The Wake Prep Academy Guardians will take on the Franklin Academy Patriots at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Wake Prep Academy is coming into the matchup hot, having won their last 11 games.
Wake Prep Academy is headed into the game after thoroughly thrashing NCSSM: Durham: they outscored them in every quarter. Given that consistent dominance, it should come as no surprise that Wake Prep Academy blew NCSSM: Durham out of the water with a 45-17 final score. The Guardians have made a habit of sweeping their opponents off the court, having now won 11 contests by 20 points or more this season.
Zanasha Bolden
| 02/07/25 vs NCSSM: Durham | 8 |
| 02/04/25 @ Falls Lake | 9 |
| 01/31/25 vs East Wake Academy | 4 |
| 01/29/25 @ Research Triangle | 5 |
| 01/27/25 @ East Wake Academy | 4 |
| + 12 more games |
Wake Prep Academy's success was spearheaded by the efforts of Journey Johnson, who went 7 for 14 to rack up 15 points and five steals, and Zanasha Bolden, who posted nine points in addition to eight steals and five boards. Bolden is crushing it when it comes to steals: she's grabbed at least two every time she's taken the court this season. Beanie Ballman was another key player, putting up nine points and three steals.
Wake Prep Academy smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 12 offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least eight offensive rebounds in 13 consecutive matches.
Meanwhile, Franklin Academy strolled past Research Triangle with points to spare on Friday, taking the game 49-32.
Franklin Academy found their leader in freshman Bella DeLiso, who went 7 of 12 en route to 14 points along with six rebounds and four steals. The dominant performance gave DeLiso a new career-high in points. Another player making a difference was Elizabeth Brown, who dropped a double-double on 11 points and ten boards.
Wake Prep Academy's victory was their fifth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 17-3. Those victories came thanks in part to their defensive effort, having only surrendered 28.2 points over those games. As for Franklin Academy, the win got them back to even at 10-10.
Rebounding is likely to be a big factor in this contest: Wake Prep Academy has been crashing the boards this season, having averaged 30.4 rebounds per game. However, it's not like Franklin Academy struggles in that department as they've been averaging 37.3 boards. With both teams battling to corral missed shots, we'll see if one team can grab an edge.
Everything went Wake Prep Academy's way against Franklin Academy in their previous meeting back in January, as Wake Prep Academy made off with a 57-35 victory. Does Wake Prep Academy have another victory up their sleeve, or will Franklin Academy turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
