Basketball Recap: Nikole Vinokurov Leads a Balanced Attack to Beat Encina

Futures won the last time they faced Encina and things went their way on Friday too. The Futures Knights came out on top in a nail-biter against the Encina Bulldogs, sneaking past 27-25. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest victory the Knights have posted since December 2, 2023.

Multiple players turned in solid performances to lead Futures to victory, but perhaps none more so than Nikole Vinokurov, who posted five points along with ten boards and four steals. Vinokurov is trending in the right direction considering she's improved her point production for three straight games. The team also got some help courtesy of Sasha Salfetnikov, who put up seven points in addition to nine rebounds and four steals.

Encina's defeat shouldn't obscure the performances of Elise Brandon, who dropped a double-double on 13 points and 13 boards, and Khaliah McDonald, who had five points along with 12 boards and six blocks. That was a full 52% of Encina's points, marking the eighth time in a row she's posted more than a third of the team's points. Taytum Buggage was another key player, putting up two points and 13 rebounds.

Knights

Previous 2 Games

01/03/25 @ Encina	27-25
12/27/24 vs Victory Christian	51-31

The win made it two in a row for Futures and bumps their season record up to 5-8. As for Encina, this is the second loss in a row for them and nudges their season record down to 4-4.

Futures wasted no time getting back out on the court and has already played their next matchup, a 51-28 victory against Bradshaw Christian on the 4th. As for Encina, they will challenge Oakmont at 5:30 p.m. on Monday. Oakmont will roll in looking for their seventh straight win, something Encina surely won't give up without a fight.