Basketball Recap: Eastside Takes Loss Despite Strong Performances from Jermaine Gladdin and Jai'vion Williams

Eastside was not able to break out of their rough patch on Saturday as the team picked up their ninth straight defeat. They took a hard 71-56 fall against the Wesley Chapel Wildcats. While losing is never fun, the Rams can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Florida basketball rankings (they are ranked 464th, while the Wildcats are ranked 157th).

Eastside's loss shouldn't obscure the performances of Jai'Vion Williams, who posted 11 points, and Jermaine Gladdin, who earned seven points. Another player making a difference was Jordan Johnson, who put up five points and five boards.

Leading Wesley Chapel to victory were Sian Morris and TJ Aguilar. Morris went 6 of 11 en route to 20 points along with seven assists and five rebounds, while Aguilar went 6 for 11 on his way to 16 points. What's more, Aguilar also racked up three assists, the most he's had since back in January of 2024. Cooper Peat was another key player, putting up ten points.

Eastside's defeat dropped their record down to 1-13. As for Wesley Chapel, the win was the third in a row for them, bringing their record for this year to 11-4.

Eastside wasted no time getting back out on the court and has already played their next matchup, a 52-33 loss against Hawthorne on the 14th. As for Wesley Chapel, they also didn't take long to hit the court again: they've already played their next contest, a 91-70 victory against Zephyrhills on the 14th.