After a string of three wins, the Mainland Buccaneers's good fortune finally ran out on Saturday. They were beaten by Winter Haven 81-45. While losing is never fun, Mainland can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Florida basketball rankings (they are ranked 55th, while Winter Haven is ranked fourth).
Mainland lost despite a true team effort on the offense, the best among them being DeAndre Newland, who scored eight points along with eight rebounds and two blocks. Newland is on a roll when it comes to blocks, as he's now posted two or more in the last three games he's played. Nathan Kirk was another key contributor, scoring 15 points along with two steals.
Leading Winter Haven to victory were Cezanne Mosley and Isaac Celiscar. Mosley dropped a double-double on 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Celiscar dropped a double-double on 22 points and 15 rebounds. Celiscar is on a roll when it comes to points, as he's now scored 15 or more in the last five games he's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Jamie Phillips jr, who scored nine points along with eight assists and six rebounds.
Mainland's defeat dropped their record down to 16-6. As for Winter Haven, their win was their 14th straight at home dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 21-1.
Mainland will be staying on the road on Friday to face off against Seminole at 7:00 p.m. on February 2nd. As for Winter Haven, they will face off against Norland at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.
