The Franklin Academy Panthers lost against the New Smyrna Beach Barracudas back in February of 2023, and unfortunately they wound up with the same result on Thursday. Franklin Academy fell 56-46 to the Barracudas. While losing is never fun, Franklin Academy can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Florida basketball rankings (they are ranked 557th, while the Barracudas are ranked 212th).
Despite the loss, Franklin Academy saw an underclassman step up: Robert Guishard dropped a double-double on 14 points and 11 rebounds. Guishard hasn't dropped below three blocks for three straight games. Another player making a difference was Japitpaul Makkar, who scored nine points.
Franklin Academy has traveled a rocky road recently having lost four of their last five matchups, which put a noticeable dent in their 6-7 record this season. As for New Smyrna Beach, they have been performing incredibly well recently as they've won seven of their last eight contests, which provided a nice bump to their 18-5 record this season.
Franklin Academy will square off against the Chiefs at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Cardinal Gibbons knows how to get points on the board -- the team has finished with flashy point totals in its past 13 games -- so hopefully the Panthers like a good challenge. As for New Smyrna Beach, they won't have much time to rest: their next contest is against the Hawks at 7:00 p.m. on February 2nd. Seminole Ridge has now lost 14 straight, and the team is hunting for their first win since December 8.
