Basketball Recap: Awaken Christian Takes a Loss

Awaken Christian was not able to break out of their rough patch on Friday as the team picked up their fourth straight defeat. They took a 61-42 bruising from the Needles Mustangs. While losing is never fun, the Lions can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' basketball rankings in their respective home states (they are ranked 79th in Nevada, while the Mustangs are ranked 14th in California).

Multiple players turned in solid performances to lead Needles to victory, but perhaps none more so than Darrell Russell, who dropped a double-double on 20 points and 12 rebounds. What's more, Russell also racked up three blocks, the most he's had since back in December of 2024. Luca Walema was another key player, going 7 of 16 en route to 18 points in addition to seven boards and three blocks.

Awaken Christian now has a losing record at 8-9. As for Needles, the win keeps them at an undefeated 24-0.

A feisty cat fight is on tap when the Awaken Christian Lions take on the Laughlin Cougars at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. That contest will pit two of the most dominant guards against one another: Gavin Kepler and Kobe Phillips. As for Needles, they will take on Founders Classical Academy at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday. Needles knows how to get points on the board -- the team has finished with 55 points or more in their past 24 matchups -- so hopefully Founders Classical Academy likes a good challenge.