Basketball Recap: Noah Ayala's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Immanuel Christian over Eastlake

After flying high against Fort Hancock last Tuesday, Immanuel Christian came back down to earth. The Immanuel Christian Warriors fell 56-49 to the Eastlake Falcons on Saturday. While losing is never fun, the Warriors can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Texas basketball rankings (they are ranked 1173rd, while the Falcons are ranked 274th).

Immanuel Christian lost despite a true team effort on offense, the best among them being Noah Ayala, who dropped a double-double on 15 points and 13 rebounds. The team also got some help courtesy of Ben Story, who posted 12 points.

Eastlake's win was a true team effort, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Derek Mendez, who put up 18 points and three steals. Jeremiah Jones was another key player, putting up 14 points and three steals.

Immanuel Christian's loss dropped their record down to 10-12. As for Eastlake, they have been performing well recently as they've won eight of their last ten matchups, which provided a nice bump to their 18-5 record this season.

Both teams are looking forward to the support of their home crowds in their upcoming games. Immanuel Christian will host Gadsden at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Immanuel Christian is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 50.3 points per game this season. As for Eastlake, they will be playing at home against Montwood at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Both teams are headed into the matchup with plenty of momentum (Eastlake has won 12 straight at home dating back to last season, while Montwood won four straight on the road), something that'll have to change.