Basketball Recap: Celebration Falls Despite Big Games from Braden Plaisted and Ricardo Baro

On Saturday, the Celebration Storm came up short against the Jackson County Blue Devils and fell 56-48. While losing is never fun, the Storm can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' basketball rankings in their respective home states (they are ranked 402nd in Florida, while the Blue Devils are ranked 81st in Tennessee).

Celebration's loss came despite strong showings from Ricardo Baro and Braden Plaisted. Baro posted 11 points, while Plaisted earned nine points. Baro is trending in the right direction considering he's improved his point production for three straight games.

Storm

Assists

01/13/24 vs Santa Fe	1
12/15/23 vs Ridgeview Global Studies Academy	16
01/12/24 @ North Kissimmee Christian	14
12/04/23 vs Liberty	13
12/05/23 vs Freedom	12

Even though they lost, Celebration was working as a unit and finished the game with 12 assists. That's the most assists they've posted since back in January.

This is the second loss in a row for Celebration and nudges their season record down to 6-6. As for Jackson County, their victory bumped their record up to 9-1.

Both teams will have to hit the road in their upcoming games. Celebration and Mount Dora Christian Academy will round out the year against one another at at 5:30 p.m. on Friday. Mount Dora Christian Academy is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 61.9 points per game this season. As for Jackson County, they will get to enjoy the win for a while: their next game is against Cumberland County at 7:30 p.m. on January 3, 2025.