Basketball Recap: Central Finds Playoff Glory Versus Mater Lakes Academy

Central had already proven themselves in the regular season and they didn't miss a beat now that it's playoff time. They came out on top against the Mater Lakes Academy Bears by a score of 86-74 on Wednesday. For the Rockets, this counts as revenge for the 58-54 victory the Bears walked away with the last time they faced one another back in December of 2017.

Justin Suarez

Points (Career)

02/05/25 vs Mater Lakes Academy	32
01/09/25 vs Dr. Krop	27
01/05/24 vs North Miami Beach	25
01/21/25 vs Palmetto	23
12/17/24 vs Coral Reef	22

Multiple players turned in solid performances to lead Central to victory, but perhaps none more so than Justin Suarez, who dropped a double-double on 32 points and ten rebounds. Those 32 points gave Suarez a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Keri Foster, who dropped a triple-double on 20 points, ten boards, and ten assists.

Central smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 17 offensive boards. That's the most offensive rebounds they've managed all season.

Despite the defeat, Mater Lakes Academy saw an underclassman step up: freshman Tai Bell dropped a double-double on 30 points and 16 rebounds. That was a full 40.5% of Mater Lakes Academy's points, marking the sixth time in a row he's posted more than a third of the team's points. The team also got some help courtesy of Khanye Moss, who earned 22 points and five boards.

Central's win bumped their record up to 16-7. As for Mater Lakes Academy, their loss dropped their record down to 11-14.

Central wasted no time getting back out on the court and has already played their next matchup, a 65-56 defeat against Somerset Academy on the 7th. Mater Lakes Academy does not have any more games scheduled as of now.