Preview: Fort Hays Tech Trailblazers at Independence Pirates

INDEPENDENCE, Kan. (Interstat) — A tight conference race brings the Fort Hays Tech Trailblazers to Oakes Family Fieldhouse on Wednesday to face the Independence Pirates in a men’s junior college basketball matchup.

The Pirates (11-7) enter with a slight edge in the standings and momentum, having won four of their last five games. Their most recent outing was an 87-75 road victory at Pratt on Jan. 31. Independence’s engine is guard Sterling Knox, who is averaging a near triple-double in his last four contests. Over that stretch, he posted lines of 22 points, eight rebounds and eight assists; 20 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists; 12 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists; and 12 points, four rebounds and 10 assists.

The Trailblazers (10-9) look to rebound from a heartbreaking 99-97 home loss to Butler (Kan.) on Jan. 31. In that game, forward Marquintez Dixon recorded 16 points and 14 rebounds. Dixon has been a consistent force, notching a double-double in two of his last three games and blocking multiple shots in four of his last seven.

This meeting is a rematch of a Dec. 3 thriller, which Independence won 85-83 on Fort Hays Tech’s home floor. The Pirates’ current winning streak and Knox’s versatile playmaking will test a Trailblazers defense that has been inconsistent, allowing 100 points in a loss at Garden City on Jan. 28 but also holding Pratt to 56 points in a win on Jan. 21.

For Fort Hays Tech, containing Knox and finding secondary scoring behind Dixon will be critical. Kaleel Kelly (24 points vs. Butler) and Da’King Smith (17 points, seven rebounds) have provided recent support. For Independence, maintaining their recent offensive efficiency—they’ve scored at least 81 points in four straight wins—against a Trailblazers team capable of stifling defense will be the key.

Tip-off is set for Wednesday night in Independence. The Pirates’ next game is at Garden City on Saturday. The Trailblazers host Seward County in a double-header next weekend.