The Freedom Patriots will take on the Tavares Bulldogs at 7:00 p.m. on Monday. Freedom is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 62.6 points per game this season.
Freedom took a loss when they played away from home back in December of 2024, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed two weeks ago. They claimed a resounding 79-44 victory over Innovation. The Patriots have made a habit of sweeping their opponents off the court, having now won four games by 27 points or more this season.
| 12/20/24 vs Innovation | 22 |
| 12/18/24 @ Tohopekaliga | 20 |
| 12/17/24 @ Celebration | 19 |
| 12/12/24 vs Tavares | 18 |
| 12/11/24 @ Mount Dora | 19 |
| 12/10/24 @ East Ridge | 17 |
Freedom had a senior duo take command as Riccardo Palombarini went 7 for 10 on his way to 22 points in addition to seven rebounds and five steals and Adam Negede went 8 of 14 en route to 18 points. Palombarini's evening made it six games in a row in which he has scored at least ten points. The team also got some help courtesy of Luis Guzman, who posted 13 points and eight boards.
Freedom smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 19 offensive rebounds. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least eight offensive boards in nine consecutive contests.
Meanwhile, Tavares was just a bucket shy of victory on Saturday and fell 46-45 to Eagle's View.
Freedom will have to keep a close watch on IZAYIA WILLIAMS and DYLAN CAMPBELL, a pair of players who had a big impact on Tavares' prior game. WILLIAMS dropped a double-double on 11 points and 12 boards, while CAMPBELL went 5 of 12 on his way to 12 points and seven boards. WILLIAMS is becoming a predictor of Tavares' success: when he posts at least eight rebounds the team is 3-1 (and 2-6 when he doesn't). The team also got some help courtesy of LANDON SAMUEL, who had eight points.
Freedom moved to 6-6 with that win, which also ended their three-game losing streak. As for Tavares, they have been struggling recently as they've lost four of their last five matches, which put a noticeable dent in their 5-7 record this season.
Rebounding is likely to be a big factor in this contest: Freedom has been smashing the glass this season, having averaged 38 rebounds per game. However, it's not like Tavares struggles in that department as they've been averaging 27.1 rebounds. With both teams battling to corral missed shots, we'll see if one team can grab an edge.
Freedom came up short against Tavares in their previous matchup back in December of 2024, falling 68-57. Can Freedom avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
