Basketball Game Preview: Los Angeles Leadership Academy Lions vs. University Pathways Medical Magnet

The Los Angeles Leadership Academy Lions will square off against University Pathways Medical Magnet at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Los Angeles Leadership Academy has a tough task ahead: they'll enter the match with four straight losses, while University Pathways Medical Magnet will come in with nine straight wins.

It was a proper cat-fight when Los Angeles Leadership Academy duked it out withCamino Nuevo Dalzell Lance Campus on Tuesday. Los Angeles Leadership Academy fell just short of Camino Nuevo Dalzell Lance Campus by a score of 26-24. While losing is never fun, the Lions can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' California basketball rankings (they are ranked 1108th, while the Tigers are ranked 447th).

Despite the defeat, Los Angeles Leadership Academy saw an underclassman step up: freshman Alexa Hernandez posted 11 points and five steals. That was a full 45.8% of Los Angeles Leadership Academy's points, marking the third time in a row she's put up more than a third of the team's points. Leia Nevarez was another key player, putting up six points and ten rebounds.

Meanwhile, University Pathways Medical Magnet took their game on Monday with ease, bagging a 48-10 victory over University Pathways Public Service Academy. University Pathways Medical Magnet has made a habit of sweeping their opponents off the court, having now won seven contests by 24 points or more this season.

Los Angeles Leadership Academy better keep an eye on Gianna Benitez. She was instrumental in University Pathways Medical Magnet's win, dropping a double-double on 22 points and 11 boards. Benitez has been hot, having also posted two or more steals the last seven times she's played. Another player making a difference was Natalie Hartfield, who went 6 for 10 en route to 12 points.

University Pathways Medical Magnet's win was their fifth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 11-11. The wins came thanks to their defensive effort, having only surrendered 8.2 points per game. As for Los Angeles Leadership Academy, their loss dropped their record down to 4-8.