The Bartow Yellow Jackets were the 52-43 winner over the McKeel Academy Wildcats when they last played one another back in January, but their luck changed this time around. Bartow took a 43-32 hit to the loss column at the hands of McKeel Academy on Monday. Bartow found out winning isn't easy when you don't work as a unit and post 11 fewer assists than your opponent.
Bartow's defeat came despite a true team effort from the offense, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Zakiya Zanders, who almost dropped a triple-double on 9 points, 9 rebounds, and 10 steals. Zanders scored a full 28.1% of Bartow's points, the second time in a row she's earned more than a third of the team's points. The team also got some help courtesy of Jj West, who scored 14 points along with 5 rebounds.
McKeel Academy got their win on the backs of several key players, but it was Nicaria McHellon out in front who scored 16 points along with 6 rebounds and 3 steals. The contest was McHellon's fourth in a row with at least ten points. Malayna Sheffield was another key contributor, dropping a double-double on 16 rebounds and 10 blocks.
Bartow's loss dropped their record down to 1-1. As for McKeel Academy, the victory got them back to even at 2-2.
Both teams will have to hit the road in their upcoming games. Bartow will face off against Victory Christian Academy at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Hopefully Victory Christian Academy focused on turnovers this week since the team gave up 16 on Monday. As for McKeel Academy, they will head out on the road to face off against Discovery at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
