The Whitefield Academy Lions proved they can win big last Tuesday (they won by 32) but on Thursday they proved they can win the close ones too. They had just enough and edged The Daniel Academy out 48-45. Given Whitefield Academy's advantage in MaxPreps' Missouri basketball rankings (they are ranked 182nd, while The Daniel Academy is ranked 420th), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.
The Daniel Academy lost despite a true team effort on the offense, the best among them being Jesse Yap, who dropped a double-double on 18 points and 11 rebounds. It was the first time this season that Yap pulled down eight or more rebounds. Another player making a difference was Chris W, who dropped a double-double on 13 points and 14 rebounds.
The Daniel Academy struggled to work together and finished the game with only two assists. That's the fewest assists they've managed all season.
Whitefield Academy has been performing well recently as they've won five of their last six matches, which provided a nice bump to their 7-3 record this season. As for The Daniel Academy, they are on a three-game losing streak that has dropped them down to 5-7.
Whitefield Academy will head out on the road to square off against Shawnee Mission Christian at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Whitefield Academy will roll in looking for their fourth straight win, something Shawnee Mission Christian surely won't give up without a fight. As for The Daniel Academy, they will look to defend their home court on Monday against Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy at 7:45 p.m. The Daniel Academy is facing Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy at the right time seeing as Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy is stuck on a four-game losing streak.
