Basketball Recap: Tavares Takes a Loss

Tavares played a tough game on Thursday in which they were outscored in every quarter. They lost 57-37 to the DeLand Bulldogs. While losing is never fun, Tavares can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Florida basketball rankings (they are ranked 401st, while DeLand is ranked 144th).

Despite the loss, Tavares still got an impressive performance from IZAYIA WILLIAMS, who dropped a double-double on 21 points and 12 boards. WILLIAMS is becoming a predictor of Tavares' success: when he posts at least eight rebounds the team is 2-1 (and 2-3 when he doesn't). Another player making a difference was STEVEN KING, who posted eight points.

Justin Suarez was his usual excellent self, going 7 of 15 on his way to 23 points and five steals for DeLand. The match was Suarez's third in a row with at least ten points. The team also got some help courtesy of Stephon Ross, who had seven points and 11 rebounds.

Bulldogs

Previous 5 Games

12/19/24 @ DeLand	37-57
12/12/24 @ Freedom	68-57
12/10/24 vs Crescent City	63-34
12/03/24 @ Celebration	43-39
11/30/24 vs North Marion	34-72

With the defeat, Tavares broke their three-game winning streak and moved their record to 4-4. As for DeLand, the win was the third in a row for them, bringing their record for this year to 6-2.

Tavares wasted no time getting back out on the court and has already played their next contest, a 45-42 loss against Vero Beach on the 20th. As for DeLand, they also didn't take long to hit the court again: they've already played their next game, a 70-67 victory against Oakleaf on the 20th.