Basketball Game Preview: Haines City Hornets vs. Kathleen Red Devils

Haines City and Kathleen are an even 3-3 against one another since December of 2014, but not for long. The Haines City Hornets just played last yesterday, but they'll still welcome the Kathleen Red Devils at 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Haines City is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 58.6 points per game this season.

Haines City fought the good fight in their overtime match against Sebring on Tuesday but wound up with a less-than-desirable result. They fell just short of the Blue Streaks by a score of 55-53. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest loss the Hornets have suffered since December 9, 2024.

Haines City might have lost, but man, Eddy Hyppolite Jr. was a machine: he went 8 for 16 en route to 19 points in addition to four steals and three blocks. Those three blocks gave Hyppolite Jr. a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Keyjuan Odum, who posted seven points.

Kathleen got their first taste of in-conference action this week and they started things off strong. They walked away with a 56-44 victory over Freedom on Wednesday. The contest marked the Red Devils' most dominant win of the season.

Haines City has also been struggling recently as they've lost five of their last six games, which put a noticeable dent in their 9-10 record this season. As for Kathleen, the victory made it two in a row for them and bumps their season record up to 3-13.

Haines City came up short against Kathleen in their previous meeting back in December of 2020, falling 59-48. Thankfully for Haines City, JIMMIE HUFF (who went 8 of 13 on his way to 20 points) won't be suiting up this time. Will that be enough to change the final result? Check MaxPreps.com after the match to find out.