Basketball Recap: Verbum Dei Jesuit Find Success

Verbum Dei Jesuit lost to Loyola back in December of 2019, but they didn't allow them the same satisfaction on Monday. The Verbum Dei Jesuit Eagles pulled ahead with a 56-55 photo finish over the Loyola Cubs. The win was all the more spectacular given the Eagles' disadvantage in MaxPreps' California basketball rankings (they are ranked 339th, while the Cubs are ranked 90th).

Verbum Dei Jesuit was led to victory by Jaythan Pinckney and Ryan Figueroa. Pinckney dropped a double-double on 14 points and 14 boards, while Figueroa posted 17 points. Pinckney is on a roll when it comes to rebounds, as he's now pulled down 11 or more in the last seven games he's played. Another player making a difference was Harper Whitman, who put up eight points.

Verbum Dei Jesuit smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 12 offensive rebounds. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least ten offensive boards in six consecutive contests.

Verbum Dei Jesuit is on a roll lately: they've won seven of their last eight matches, which provided a nice bump to their 12-8 record this season. The wins came thanks to their offensive performance across that stretch, as they averaged 58.9 points per game. As for Loyola, they are on a three-game losing streak that has dropped them down to 16-6.

Both squads are looking forward to the support of their home crowds in their upcoming games. Verbum Dei Jesuit will square off against La Salle at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Verbum Dei Jesuit knows how to get points on the board -- the team has finished with 55 points or more in their past six games -- so hopefully La Salle likes a good challenge. As for Loyola, they will host Harvard-Westlake at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Harvard-Westlake will roll in looking for their 12th straight victory, something Loyola surely won't give up without a fight.