Basketball Recap: Americas Takes Loss Despite Strong Efforts from AMIEL MORALES and CHRISTIAN BACA

Americas was the 55-48 winner over Franklin when they last played one another back in February, but their luck changed this time around. The Americas Trail Blazers took a 56-45 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Franklin Cougars on Saturday. The Trail Blazers have now taken an 'L' in back-to-back games.

CHRISTIAN BACA and AMIEL MORALES certainly did their best on Saturday to avoid the loss. BACA posted eight points and ten rebounds, while MORALES went 5 of 9 on his way to 10 points. That's the most points MORALES has posted since back in November. The team also got some help courtesy of MATT MAGDALENO, who put up four points and four steals.

Even though they lost, Americas smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 19 offensive boards. That's a new trend for them: they were averaging 8.6 offensive rebounds per game earlier this season, but in their last 15 matches they've averaged 8.1.

Americas' loss dropped their record down to 10-10. As for Franklin, they have been performing well recently as they've won three of their last four games, which provided a nice bump to their 12-9 record this season.

Both teams will have to hit the road in their upcoming games. Americas will venture away from home to challenge Horizon at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Americas is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 51.6 points per game this season. As for Franklin, they will face off against Eastlake at 6:00 p.m. on Friday.