Basketball Game Preview: Orlando Science Orcas vs. Brevard HEAT Firehawks

The Orlando Science Orcas will challenge the Brevard HEAT Firehawks at 6:15 p.m. on Thursday. The two teams have had a bumpy ride up to this point with five consecutive losses for Orlando Science and three for Brevard HEAT.

Back in December of 2024, Orlando Science might have been a little too into the holiday spirit, gifting Ridgeview Global Studies Academy an easy 65-43 victory.

The loss doesn't tell the whole story though, as several players had good games. One of the most active was Myles Gipson, who went 6 for 7 on his way to 12 points. That's the most points he has posted since back in January of 2024. Christian Harris was another key player, putting up ten points.

Meanwhile, Brevard HEAT suffered their biggest defeat since November 22, 2024 on Tuesday. They were dealt a 78-40 loss at the hands of City of Life Christian Academy. The Firehawks were in a tough position after the first half, with the score already sitting at 48-18.

Like Orlando Science, Brevard HEAT lost despite seeing results from several players. Riley Ellis led the charge by posting 15 points. That was a full 37.5% of Brevard HEAT's points, marking the third time in a row he's posted more than a third of the team's points. The team also got some help courtesy of Ryan Younger, who had eight points.

Orlando Science's defeat dropped their record down to 3-9. As for Brevard HEAT, their loss dropped their record down to 2-9.

Keep an eye on the arc in Thursday's match: Orlando Science has been dynamite from deep this season, having made 39.7% of their three-pointers per game. It's a different story for Brevard HEAT, though, as they've only made 29.6% of their three-pointers this season. Given Orlando Science's sizable advantage in that area, Brevard HEAT will need to find a way to close that gap. Check MaxPreps after the match for a full breakdown of the game, commentary, and other basketball content.