Basketball Game Preview: Gulf Coast HEAT vs. Sarasota Christian Blazers

Gulf Coast HEAT will challenge the Sarasota Christian Blazers at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday. Having both just faced considerable losses, both teams are looking to turn things around.

Gulf Coast HEAT's usually-dominant defense will be looking to make up for Thursday's struggle, when Bell Creek Academy offense got past them. Gulf Coast HEAT had to suffer through a 67-26 loss at the hands of Bell Creek Academy. The matchup marked Gulf Coast HEAT's lowest-scoring game so far this season.

Despite the loss, Gulf Coast HEAT saw an underclassman step up: sophomore Kenna Baker posted 17 points.

Meanwhile, it's never fun to lose, and it's even less fun to lose 55-23, which was the final score in Sarasota Christian's tilt against Braden River on Thursday. The defeat continues a trend for the Blazers in their matchups with the Pirates: they've now lost seven in a row.

Sarasota Christian now has a losing record at 9-10. As for Gulf Coast HEAT, their loss dropped their record down to 17-7.

Everything came up roses for Gulf Coast HEAT against Sarasota Christian in their previous matchup back in January, as the squad secured a 60-27 victory. In that contest, Gulf Coast HEAT amassed a halftime lead of 33-11, an impressive feat they'll look to repeat on Thursday.