Basketball Game Preview: First Academy Eagles vs. Hernando Christian Academy Lions

The First Academy Eagles will take on the Hernando Christian Academy Lions at 7:30 p.m. on Monday. First Academy is coming into the matchup on a four-game losing streak.

First Academy is headed into the contest out to prove that what happened against Real Life Christian Academy on Friday (when they were outscored in every quarter) was just a minor bump in the road. First Academy came up short against Real Life Christian Academy, falling 51-25. The game marked the Eagles' lowest-scoring match so far this season.

Despite the loss, First Academy saw an underclassman step up: sophomore Rayce Teate posted seven points and four steals. The dominant performance gave Teate a new career-high in steals. Luke Rodriguez also deserves some recognition as he posted his first assist of the season.

Meanwhile, Hernando Christian Academy came into Friday's contest having lost six straight, but that streak is now in the rearview. They came out on top against Academy at the Lakes by a score of 58-51 on Friday.

Hernando Christian Academy's win came from a few key players First Academy will need to keep an eye on. One of the most notable was Jaden Montzka, who scored 26 points. Cedric Jackson, Jr. was another key player, putting up 15 points and six rebounds.

First Academy's defeat dropped their record down to 3-13. As for Hernando Christian Academy, their victory ended a nine-game drought on the road dating back to last season and puts them at 3-10.

Rebounding is likely to be a big factor in this contest: First Academy has been crashing the boards this season, having averaged 36.2 rebounds per game. However, it's not like Hernando Christian Academy struggles in that department as they've been averaging 23.9 boards. With both teams battling to corral missed shots, we'll see if one team can grab an edge.

First Academy ended up a good deal behind Hernando Christian Academy when the teams last played back in December of 2024, losing 57-40. Will First Academy have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check MaxPreps after the match for a full breakdown of the game, commentary, and other basketball content.