Basketball Game Preview: Lakeland Lakers vs. Angola Hornets

The Lakeland Lakers will head out to square off against the Angola Hornets at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Angola took a loss in their last contest and will be looking to turn the tables on Lakeland, who comes in off a win.

Lakeland was handed a 40-point defeat in their previous outing, but that didn't affect their clutch gene on Friday. They skirted past Prairie Heights 44-41. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win the Lakers have posted against the Panthers since January 11, 2017.

Meanwhile, Angola lost to East Noble on the road by a 67-49 margin on Tuesday.

Lakeland will have to keep a close watch on Ryan Stuckey and Niles Knox, a pair of players who had a big impact on Angola's prior game. Stuckey en route to 14 points, while Knox on his way to 14 points and eight boards. Stuckey is also on a roll when it comes to shooting accuracy, as he's posted one of at least 46% in the last three games he's played. Landon Leach was another key player, putting up five points.

Lakeland's victory bumped their record up to 13-8. As for Angola, their loss dropped their record down to 15-6.

Lakeland skirted past Angola 63-61 in their previous meeting back in February of 2024. One of the biggest obstacles trying to stand in the way of that victory was Angola's Dane Lantz, who to rack up 31 points and three steals. Now that he won't be playing on Friday, will it be easier for Lakeland to walk away with another win? There's only one way to find out.