After flying high against the ABF Academy Cowboys last Thursday, the IMG Academy Blue Ascenders came back down to earth. IMG Academy Blue took a 83-72 hit to the loss column at the hands of Mainland on Saturday. While losing is never fun, IMG Academy Blue can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Florida basketball rankings (they are ranked 223rd, while Mainland is ranked 54th).
Mainland's win was a true team effort, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Kade Manley, who went 7 for 10 from beyond the arc en route to 27 points and 1 assist. As a matter of fact, that's the most points Manley has scored all season. The team also got some help courtesy of Nathan Kirk, who scored 22 points.
IMG Academy Blue's loss dropped their record down to 8-10. As for Mainland, the win makes it two in a row for them and bumps their season record up to 12-4.
IMG Academy Blue will head out on the road to face off against Bell Creek Academy at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. As for Mainland, Mainland and Melbourne will face off at 7:00 p.m. on January 18th without much rest after finishing up games yesterday. Melbourne is looking to tack on another W to their three-game streak on the road.
