The Harvard-Westlake varsity basketball team (Studio City, CA) will play a neutral tournament game against American Fork (UT) on Friday, December 27, at 6:15 p.m.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: Utah High School Basketball
Who: American Fork vs Harvard-Westlake
When: Friday, December 27, 2024
Time: 6:15 . p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here
Game Preview: American Fork vs Harvard-Westlake
In the world of high school basketball, team performance often varies by region, skill level, and overall competition. As we look at the 2024-2025 season, a detailed comparison between two notable high school basketball teams—American Fork (UT) and Harvard-Westlake (CA)—sheds light on their contrasting paths and success.
Team Records and Overall Performance
American Fork (UT) has faced a challenging start to their season. With a current overall record of 2-7, the team has had a tough time finding consistent victories. Their win percentage stands at just .222, with a point differential of -58. Out of their 10 games, they’ve played 3 at home, 1 on the road, and 5 on neutral courts. American Fork’s difficulty has been especially noticeable when playing away from home, where they hold a 0-1 record. They’ve managed to pick up 1 victory on their home court and another on neutral grounds.
In comparison, Harvard-Westlake (CA) has had an extremely successful season so far. With a 12-1 record, their win percentage is a strong .923, boasting a +311 point differential. The team has dominated both at home (5-0) and on neutral courts (7-1). Their only loss came in an away game, showing their ability to excel, particularly in neutral settings. Harvard-Westlake’s overall record is a testament to their strong roster and coaching staff, positioning them as one of the top contenders nationally.
Scoring Averages
A deeper dive into the teams’ scoring performances reveals the differences in offensive capabilities:
- American Fork averages 50.3 points per game over the course of 9 games. Their scoring is more balanced throughout the game, averaging 13.3 points in the first quarter, 11.0 in the second, 14.4 in the third, and 10.9 in the fourth. Their scoring shows promise, though they have struggled to match the high-scoring performances of other teams.
- Harvard-Westlake, on the other hand, averages a remarkable 71.1 points per game. They tend to heat up in the second half, with 21.0 points in the fourth quarter significantly outpacing their first half. Their overall offensive efficiency is reflected in their higher scoring numbers, with 11.0 points in the first quarter, 6.0 in the second, 11.0 in the third, and the explosive 21.0 in the fourth.
Head-to-Head Record and League Performance
Despite the talent disparity, these two teams have not yet faced each other in the 2024-2025 season, as their head-to-head record stands at 0-0. Both teams, however, have a mix of league and non-league results that reflect their regional competition.
American Fork has yet to play any league games, as their record indicates all losses and a struggle to stay competitive in non-league matchups. Their 1-6 out-of-state record indicates challenges when playing teams outside Utah, though they have managed to secure victories in state matchups.
In contrast, Harvard-Westlake has a perfect 8-0 record in non-league games, reinforcing their dominance in games played outside their own league. Their 10-0 in-state record shows their superiority against other California teams, further solidifying their national reputation.
Conclusion
American Fork and Harvard-Westlake have shown distinct differences in their 2024-2025 basketball seasons. While American Fork has faced growing pains with a low win percentage, Harvard-Westlake’s powerful offense and near-perfect record demonstrate their strength on the national stage. For American Fork, improvement in both scoring consistency and defense will be crucial as they look to recover from their slow start. Meanwhile, Harvard-Westlake remains a powerhouse in the high school basketball scene, poised for further success as the season progresses.
