If the Lake Wales Highlanders were riding high off their 60-31 takedown of the First Christian Lions last Saturday, their most recent game may have dampened their spirits a bit. Lake Wales fell just short of Haines City by a score of 61-58. Having run the score up that high, both teams might be doing some extra defensive drills very soon.
Defeat or not, Lake Wales got some senior leadership from Jason Burgos and Jeremy Willingham. Burgos scored 12 points along with five rebounds and three steals, while Willingham. scored eight points along with five rebounds and three steals. Another player making a difference was Gabriel Legrand, who scored seven points along with three steals.
Even though they lost, Lake Wales smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 26 offensive rebounds. That's the most offensive rebounds they've managed all season.
Multiple players turned in solid performances to lead Haines City to victory, but perhaps none more so than Ixion Toro, who dropped a double-double on 13 points and 15 rebounds. As a matter of fact, that's the most points Toro has scored all season. The team also got some help courtesy of Jorge Ramirez, who scored 21 points along with two steals.
Lake Wales has not been sharp recently, as they've lost three of their last four games, which put a noticeable dent in their 7-12 record this season. As for Haines City, their win ended a three-game drought on the road and puts them at 5-15.
Both teams are looking forward to the support of their home crowds in their upcoming games. Lake Wales will take on Bartow at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. As for Haines City, they will be playing at home against Davenport at 8:00 p.m. on Friday.
