Basketball Recap: Bailey Travis' Big Game Can't Quite Lead Horizon over Ocoee

Horizon entered their matchup against Ocoee on Thursday without any home losses, but there's a first time for everything. The Horizon Hawks fell 54-47 to the Ocoee Knights. While losing is never fun, the Hawks can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Florida basketball rankings (they are ranked 106th, while the Knights are ranked 30th).

Horizon's defeat came despite a true team effort from the offense, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Bailey Travis, who went 6 for 10 en route to 16 points. That's the most points Travis has posted since back in December of 2024. Another player making a difference was Zoe Corjay, who posted nine points and five assists.

Ocoee was led to victory by Dakara Merthie and Kylie Holden. Merthie went 8 of 17 on her way to 23 points and five steals, while Holden dropped a double-double on 20 points and 11 rebounds. Merthie is on a roll when it comes to steals, as she's now grabbed three or more in the last five games she's played. Jayla Weiser was another key player, putting up seven points and six assists.

Horizon is on a three-game losing streak that has dropped them down to 12-8. As for Ocoee, the win was the fifth in a row for them, bringing their record for this year to 18-3.

Horizon wasted no time getting back out on the court and has already played their next contest, a 61-54 victory against Edgewater on the 24th. Ocoee has also already played their next game (against Central Florida Christian Academy), but no score has been uploaded at the time of writing.