Basketball Recap: Zion Lanier's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Portal over Savannah

On Friday, the Portal Panthers came up short against the Savannah Bluejackets and fell 61-51. While losing is never fun, the Panthers can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Georgia basketball rankings (they are ranked 333rd, while the Bluejackets are ranked 86th).

Portal's loss came despite a true team effort from the offense, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Zion Lanier, who went 5 for 12 on his way to 14 points and five assists. CJ Harden was another key player, putting up ten points and six rebounds.

Savannah's success was the result of a balanced attack that saw several players step up, but Maki Joyner led the charge by posting 14 points and eight rebounds. Joyner is also on a roll when it comes to steals, as he's now grabbed two or more in the last eight games he's played. Another player making a difference was Deshawn Davis, who dropped a double-double on 14 points and 14 rebounds.

Portal has been struggling recently as they've lost six of their last eight matchups, which put a noticeable dent in their 7-9 record this season. As for Savannah, they pushed their record up to 11-3 with the victory, which was their fourth straight at home.

Portal will venture away from home to square off against Screven County at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Screven County is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 58.5 points per game this season. As for Savannah, they didn't take long to hit the court again: they've already played their next contest, a 70-52 defeat against Andrew Jackson on the 11th.