Basketball Recap: Nicholas Edouard's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Celebration over Liberty

Celebration lost against Liberty back in January of 2024 and unfortunately they wound up with the same result on Wednesday. The Celebration Storm received a blow as they fell 66-48 to the Liberty Chargers. While losing is never fun, the Storm can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Florida basketball rankings (they are ranked 428th, while the Chargers are ranked 181st).

Celebration's defeat came despite a true team effort from the offense, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Nicholas Edouard, who posted 11 points and five boards. The dominant performance gave Edouard a new career-high in points. Triston McNeal was another key player, putting up six points and five rebounds.

Liberty got their win on the backs of several key players, but it was Lamar Lee out in front who went 6 for 10 on his way to 15 points in addition to five assists and three steals. Lee is on a roll when it comes to steals, as he's now grabbed two or more in the last 37 games he's played dating back to last season. Another player making a difference was Julian Soria, who went 5 of 6 en route to 13 points and eight boards.

Celebration has traveled a rocky road recently having lost three of their last four matches, which put a noticeable dent in their 9-10 record this season. As for Liberty, their record is now 11-3.

Celebration didn't take long to hit the court again: they've already played their next game, a 50-39 loss against Tohopekaliga on the 16th. Liberty has also already played their next contest, a 56-47 defeat against Poinciana on the 16th.