West Florida Baptist Academy is on a four-game streak of home wins, while Central Christian is on a six-game streak of away wins: one of those streaks is about to end. The West Florida Baptist Academy Conquerors will challenge the Central Christian Saints at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. West Florida Baptist Academy is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 61.1 points per game this season.
West Florida Baptist Academy is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Saturday. They beat Santa Rosa Christian by the very same score they won with in their prior game: 79-33. Given the Conquerors' advantage in MaxPreps' Florida basketball rankings (they are ranked 161st, while Santa Rosa Christian are ranked 361st), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.
Bryse Burkett
| 02/15/25 vs Santa Rosa Christian | 9 |
| 02/14/25 vs Covenant Christian | 5 |
| 02/11/25 @ Gulf Pointe Latin | 5 |
| 02/06/25 @ East Hill Christian | 7 |
| 02/04/25 vs Gulf Pointe Latin | 12 |
| + 10 more games |
West Florida Baptist Academy found their leader in sophomore Bryse Burkett, who shot 4-for-6 from deep and almost dropped a double-double with 24 points and nine steals. Burkett is on a roll when it comes to steals, as she's now grabbed two or more in each of the last 15 games she's played. Another player making a difference was Olivia Pearce, who dropped a double-double with 13 points and 15 boards.
West Florida Baptist Academy smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 18 offensive rebounds. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least nine offensive boards in 15 consecutive matchups.
Meanwhile, Central Christian was within striking distance but couldn't close the gap on Saturday as they fell 42-37 to Pensacola Christian Academy.
West Florida Baptist Academy will need to focus on slowing down Hayes Turner, one of several Central Christian players who made an impact when they last played. She almost dropped a double-double with nine points and ten rebounds. The team also got some help courtesy of Marissa Lagarrigue, who posted eight points along with eight boards and three steals.
West Florida Baptist Academy has been performing incredibly well recently as they've won 13 of their last 14 games. That's provided a nice bump to their 23-5 record this season. They've dominated over that stretch too, winning by an average of 36.2 points. Central Christian's loss ended a three-game streak of wins at home and dropped them to 21-3.
Friday's contest will pit two of the most dominant guards against one another: Burkett and Ayden Lippincott. Burkett has been dynamite this season: she has averaged 17.8 points, 4.1 steals, and 3.1 assists. For her part, Lippincott has averaged 13.6 points, 3.4 steals, and 3.3 assists.
Everything came up roses for West Florida Baptist Academy against Central Christian in their previous meeting back in November of 2024, as the team secured a 72-44 win. Will West Florida Baptist Academy repeat their success, or does Central Christian have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
