Basketball Recap: Joel Velazquez's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Circle Christian over International Community

Circle Christian was not able to break out of their rough patch on Saturday as the team picked up their fourth straight loss. They took a hard 61-47 fall against the International Community Comets. The result was an unpleasant reminder to the Centurions of the 62-43 defeat they experienced in the pair's previous head-to-head fixture back in January of 2024.

Joel Velazquez

Points

11/21/24 vs Winter Springs	20
01/25/25 vs International Community	15
11/19/24 vs University	15
01/24/25 @ Freedom	13
01/03/25 @ Key West	12

Circle Christian lost despite a true team effort on offense, the best among them being Joel Velazquez, who posted 15 points and seven boards. That's the most points Velazquez has posted since back in November of 2024. Another player making a difference was Noah Whisler, who scored eight points and five steals.

Leading International Community to victory were Slade Woodruff and Paxton Boaz. Woodruff went 8 for 10 en route to 22 points, while Boaz went 7 of 13 on his way to 17 points along with seven rebounds and six assists. The team also got some help courtesy of Caleb Farrell, who went 5 of 6 on his way to 12 points.

Circle Christian's loss dropped their record down to 3-14. As for International Community, with the victory, they broke their three-game losing streak and moved their record to 10-11.

Both squads will have to hit the road in their upcoming games. Circle Christian will face off against Lake Mary Prep at 7:00 p.m. on Monday. Lake Mary Prep will roll in looking for their fourth straight win, something Circle Christian surely won't give up without a fight. As for International Community, they will take on Hope Academy at 7:00 p.m. on Monday. International Community is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 55.8 points per game this season.