Basketball Game Preview: IMG Academy Black Ascenders vs. Bishop Verot Vikings

The IMG Academy Black Ascenders will head out on the road to take on the Bishop Verot Vikings at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday. IMG Academy Black has a tough task ahead: they'll enter the match with five straight defeats, while Bishop Verot will come in with three straight victories.

Last Thursday, IMG Academy Black lost to Southern Coast Academy National at home by a 62-47 margin. While losing is never fun, the Ascenders can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Florida basketball rankings (they are ranked 494th, while the Rams are ranked 135th).

Meanwhile, Bishop Verot hadn't done well against Community School of Naples recently (they were 1-8 in their previous nine matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Monday. In a tight contest that could have gone either way, Bishop Verot made off with a 29-28 win over Community School of Naples.

IMG Academy Black better keep an eye on Austin Leslie. He was instrumental in Bishop Verot's win, dropping a double-double on 11 points and 13 boards.

Bishop Verot pushed their record up to 3-0 with the victory, which was their fourth straight on the road dating back to last season. As for IMG Academy Black, their loss ended a three-game streak of wins at home dating back to last season and dropped them to 0-4.