The Priory Panthers struggled with assists on Tuesday (the King's Academy Knights had 11 more) and sadly the final score reflected it. Priory received a tough blow as they fell 65-48 to King's Academy. While losing is never fun, Priory can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' California basketball rankings (they are ranked 674th, while King's Academy is ranked 193rd).
Several Panthers players turned in solid performances, despite ultimately coming up short. Perhaps the best among those players was Teddy Xanthopoulos, who scored ten points along with five rebounds and five blocks. That's the first time this season that Xanthopoulos posted two or more blocks. Another player making a difference was Michael Hildebrandt, who scored 14 points.
King's Academy found their leader in underclassman Xavier Barnett, who scored 18 points along with five rebounds and four steals. Barnett has been hot recently, having posted two or more steals the last six times he's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Caleb Hughey, who scored 12 points along with seven rebounds.
Priory bumped their record down to 7-9 with that defeat, which was their third straight on the road. As for King's Academy, they have been performing well recently as they've won eight of their last ten matches, which provided a nice bump to their 11-4 record this season.
Both squads will have to hit the road in their upcoming games. Priory will face off against Crystal Springs Uplands at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. As for King's Academy, they will head out on the road to square off against Pinewood at 7:00 p.m. on Friday.
