Basketball Game Preview: Ascend Leadership Academy Aviators vs. Riverside Christian Academy Royals

The Ascend Leadership Academy Aviators and the Riverside Christian Academy Royals will compete for holiday cheer at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday. The timing isn't great for Ascend Leadership Academy: they have been struggling with four straight losses at home, while Riverside Christian Academy has snatched up three consecutive wins on the road.

On Tuesday, Ascend Leadership Academy was within striking distance but couldn't close the gap as they fell 48-42 to Clover Garden School.

Despite the loss, Ascend Leadership Academy saw an underclassman step up: freshman Omar Rodriguez posted 11 points and five boards. The team also got some help courtesy of Zaedyn McCullum, who scored seven points.

Meanwhile, you're bound to get a positive result if you outscore your opponent every quarter and that's exactly how it played out for Riverside Christian Academy on Wednesday. Given that consistent dominance, it should come as no surprise that they blew American Leadership Academy out of the water with an 86-31 final score. The Royals have made a habit of sweeping their opponents off the court, having now won seven games by 24 points or more this season.

Riverside Christian Academy's victory bumped their record up to 9-4. As for Ascend Leadership Academy, their defeat dropped their record down to 2-8.