Basketball Recap: Lakeland Takes Loss Despite Strong Efforts from Janae Carter and Aubrianna Paiz

Lakeland was not able to break out of their rough patch on Thursday as the team picked up their fifth straight loss. They lost 62-37 to the Western Branch Bruins. While losing is never fun, the Cavaliers can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Virginia basketball rankings (they are ranked 203rd, while the Bruins are ranked 83rd).

Lakeland's loss came despite strong showings from Aubrianna Paiz and Janae Carter. Paiz went 6-for-9 en route to 17 points and four steals, while Carter posted 17 points in addition to six boards and six blocks. That was a full 45.9% of Lakeland's points, marking the fifth time in a row Carter has earned more than a third of the team's points.

Western Branch got their victory on the backs of several key players, but it was Suki Warden out in front who put up 24 points. That's the most points Warden has posted since back in December of 2024. Maddie Lemasters was another key player, putting up 21 points.

Lakeland's defeat dropped their record down to 6-15. As for Western Branch, their win bumped their record up to 13-7.

Lakeland wasted no time getting back out on the court and has already played their next game, a 53-43 loss against Indian River on the 14th. As for Western Branch, they also didn't take long to hit the court again: they've already played their next matchup, a 52-46 victory against Great Bridge on the 14th.