The Bell Creek Academy Panthers pushed their score all the way to 71 on Friday, but even that wasn't enough to win. They took a 89-71 bruising from Westminster Academy. While losing is never fun, Bell Creek Academy can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Florida basketball rankings (they are ranked 162nd, while Westminster Academy is ranked seventh).
Bell Creek Academy's defeat came despite a true team effort from the offense, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Caleb Sanders, who dropped a double-double on 20 points and 12 rebounds. Sanders has been hot recently, having posted two or more steals the last seven times he's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Jermal Jones, who scored 21 points along with eight rebounds and five steals.
Westminster Academy's win was the result of several impressive offensive performances. One of the most notable came from Alex Constanza, who dropped a triple-double on 20 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists. Constanza is on a roll when it comes to points, as he's now scored 15 or more in the last six games he's played. Another player making a difference was Jeremiah Police, who scored 20 points along with nine assists and seven rebounds.
Bell Creek Academy has not been sharp recently, as they've lost four of their last five matches, which put a noticeable dent in their 10-10 record this season. As for Westminster Academy, they have been performing well recently as they've won four of their last five matches, which provided a nice bump to their 12-5 record this season.
Bell Creek Academy will be playing at home against Specially Fit Academy at 7:30 p.m. on Monday. Specially Fit Academy is coming into the contest on a four-game losing streak. Westminster Academy won't have much time to rest: their next match is against Orlando Christian Prep at 5:00 p.m. on January 20th. That game will pit two of the most dominant guards against one another: Isaiah Brown and Constanza.
