Basketball Recap: Julia Smith Key Part of a Team Effort in Cougars Win

Countryside won the last time they faced Berkeley Prep and things went their way on Saturday too. The Countryside Cougars enjoyed a cozy 45-31 win over the Berkeley Prep Buccaneers. Given the Cougars' advantage in MaxPreps' Florida basketball rankings (they are ranked 124th, while the Buccaneers are ranked 385th), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.

Countryside got their victory on the backs of several key players, but it was Julia Smith out in front who posted ten points in addition to seven assists and six boards. That's the most assists Smith has posted since back in December of 2023. The team also got some help courtesy of Alyssa Wright, who went 6 of 10 on her way to 13 points.

Berkeley Prep's defeat came despite a true team effort from the offense, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Gabriella Nocco, who had eight points and seven rebounds. Another player making a difference was Lila Grace Strain, who put up ten points.

Countryside has been performing well recently as they've won four of their last five matches, which provided a nice bump to their 10-3 record this season. The wins came thanks to their defensive effort, having only surrendered 28.8 points per game. As for Berkeley Prep, they have been struggling recently as they've lost four of their last five contests, which put a noticeable dent in their 2-5 record this season.

Countryside didn't take long to hit the court again: they've already played their next game, a 54-52 win against Academy of the Holy Names on the 30th. As for Berkeley Prep, they also wasted no time getting back out on the court and have already played their next match, a 51-48 loss against Wiregrass Ranch on the 30th.