Basketball Game Preview: LEAD Academy Panthers vs. East Nashville Magnet Eagles

LEAD Academy hasn't had much luck against East Nashville Magnet recently, but that could start to change on Monday. The LEAD Academy Panthers will square off against the East Nashville Magnet Eagles. Both come into the matchup bolstered by wins in their previous matches.

LEAD Academy took a 22-point loss the last time they faced off against Stratford, but this time they managed to keep it close and that made all the difference. LEAD Academy sure made it a nail-biter, but they managed to escape with a 57-54 win over Stratford on Friday. The high-flying offensive performance was a huge turnaround for the Panthers considering their 18-point performance the game before.

Jackline Nzainambaho

Points (Career)

02/28/25 vs Stratford	24
11/25/23 vs Knowledge Academies	10
02/15/24 vs Stem Preparatory Academy	8
02/02/24 @ Stem Preparatory Academy	8
12/01/23 @ Valor College Prep	8

LEAD Academy's victory was a true team effort, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Jackline Nzainambaho, who posted 24 points and six steals. Those 24 points gave Nzainambaho a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Jada Pilate, who almost dropped a double-double with 19 points and nine rebounds.

Meanwhile, East Nashville Magnet entered their tilt with Whites Creek last Saturday with three consecutive wins , and they'll enter their next game with four. They strolled past the Cobras with points to spare, taking the game 41-24. Given the Eagles' advantage in MaxPreps' Tennessee basketball rankings (they are ranked 67th, while the Cobras are ranked 256th), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.

LEAD Academy's record now sits at 5-13. As for East Nashville Magnet, their record is now 22-1.

LEAD Academy was dealt a bruising 53-11 defeat at the hands of East Nashville Magnet in their previous matchup back in November of 2024. Can LEAD Academy avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.