Basketball Game Preview: Bradenton Christian Panthers vs. IMG Academy State Ascenders

Bradenton Christian is 3-0 against IMG Academy State since January of 2017 and they'll have a chance to extend that success on Friday. Having just played yesterday, the Bradenton Christian Panthers will get right back to it and host the IMG Academy State Ascenders at 7:00 p.m. Bradenton Christian is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 56.4 points per game this season.

Bradenton Christian will head into Thursday's match on the come-up: they were handed a heart-breaking three-point loss in their last contest, but they sure didn't let that happen against Parrish Community on Thursday. Bradenton Christian was the clear victor by a 68-44 margin over Parrish Community. The Panthers have made a habit of sweeping their opponents off the court, having now won five games by 24 points or more this season.

Bradenton Christian had a senior duo take command as Taylor Blunden went 11 of 18 on her way to 28 points in addition to six assists and six boards and Lana Price dropped a double-double on 26 points and ten rebounds. Price is also on a roll when it comes to steals, as she's now grabbed two or more in the last three games she's played. Another player making a difference was Amelia Dammann, who went 5 of 8 on her way to 11 points and five steals.

Bradenton Christian was working as a unit and finished the game with 16 assists. That's the most assists they've posted since back in December of 2023.

Meanwhile, IMG Academy State was not able to break out of their rough patch on Saturday as the team picked up their fifth straight defeat. They were beaten by Centennial 53-21. The match marked the Ascenders' lowest-scoring contest so far this season.

IMG Academy State's loss dropped their record down to 1-8. As for Bradenton Christian, with the win, they broke their three-game losing streak and moved their record to 8-5.