As the 2024-2025 high school basketball season unfolds in Washington, DC, Anacostia and Jackson-Reed offer a striking contrast in performance, talent, and results. Both teams represent different stories of triumph and struggle in the city’s competitive basketball scene.

Anacostia’s Struggles: A Season to Forget

For the Anacostia High School basketball team, this season has been filled with disappointment. The team has yet to secure a win, compiling a dismal 0-13 record overall, with an equally troubling 0-12 record in league play. In the competitive DC Division, Anacostia has faced a difficult path, ending most games with wide margins of defeat.

The team’s scoring averages are also concerning. Anacostia averages just 32.4 points per game, with their best quarter being the fourth, where they manage 7.2 points per game. This scoring deficiency has plagued them throughout the season. They’ve been outscored by their opponents in every match, with a points-for (PF) total of 421 against a staggering points-against (PA) of 875.

Anacostia’s lack of depth has been evident across the board, as they struggle in key statistical categories:

• Points Per Game: 32.4
• Rebounds Per Game: 25.7
• Assists Per Game: 14.3
• Steals Per Game: 7.3
• Blocks Per Game: 1.5

Individually, the team’s standout performer has been Josiah Massaquoi. He leads Anacostia in both points per game (21.5) and rebounds (7.8), showing that even in a tough season, there are glimpses of individual excellence. However, despite his efforts, the team has struggled to compete against some of the district’s top teams.

Jackson-Reed: Dominance and Perfection

In stark contrast, Jackson-Reed has been a model of success and consistency this season. With a 17-6 overall record and a perfect 10-0 record in league play, they stand as one of the top teams in the DC Division. The team’s offensive production is one of the highest in the area, averaging an impressive 66.7 points per game, with their highest-scoring quarter being the second (15.6 points per game).

The team’s scoring depth has been a key factor in their success, with multiple players stepping up to contribute. Jackson-Reed is led by standout players like Pete Newman, who leads the team in assists (4.3) and steals (1.7), and Diego Joy, who leads the team in blocks (0.5). Their offensive juggernaut has allowed them to dominate their competition, as they’ve managed to consistently outscore opponents by significant margins.

Jackson-Reed has proven their strength against common opponents, going 10-0 in those matchups, while Anacostia has failed to secure a win in their 11 games against the same teams. These head-to-head results highlight the wide disparity between the two programs.

Common Opponents: A Tale of Two Seasons

When comparing how Anacostia and Jackson-Reed fared against common opponents, the difference is glaring. Jackson-Reed won every game against mutual foes, including dominant victories over teams like Banneker, Ballou, Eastern, and Bell. On the other hand, Anacostia struggled to keep up with the same teams, suffering heavy losses such as a 71-35 defeat to Banneker and a 52-23 loss to Ballou.

This pattern of results underscores the disparity in team strength, coaching, and overall talent between the two schools.

Record Breakdown: The Numbers Don’t Lie

Looking at the full breakdown of their records this season reveals the tough reality for Anacostia and the continued success of Jackson-Reed:

• Anacostia: 0-13 overall, 0-12 in league play, with a tough road ahead.
• Jackson-Reed: 17-6 overall, 10-0 in league play, and an undefeated league record that is a testament to their dominance.

Anacostia’s struggles have extended to both in-state and out-of-state games, while Jackson-Reed has flourished in these matchups. Notably, Jackson-Reed’s 13-1 record in-state and their strong performance against out-of-state teams (4-5) highlight the strength of their program.

Looking Ahead

As the season progresses, Anacostia has a lot of work to do to turn their fortunes around. Their lack of wins, combined with a wide disparity in scoring and defensive numbers, suggests that significant improvements will be necessary to compete at a higher level. However, with players like Josiah Massaquoi leading the charge, there’s hope for a future turnaround.

For Jackson-Reed, the season continues to be one of excellence. With their perfect league record and dominant performances across the board, they remain a force to be reckoned with in the DC Division and will likely be a strong contender for post-season success.

As the basketball season winds down, all eyes will be on how these two teams finish out their respective campaigns – one fighting for respectability and the other pushing for a championship.