Basketball Recap: DeLand Comes Up Short

DeLand suffered their closest defeat since January 20, 2024 on Thursday. They fell just short of the Boone Braves by a score of 55-53. The Bulldogs were given a dose of their own medicine in this game as the Braves apparently hadn't forgotten their loss the last time these teams played back in December of 2017.

Defeat or not, DeLand got some senior leadership from Robert Davis and Justin Suarez. Davis went 6 of 8 from beyond the arc en route to 18 points and seven rebounds, while Suarez posted 21 points. Those 18 points set a new season-high mark for Davis. The team also got some help courtesy of Daniel Rodriguez, who had six points.

Leading Boone to victory were Makauri Massey and Joan Orta. Massey went 7 for 17 on his way to 18 points, while Orta dropped a double-double on 16 points and 11 boards. Those 18 points gave Massey a new career-high. Erik Boyer was another key player, putting up seven points.

DeLand has traveled a rocky road recently having lost three of their last four matches, which put a noticeable dent in their 10-8 record this season. As for Boone, the win was the third in a row for them, bringing their record for this year to 10-11.

DeLand will take on Flagler Palm Coast in a tournament on Monday. DeLand is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 62.1 points per game this season. Boone has already played their next game, a 70-66 loss against Olympia on the 24th.