The Cottonwood varsity basketball team from Salt Lake City, UT, will face American Leadership Academy from Spanish Fork, UT, in a neutral tournament game on Friday, December 27, at 1:00 PM.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: Utah High School Basketball
Who: American Leadership Academy vs Cottonwood
When: Friday, December 27, 2024
Time: 1:00. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here
Game Preview: American Leadership Academy vs Cottonwood
The 2024-2025 Utah high school basketball season has showcased stellar performances from teams across the state, with American Leadership Academy (ALA) and Cottonwood High School emerging as standout competitors. Both teams have demonstrated exceptional skill, but they differ in their statistical strengths and playing styles. Here’s a closer look at their rankings, records, and team dynamics.
Season Records & Rankings
- American Leadership Academy
- Overall Record: 9-1
- Home Record: 4-1
- Away Record: 5-0
- Win Percentage: 90%
- Points For (PF): 738
- Points Against (PA): 380
- Class Ranking (State): 53
- Cottonwood High School
- Overall Record: 8-3
- Region Record: 4-0
- Home Record: 3-2
- Away Record: 2-1
- Neutral Record: 3-0
- Win Percentage: 72.7%
- Region Win Percentage: 100%
- Points For (PF): 745
- Points Against (PA): 680
- Class Ranking (State): 22
Scoring and Performance Trends
American Leadership Academy
ALA is a high-scoring team with a balanced offense and solid defense. Averaging 73.8 points per game, they dominate early in games, scoring 21.1 points on average in the first quarter. Their scoring tends to taper off in the fourth quarter, suggesting potential fatigue or strategic conservatism when leading.
Cottonwood
Cottonwood averages 67.7 points per game, with consistent scoring across all quarters. They tend to close games strong, averaging 17 points in the fourth quarter. This resilience indicates their ability to stay competitive, especially in tight contests.
Statistical Comparisons
| Category | ALA | Cottonwood |
|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 73.8 | 67.7 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 35.7 | 26.8 |
| Assists Per Game | 16.6 | 15.9 |
| Steals Per Game | 11.9 | 6.1 |
| Blocks Per Game | 1.7 | 3.7 |
ALA’s dominance in rebounds and steals underscores their aggressive, fast-paced play style. Conversely, Cottonwood’s edge in blocks points to a strong interior defense, anchored by standout shot blockers.
Key Players
- American Leadership Academy
- #20 Jaxon Hunter: Leads the team with 15.2 points per game, showcasing scoring versatility.
- #23 Kannon Huntsman: Averages 9.9 rebounds per game, dominating the boards.
- #4 Kobe Ross: Facilitates the offense with 9.2 assists per game.
- Cottonwood
- #4 John Rosevear: An offensive powerhouse, averaging 21.7 points per game.
- #5 Bo Smith: Excels in rebounding, with 7.4 per game.
- #11 Luke Park: A dual-threat contributor, averaging 8.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game.
Strengths and Challenges
American Leadership Academy
- Strengths: Rebounding and defensive pressure are key to their success, as shown by their high steals and rebound averages.
- Challenges: A drop in fourth-quarter scoring might leave them vulnerable in close games.
Cottonwood
- Strengths: A balanced scoring approach and strong interior defense make them a formidable opponent.
- Challenges: Lower averages in rebounds and steals may hurt them against teams with aggressive, fast-paced offenses like ALA.
Looking Ahead
With both teams performing at high levels, a matchup between American Leadership Academy and Cottonwood would be a clash of contrasting styles. ALA’s defensive tenacity and rebounding could challenge Cottonwood’s offensive consistency and shot-blocking prowess. Fans can expect a thrilling, strategic battle when these two powerhouses meet on the court.
