Basketball Game Preview: Venice Indians vs. Plant Panthers

The Venice Indians will take on the Plant Panthers in a tournament on Friday. Both come into the contest bolstered by wins in their previous matches.

Last Wednesday, Venice didn't have too much trouble with Sarasota as they won 43-29. The 43-point effort marked the Indians' lowest-scoring match of the season, but in the end it didn't matter.

Venice had a senior duo take command as Zoe O'Leary went 6 of 11 on her way to 14 points along with five boards and four blocks and Addison Ivery posted ten points in addition to six assists and five rebounds. Ivery is also on a roll when it comes to steals, as she's now grabbed two or more in the last 11 games she's played. Another player making a difference was Brooklyn Dominguez, who put up eight points and three steals.

Meanwhile, Plant came into Thursday's game having lost four straight, but that streak is now in the rearview. They were the clear victor by a 55-29 margin over Wharton on Thursday. The Panthers have made a habit of sweeping their opponents off the court, having now won six contests by 26 points or more this season.

Venice is also on a roll lately: they've won three of their last four matches, which provided a nice bump to their 10-5 record this season. As for Plant, their victory ended a five-game drought on the road and puts them at 8-10.

Venice might still be hurting after the 72-47 loss they got from Plant in their previous meeting back in February of 2023. Thankfully for Venice, Morgan Sieper (who went 6 for 11 en route to 18 points in addition to six boards and five steals) won't be suiting up this time. Will that be enough to change the final result? There's only one way to find out.