The Excel Christian Academy Spartans will face off against the Families Instructing Students HomeSchool Hawks at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday.
Excel Christian Academy heads in on the heels of a playoff game on Monday. They took a 69-56 hit to the loss column at the hands of Jordan Christian Prep. The Spartans haven't had much luck with the Seahawks recently, as the team has come up short the last nine times they've met.
Bianca Berbick
| 02/17/25 vs Jordan Christian Prep | 17 |
| 02/13/25 vs Geneva Classical Academy | 14 |
| 02/11/25 @ Potter's House Christian | 11 |
| 02/10/25 vs Jordan Christian Prep | 32 |
Even though the team lost, they still had their share of impressive performances. One of the best came from Bianca Berbick, who dropped a double-double with 23 points and 17 boards. She has been hot recently, having posted 11 or more rebounds the last four times she's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Aysia Mertz, who posted 19 points and seven boards.
Even though they lost, Excel Christian Academy smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 28 offensive rebounds. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least nine offensive boards in seven consecutive matchups.
Meanwhile, Families Instructing Students HomeSchool came tearing into Friday's contest with three straight wins , and they left with even more momentum. They breezed past the Warriors to the tune of 49-7. That looming 49-7 mark stands out as the most commanding margin for the Hawks yet this season.
Excel Christian Academy better keep an eye on Julianna Lamon. She was instrumental in Families Instructing Students HomeSchool's win, going 8-for-9 to rack up 17 points and eight rebounds. The dominant performance also gave Lamon a new career-high in field goal percentage (89%). Melody Lee was another key player, going 5-for-10 on her way to 10 points in addition to seven assists and six boards.
Families Instructing Students HomeSchool's victory bumped their record up to 13-9. As for Excel Christian Academy, their defeat dropped their record down to 13-12.
Rebounding is likely to be a big factor in this contest: Excel Christian Academy has been smashing the glass this season, having averaged 31.2 rebounds per game. However, it's not like Families Instructing Students HomeSchool struggles in that department as they've been averaging 25.5 boards. With both teams battling to corral missed shots, we'll see if one team can grab an edge.
Excel Christian Academy didn't have too much breathing room in their game against Families Instructing Students HomeSchool when the teams last played back in January, but they still walked away with a 40-34 win. The rematch might be a little tougher for Excel Christian Academy since the squad won't have the home-court advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
