Basketball Recap: Akeelha Barnes' Big Game Can't Quite Lead Harding over Athens

Harding suffered their closest loss since December 9, 2023 on Saturday. They fell just short of the Athens Bulldogs by a score of 52-50. While losing is never fun, the Raiders can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Ohio basketball rankings (they are ranked 163rd, while the Bulldogs are ranked 46th).

Several Raiders players turned in solid performances despite ultimately coming up short. Perhaps the best among those players was Akeelha Barnes, who dropped a double-double on 20 points and ten boards. Barnes is crushing it when it comes to boards: she's pulled down at least nine every time she's taken the court this season. Ja'Leah Provitt was another key player, putting up eight points along with seven boards and four steals.

Even though they lost, Harding smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 15 offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least 11 offensive rebounds in ten consecutive matchups.

Athens' success was the result of a balanced attack that saw several players step up, but Quinn Banks led the charge by going 9 of 15 on her way to 20 points and six rebounds. The team also got some help courtesy of Ella Chapman, who posted six points and eight steals.

Harding's defeat dropped their record down to 7-3. As for Athens, their record now sits at 8-1.

Harding will welcome Austintown-Fitch at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. As for Athens, they will venture away from home to take on Marietta at 6:15 p.m. on Friday. Marietta will roll in looking for their tenth straight win, something Athens surely won't give up without a fight.