Basketball Recap: Heritage Takes Loss Despite Strong Performances from Oscar Joseph and Oryan Woolstan

Heritage lost against Okeechobee back in December of 2024 and unfortunately they wound up with the same result on Thursday. The Heritage Panthers took a 45-30 bruising from the Okeechobee Brahmans. While losing is never fun, the Panthers can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Florida basketball rankings (they are ranked 597th, while the Brahmans are ranked 250th).

Despite the loss, Heritage had strong showings from ORyan Woolstan, who dropped a double-double on ten points and 12 rebounds, and Oscar Joseph, who posted six points and 13 boards. Woolstan is on a roll when it comes to boards, as he's now pulled down eight or more in the last eight games he's played.

Even though they lost, Heritage smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 22 offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least 12 offensive rebounds in eight consecutive matchups.

Okeechobee's success was the result of a balanced attack that saw several players step up, but James Jasper led the charge by going 7 for 14 en route to 19 points. Jasper continues to improve, besting his previous point total in each of the last three games he's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Wyatt Phillips, who scored four points along with seven steals and six rebounds.

Heritage's defeat dropped their record down to 2-11. As for Okeechobee, the win snapped their losing streak at three games and leaves them with a 9-5 record.

Heritage wasted no time getting back out on the court and has already played their next contest, a 74-29 loss against Melbourne on the 10th. Okeechobee has also already played their next game, a 48-24 victory against Moore Haven on the 10th.