Basketball Game Preview: Springstead Eagles vs. Hernando Leopards

The Springstead Eagles will head out to challenge the Hernando Leopards at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Given that the two teams suffered a loss in their last games, they both have a little extra motivation heading into this game.

Springstead is headed into Friday's match hungry for a win as their strong season has now been derailed by two straight defeats. They took a 48-33 bruising from Delaware Military Academy last Monday. While losing is never fun, the Eagles can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' basketball rankings in their respective home states (they are ranked 134th in Florida, while the Seahawks are ranked second in Delaware).

Despite the loss, Springstead saw an underclassman step up: freshman Ariana Willoughby posted 12 points. Willoughby has been hot recently, having also posted two or more steals the last three times she's played. Another player making a difference was Briana Coleman, who had seven points and five rebounds.

Meanwhile, after a string of three wins, Hernando's good fortune finally ran out on Wednesday. They fell to Nature Coast Tech 43-37.

Springstead will have to contain Ayana Kincade as she made an impact in Hernando's last game. She earned 27 points. That was a full 73% of Hernando's points, marking the sixth time in a row she's posted more than a third of the team's points.

Hernando's defeat ended a four-game streak of away wins and brought them to 7-6. As for Springstead, their loss dropped their record down to 11-4.

Springstead strolled past Hernando in their previous matchup back in January of 2024 by a score of 58-41. The rematch might be a little tougher for Springstead since the team won't have the home-court advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.