Basketball Recap: Eric (Ej) Beard Jr's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Heights over Stratford

Heights and Stratford squared off in some playoff action on Tuesday, but Heights had to settle for second. They fell 55-45 to the Stratford Spartans. If the Bulldogs were looking for revenge after losing 70-54 to them when the teams met back in November of 2019, then they'll just have to keep looking.

Eric (Ej) Beard Jr

Blocked Shots (Career)

02/18/25 vs Stratford	2
02/10/25 @ Cesar E. Chavez	1
01/13/25 @ Wisdom	1
12/20/24 vs McKinley	1
12/05/24 vs Iowa Colony	1

Heights' loss came despite a true team effort with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Eric (Ej) Beard Jr, who posted 14 points. The dominant performance also gave Beard Jr a new career-high in blocks (two). Jordan Clavelle was another key player, putting up eight points and seven boards.

Heights' defeat dropped their record down to 21-13. As for Stratford, the win made it two in a row for them and bumps their season record up to 16-17.

Heights does not have any more games scheduled as of now. As for Stratford, they will take on George Ranch at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. One thing working in George Ranch's favor is that they have posted at least 55 points in their last four matches.