Basketball Recap: Lakewood Falls Despite Big Games from Camari Hopkins and Sumayah Mcintosh

If Lakewood was riding high fresh off their 83-13 takedown of Boca Ciega last Wednesday, their most recent game may have dampened their spirits a bit. The Lakewood Spartans took a 64-51 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Wildwood Wildcats on Saturday. While losing is never fun, the Spartans can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Florida basketball rankings (they are ranked 99th, while the Wildcats are ranked 16th).

CaMari Hopkins

Rebounds (Career)

12/14/24 @ Wildwood	15
02/14/24 vs Lemon Bay	14
02/01/24 vs Clearwater	13
02/22/24 vs Booker	12
12/27/23 vs Boca Raton	11

Despite the loss, Lakewood had strong showings from Sumayah McIntosh, who went 7 of 15 en route to 15 points along with seven boards and six assists, and CaMari Hopkins, who dropped a double-double on 14 points and 15 boards. Those 15 boards gave Hopkins a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Mikayla Paschal, who posted ten points and five rebounds.

Even though they lost, Lakewood smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 14 offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least 14 offensive rebounds in three consecutive games.

Lakewood's defeat dropped their record down to 5-4. As for Wildwood, the win keeps them at an undefeated 7-0.

Both squads are looking forward to the support of their home crowds in their upcoming games. Lakewood and Plant will compete for holiday cheer on Friday. Wildwood will take on Lake Minneola in a holiday battle at at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday.