Basketball Recap: Gulf Coast HEAT Takes Loss Despite Strong Performances from Westin Lacey and Steven Scott

If Gulf Coast HEAT was feeling good fresh off their 90-45 takedown of Sarasota Military Academy last Tuesday, their most recent game may have dampened their spirits a bit. Gulf Coast HEAT fell 75-63 to the Lakewood Ranch Mustangs on Friday. Gulf Coast HEAT's loss signaled the end of their three-game winning streak.

Gulf Coast HEAT's defeat shouldn't obscure the performances of Steven Scott, who dropped a double-double on 15 points and 11 boards, and Westin Lacey, who went 6 for 13 en route to 17 points along with eight rebounds and four steals. Scott is also crushing it when it comes to blocks: he's posted at least two every time he's taken the court this season. Cayden Bosso was another key player, going 6 of 13 on his way to 12 points and seven assists.

James Butler was a one-man wrecking crew for Lakewood Ranch as he went 13 for 26 en route to 36 points in addition to eight steals and seven boards. The dominant performance gave Butler a new career-high in points. The team also got some help courtesy of Liam Scalzo, who posted 16 points along with six steals and five assists.

Gulf Coast HEAT's loss dropped their record down to 12-5. As for Lakewood Ranch, with the win, they broke their eight-game losing streak and moved their record to 4-17.

Both squads are looking forward to the support of their home crowds in their upcoming games. Gulf Coast HEAT has already played their next contest (against Sarasota Military Academy), but no score has been uploaded at the time of writing. Lakewood Ranch has also has no score uploaded for their next match, this one against Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate.