Basketball Game Preview: DME Academy Blue - vs. New Smyrna Beach Barracudas

Two dominant guards in LIONEL TOSCANINI and Mikey Steward are getting ready to go toe-to-toe. The DME Academy Blue - just played yesterday, but they'll still head out to face the New Smyrna Beach Barracudas at 4:30 p.m. on Friday. DME Academy Blue is coming into the contest on a three-game losing streak.

DME Academy Blue is headed into the game out to prove that what happened against Southland Christian on Thursday (when they were outscored in every quarter) was just a minor bump in the road. DME Academy Blue might have been a little too into the holiday spirit, gifting Southland Christian an easy 78-52 victory. While losing is never fun, the - can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Florida basketball rankings (they are ranked 359th, while the FLAMES are ranked 51st).

Meanwhile, New Smyrna Beach scored the most points they've had this season on Thursday, but it wasn't enough. They fell just short of Flagler Palm Coast by a score of 77-74. It was the first time this season that the Barracudas let down their fans at home.

New Smyrna Beach's defeat ended a five-game streak of wins at home and dropped them to 6-1. As for DME Academy Blue, their loss dropped their record down to 11-9.

Things could have been worse for DME Academy Blue, but things could have been a whole lot better as they took an 84-70 loss to New Smyrna Beach in their previous matchup back in December of 2021. Thankfully for DME Academy Blue, Ryan Weeks (who made all 6 shots he took from beyond the arc for 41 points) won't be suiting up this time. Will that be enough to change the final result? There's only one way to find out.