Basketball Game Preview: Marquez Gladiators vs. Lakewood Lancers

The Marquez Gladiators and the Lakewood Lancers will round out the year against one another at at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday. Marquez is looking for their season's first win.

Last Monday, Marquez might have been a little too into the holiday spirit, gifting Blair an easy 68-48 victory.

Despite the loss, Marquez got top-tier performance from Cravon Charles, who dropped a double-double on 19 points and 15 rebounds. Charles continues to improve, besting his previous point total in each of the last three games he's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Elyjah Staples, who almost dropped a double-double on nine points and ten boards.

Even though they lost, Marquez 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 nine offensive rebounds in 17 consecutive games dating back to last season.

Meanwhile, after a string of three wins, Lakewood's good fortune finally ran out on Thursday. They came up short against Long Beach Poly, falling 63-42. For those keeping track at home, that's the biggest defeat the Lancers have suffered against the Jackrabbits since April 28, 2021.

Marquez's loss dropped their record down to 0-5. As for Lakewood, their defeat was their first in the league, dropping their league record down to 2-1 and their overall record down to 8-6.