Basketball Recap: J.L. Mann Comes Up Short

J.L. Mann was not able to break out of their rough patch on Friday as the team picked up their eighth straight loss. The matchup between them and the Westwood Redhawks didn't end well, with the J.L. Mann Patriots falling 77-60. While losing is never fun, the Patriots can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' South Carolina basketball rankings (they are ranked 147th, while the Redhawks are ranked seventh).

When it comes to explaining why J.L. Mann lost, don't look at Andrew Johnson. Despite the final result, he dropped a double-double on 18 points and 11 rebounds. Johnson has been hot recently, having also posted two or more blocks the last three times he's played. Dontez Walker was another key player, going 9 for 16 on his way to 21 points in addition to six boards and three blocks.

Patriots

Offensive Rebounds

12/29/23 vs Hillcrest	21
12/27/24 vs Westwood	20
12/19/24 vs Woodmont	17
01/03/24 @ Boiling Springs	17
12/01/23 vs Wren	17

Even though they lost, J.L. Mann smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 20 offensive boards. That's the most offensive rebounds they've posted since back in December of 2023.

J.L. Mann's defeat dropped their record down to 3-9. As for Westwood, the win keeps them at an undefeated 11-0.

J.L. Mann and Richland Northeast will face off at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday without much rest having both just played. J.L. Mann knows how to get points on the board -- the team has finished with 55 points or more in their past four contests -- so hopefully Richland Northeast likes a good challenge. As for Westwood, they and South Aiken will face off at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday without much rest having both just played. South Aiken is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 55.1 points per game this season.