Keys Gate was not able to break out of their rough patch on Saturday as the team picked up their third straight defeat. Their2025 ended with a 79-62 loss against the Purcell Marian Cavaliers. While losing is never fun, the Knights can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' basketball rankings in their respective home states (they are ranked 145th in Florida, while the Cavaliers are ranked 31st in Ohio).
Essence Deleon
| 12/08/25 vs Coral Shores | 17% |
| 12/09/25 vs Northwestern | 33% |
| 12/19/25 vs Martin County | 33% |
| 12/01/25 vs Central | 50% |
| 12/02/25 vs Schoolhouse Prep | 50% |
Despite the defeat, Keys Gate saw an underclassman step up: sophomore Essence Deleon shot 58% from the field en route to 28 points and six assists. Deleon also set a new season-high mark in three-point shooting accuracy with 60%. Naya Hardisson was another key player, putting up 14 points along with eight assists and five steals.
Keys Gate now has a losing record of 5-6. As for Purcell Marian, the win was the sixth in a row for them, bringing their record up to 7-1.
While Keys Gate had to take the loss, they won't have to wait long to give it another shot: the pair's next game is a rematch scheduled at 11:30 a.m. on Monday.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
