The Blytheville Chickasaws head to Paragould tonight to take on the Rams in another big 5A-East game.
At 3-5 (11-11 overall), and currently in fifth place, in the conference, every game is a big game from here on out for the Chicks.
"The kids know what's at stake," said Blytheville head coach David Hixson. "They know that we've got to win tonight."
The Chicks will try to avenge a 62-57 home loss to the Rams back in mid-January.
"That was a case of them (Paragould) playing extremely well and us playing extremely bad," said Hixson.
That night, Paragould (4-13, 2-6 5A-East) hit 24 of 28 free throw attempts including 21 of 24 in the fourth period alone.
"When a team shoots that many free throws, it's because you're not playing defense well enough," said Hixson. "You're not moving your feet and getting in position."
The Chicks played tough defense last Friday in their 45-42 win over Beebe following a strong performance in their double-overtime loss to Greene County Tech last Tuesday. Blytheville will look to continue the momentum with just three weeks left in the regular season.
"We need to do a better job, obviously, then what we did at our place," said Hixson. "Our intensity has to be at a higher level. It's always tough to play at Paragould."
The Chicks are currently one game behind Nettleton, which is 4-4, and holds the all important fourth place spot for a trip to the 5A state tournament.
The Raiders survived a one-point win over Wynne last Friday night and defeated the Chicks by a point as well just a few weeks ago.
Behind Blytheville is a three-way tie for sixth with the Rams, Batesville and Wynne all coming into Tuesday night's action at 2-6 with six games to play.
Batesville takes on Beebe at home will the Yellowjackets are home to face the first place Forrest City Mustangs. The Mustangs have yet to lose in the 5A-East this season.
On the injury front, the Chicks will still be without sophomore Larry Bolden who is out with a knee injury. Hixson said he may use another sophomore, Demarquas Evans.
"He's been coming along pretty well in practice," said Hixson. "We may use him in our three-four-five position rotation."
Center Greg McKillion has been playing better each game since coming back from an ankle injury but the 6-5 big man is now dealing with a bulging disc in his back.
"He should be able to play," said Hixson. "He's just going to have some discomfort."
Tuesday night's action begins with the "B" game at 5 p.m. followed by the senior girls game and concluding with the senior boys game.
afitzpatrick@blythevillecourier.com