Basketball Game Preview: Key West Conchs vs. Manatee Hurricanes

The Key West Conchs just played last yesterday, but they'll still welcome the Manatee Hurricanes at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday. Expect the scorekeeper to be kept busy: if their previous games are any indication, both will really light up the scoreboard.

Manatee is facing Key West at the wrong time: Key West suffered their first home loss of the season on Friday and they're likely out for redemption. They fell just short of the Hi-Tides by a score of 58-55. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest loss the Conchs have suffered since January 17th.

Despite the defeat, Key West got top-tier performance from James Osborne, who went 13 of 23 on his way to 28 points and six rebounds. That was a full 50.9% of Key West's points, marking the third time in a row he's posted more than a third of the team's points. The team also got some help courtesy of Dylan Martinez, who put up six points along with five boards and three steals.

Meanwhile, Manatee hadn't done well against Braden River recently (they were 2-7 in their previous nine matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Thursday. Manatee came out on top against Braden River by a score of 58-49. While the Hurricanes didn't have the best season last year (they finished 8-17), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past.

Manatee's victory bumped their record up to 6-2. As for Key West, their loss ended a four-game streak of wins at home and dropped them to 4-4.