Basketball Recap: Ricardo Baro's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Celebration over Poinciana

Celebration lost against Poinciana back in February of 2024 and unfortunately they wound up with the same result on Tuesday. The Celebration Storm fell just short of the Poinciana Eagles by a score of 50-48. While losing is never fun, the Storm can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Florida basketball rankings (they are ranked 428th, while the Eagles are ranked 150th).

Celebration's loss came despite a true team effort from the offense, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Ricardo Baro, who posted 16 points and four steals. That's the most steals Baro has posted since back in December of 2024. The team also got some help courtesy of Edson Oliveira Da Silva, who scored ten points and eight rebounds.

Poinciana's success was the result of a balanced attack that saw several players step up, but Xavier McCray led the charge by putting up 17 points and five boards. McCray's evening made it three games in a row in which he has scored at least ten points. Javonte Simpson-Lee was another key player, dropping a double-double on 14 points and 14 rebounds.

Celebration has been struggling recently as they've lost five of their last six matches, which put a noticeable dent in their 9-12 record this season. As for Poinciana, the victory was the third in a row for them, bringing their record for this year to 14-5.

Both teams are looking forward to the support of their home crowds in their upcoming games. Celebration will square off against Gateway at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. Celebration is facing Gateway at the right time seeing as Gateway is stuck on a three-game losing streak. As for Poinciana, they will take on Harmony at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday. That game will pit two of the most dominant forwards against one another: Sylus Cory and Simpson-Lee.