Basketball Recap: Robert F. Smith STEAM Academy Takes a Loss

Robert F. Smith STEAM Academy was not able to break out of their rough patch on Wednesday as the team picked up their third straight loss. They lost to the Denver West Cowboys on the road by a 61-43 margin. While losing is never fun, the Lions can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Colorado basketball rankings (they are ranked 304th, while the Cowboys are ranked 34th).

Despite the loss, Robert F. Smith STEAM Academy still got an impressive performance from Jackson Taylor, who dropped a double-double on 12 points and 11 rebounds. Taylor is becoming a predictor of Robert F. Smith STEAM Academy's success: when he posts at least eight boards the team is 2-1 (and 1-10 when he doesn't). Another player making a difference was Prince-Michael Combs, who posted five points and four steals.

Denver West's success was the result of a balanced attack that saw several players step up, but Jaheim Taylor led the charge by dropping a double-double on 19 points and 16 rebounds. Taylor continues to improve, besting his previous point total in each of the last three games he's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Jeremiah Parker, who scored 15 points in addition to six boards and three steals.

Robert F. Smith STEAM Academy's defeat dropped their record down to 3-11. As for Denver West, the win (which was their fifth in a row) raised their record to 13-1.

Robert F. Smith STEAM Academy will welcome DSST: Green Valley Ranch at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. DSST: Green Valley Ranch is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 52.6 points per game this season. As for Denver West, they are taking a road trip to challenge Rocky Mountain Prep SMART at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. The timing isn't great for Rocky Mountain Prep SMART: they have been struggling with four straight losses at home, while Denver West has snatched up seven consecutive wins on the road dating back to last season.