Basketball Recap: St. Petersburg Falls Despite Big Games from Nijaun Harris and Emir Gainer

St. Petersburg had to hit the road for their first game and it wasn't the result they were hoping for. They lost 92-72 to the Northside Christian Mustangs on Friday. The Green Devils were given a dose of their own medicine in this game as the Mustangs apparently hadn't forgotten their defeat the last time these teams played back in January of 2024.

Nijaun Harris

Points

11/21/25 vs Northside Christian	24
02/20/25 @ Countryside	22
02/17/25 @ Port Charlotte	28

Emir Gainer and Nijaun Harris certainly did their best on Friday to avoid the loss. Gainer posted 25 points and three steals, while Harris scored 24 points along with seven rebounds and four steals. Harris' big performance that evening made it three games in a row in which he has scored at least 22 points. Kevin Murphy was another key player, putting up four points.

Elijah Ahlers had an outrageously good game for Northside Christian as he shot 75% from beyond the arc on his way to 30 points. Another player making a difference was Jordan Bender, who dropped a double-double with ten points and 12 boards.

Northside Christian has started the season off flawlessly and has a 2-0 record to show for it.

St. Petersburg wasted no time getting back out on the court and has already played their next matchup, a 79-59 win against Carrollwood Day on the 22nd. As for Northside Christian, they also didn't take long to hit the court again: they've already played their next game, a 76-56 victory against IMG Academy Gold on the 22nd.