Pearl-Cohn is 5-0 against LEAD Academy since January of 2022, and they'll have a chance to extend that success on Friday. The Pearl-Cohn Firebirds will head out on the road to challenge the LEAD Academy Panthers at 7:30 p.m. Pearl-Cohn is coming into the game on a three-game losing streak.
Pearl-Cohn suffered their biggest loss since December 12, 2023 last Tuesday. They had to suffer through a rough 72-39 loss at the hands of Beech. While losing is never fun, Pearl-Cohn can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Tennessee basketball rankings (they are ranked 225th, while Beech is ranked 49th).
Meanwhile, LEAD Academy earned a 60-50 victory over Riverdale on Saturday.
Anthony Petway was his usual excellent self, scoring 27 points along with eight rebounds and three steals. That's the first time this season that he pulled down eight or more rebounds. Another player making a difference was Darnell Seay, who scored 11 points along with eight rebounds.
Pearl-Cohn has been struggling recently, as they've lost four of their last five matchups, which put a noticeable dent in their 6-9 record this season. As for LEAD Academy, their victory bumped their record up to 12-9.
Everything came up roses for Pearl-Cohn against LEAD Academy when the teams last played back in February of 2023 as the team secured a 80-53 win. With Pearl-Cohn ahead 49-19 at the half, the matchup was all but over already.
