Basketball Game Preview: Liberty Christian Academy Heat vs. John Paul II Catholic Saints

Liberty Christian Academy hasn't had much luck against John Paul II Catholic recently, but that could start to change on Monday. The Liberty Christian Academy Heat will host the John Paul II Catholic Saints at 6:45 p.m.

Last Thursday, Liberty Christian Academy came up short against Arendell Parrott Academy and fell 54-47.

Despite their defeat, Liberty Christian Academy saw several players rise to the challenge and make noteworthy plays. Deon Whitner Jr, who posted 13 points and six boards, was perhaps the best of all. Whitner Jr has been hot, having also posted two or more blocks the last five times he's played. Another player making a difference was Ryan Nyambane, who put up 11 points and three steals.

Meanwhile, John Paul II Catholic's game on Thursday was all tied up 27-27 at the half, but luckily for them it didn't stay that way. They secured a 44-40 W over Epiphany. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Saints.

Liberty Christian Academy better focus on containing Jamal Biggs and Drew Lysaght as the pair were huge in John Paul II Catholic's win. Biggs had 18 points and seven rebounds, while Lysaght posted 11 points. That makes it four consecutive games in which Biggs has scored at least a third of John Paul II Catholic's points. The team also got some help courtesy of Micah Gray-Hudnell, who earned four points and seven rebounds.

John Paul II Catholic's win bumped their record up to 7-4. As for Liberty Christian Academy, their loss ended a three-game streak of wins at home and dropped them to 9-3.

Liberty Christian Academy took a serious blow against John Paul II Catholic when the teams last played back in December of 2023, falling 63-30. That game was all but decided by halftime, at which point Liberty Christian Academy was down 35-14.