Lemon Bay was the 47-45 winner over First Baptist Academy when they last played one another back in January of 2024, but their luck changed this time around. The Lemon Bay Manta Rays fell 45-38 to the First Baptist Academy Lions on Tuesday. While losing is never fun, the Manta Rays can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Florida basketball rankings (they are ranked 207th, while the Lions are ranked 26th).
| 01/14/25 @ First Baptist Academy | 4 |
| 01/10/25 @ Bishop Verot | 5 |
| 01/09/25 @ North Port | 3 |
| 01/07/25 @ Port Charlotte | 3 |
| 01/03/25 vs Westminster Christian | 5 |
Lemon Bay's defeat came despite a true team effort from the offense, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Maya Collins, who posted ten points in addition to five assists and four steals. Collins is on a roll when it comes to steals, as she's now grabbed two or more in the last 40 games she's played dating back to last season. The team also got some help courtesy of Myah Dickerson, who scored eight points and 15 rebounds.
Even though they lost, Lemon Bay smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with ten offensive rebounds. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least eight offensive boards in 19 consecutive matches dating back to last season.
Multiple players turned in solid performances to lead First Baptist Academy to victory, but perhaps none more so than Laila Stewart, who went 6 for 11 en route to 16 points. Another player making a difference was Zara Leilani Stewart, who put up nine points along with six boards and three steals.
Lemon Bay has traveled a rocky road recently having lost three of their last four games, which put a noticeable dent in their 6-8 record this season. As for First Baptist Academy, they pushed their record up to 14-1 with the win, which was their fifth straight at home.
Lemon Bay will head out to take on Venice at 7:00 p.m. on Monday. As for First Baptist Academy, they will be playing at home against Oasis at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday. Oasis will roll in looking for their eighth straight victory, something First Baptist Academy surely won't give up without a fight.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
