Basketball Game Preview: Goleman Gators vs. Hialeah Gardens Gladiators

Goleman hasn't had much luck against Hialeah Gardens recently, but that could start to change on Friday. The two teams will face off at 7:30 p.m. without much rest having both just played.

Goleman fought the good fight in their overtime game against Marathon on Thursday but wound up with a less-than-desirable result. They fell just short of the Dolphins by a score of 56-53. The loss was a bit of a surprise, as the Gators came into the contest with a sizable advantage in MaxPreps' Florida basketball rankings (they are ranked 344th, while the Dolphins are ranked 698th).

Meanwhile, Hialeah Gardens came into Thursday's match having lost three straight, but that streak is now in the rearview. They blew past Dr. Krop, posting a 64-33 victory.

Goleman better focus on containing Alexander Masis and Eduardo Hernandez as the pair were huge in Hialeah Gardens' win. Masis posted 21 points along with five assists and five steals, while Hernandez dropped a double-double on 15 points and ten rebounds. Masis is on a roll when it comes to steals, as he's now grabbed two or more in the last three games he's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Ray Hernandez Jr, who earned eight points in addition to ten boards and six assists.

Hialeah Gardens smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 19 offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least 16 offensive rebounds in five consecutive games.

Goleman's defeat dropped their record down to 14-6. As for Hialeah Gardens, their win bumped their record up to 6-9.

Goleman barely slipped by Hialeah Gardens in their previous meeting last Thursday, winning 40-39. Does Goleman have another victory up their sleeve, or will Hialeah Gardens turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.