Basketball Recap: Dunnellon Drops Highest Score of Season Against Hernando

Winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Dunnellon). They enjoyed a cozy 71-56 win over the Hernando Leopards on Wednesday. The victory made it back-to-back wins for the Tigers.

Dunnellon's victory was a true team effort, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Eli Nelson, who went 9 of 11 en route to 18 points. Nelson continues to improve, besting his previous point total in each of the last three games he's played. Another player making a difference was Sean Martin, who went 6 for 11 on his way to 18 points in addition to six assists and four steals.

Tigers

Offensive Rebounds

01/11/24 vs Belleview	20
12/20/23 vs Eagle's View	19
12/18/24 @ Hernando	18
01/29/24 @ Lake Weir	16
12/10/24 vs Lake Weir	16

Dunnellon smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 18 offensive boards. That's the most offensive boards they've posted since back in January.

Despite the loss, Hernando still got an impressive performance from Daniel Merizalde, who went 7 of 13 on his way to 19 points and three steals. The team also got some help courtesy of Sam Jackson, who posted 12 points.

Dunnellon now has a winning record of 4-3. As for Hernando, their loss ended a three-game streak of wins at home and dropped them to 7-3.

A feisty cat fight will be fought when the Dunnellon Tigers duke it out with the Lecanto Panthers at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Lecanto will roll in looking for their ninth straight win, something Dunnellon surely won't give up without a fight. Hernando and Academy at the Lakes will compete for holiday cheer at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. Hernando is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 56.9 points per game this season.