friday when he registered a 23-point performance. This Tuesday will be a showdown at Grand Valley. In their first meeting on December 2, the Mustangs posted a 50-24 victory.
East Liverpool (14-2) at Beaver Local (6-10)
Since losing two straight to West Branch (51-44 on January 16) and North Catholic (70-59), the Potters have compiled three wins in a row including a 70-68 victory over the PIAA's Class A third-ranked Lincoln Park. Marky Thompkins scored 34 points against the Leopards. Thompkins has averaged 25-points per game during the three-game win streak.
East Palestine (7-4, 8-6) at South Range (10-2, 13-3)
Zak Brockman's last second overtime tip-in gave East Palestine a 77-75 win over South Range on January 10. Jake DiCello scored 26 as Brockman added 14 for the Bulldogs. Brandon Pluchinsky led the Raiders offensive attack with 21. The Bulldogs will try and play spoiler as South Range still has hopes of at least sharing the Upper Tier crown with Springfield.
