The Ascend Leadership (Sanford, NC) varsity basketball team will host a non-conference game against Alpha Academy (Fayetteville, NC) on Friday, December 13, at 6:00 PM.

Here’s what you need to know Basketball:

What: North Carolina High School Basketball
Who: Ascend Leadership vs Alpha Academy
When: Friday, December 13, 2024
Time: 6:00. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch Here

A Closer Look at Alpha Academy vs. Ascend Leadership: Early Season Breakdown

As we near the end of the first part of the season for both teams, Alpha Academy and Ascend Leadership have had contrasting performances. With both teams facing off against common opponents, their overall stats and team performances reveal interesting trends and dynamics for the 2024-2025 season.

Team Performance Overview

Alpha Academy has struggled in the early part of the season, sitting at an 0-3 record overall and a 0-2 conference record. Their most recent loss came in a challenging matchup with Cornerstone Christian Academy, where they fell 64-52. Alpha Academy’s performance has been marked by a lack of consistency, especially in scoring, with the team averaging just 46.7 points per game. Their points per quarter also tell the story of their struggles, averaging just 10 points in the first quarter, with a slight improvement to 18 in the final frame.

Ascend Leadership, on the other hand, has been slightly more successful, with a 2-1 overall record and a 0-0 conference record. Despite a tough loss to Cornerstone Christian Academy (53-34), Ascend Leadership managed to secure a win on their home court in their most recent game. Their overall scoring average of 43.3 points per game is lower than Alpha Academy’s, but their steadiness across quarters, particularly in the second quarter where they average 13.5 points, provides hope for better results as the season progresses.

Key Players to Watch

Both teams have key individuals who are making an impact in their respective categories.

For Alpha Academy, the standout player is Landon Tarazon, who leads the team in both points (10.3 PPG) and rebounds (8.0 RPG). He has shown consistency, especially in the later stages of games, as evidenced by Alpha Academy’s performance in the third and fourth quarters. Additionally, Teon Davis leads the team in assists (4.3 APG) and steals (4.3 SPG), showcasing his ability to drive the offense and create defensive opportunities.

For Ascend Leadership, the team is led by Jalen Patterson, who averages 5.5 points per game. While he is not as high in the stat sheet as Tarazon, Patterson’s overall game has been crucial for keeping the offense moving. Jacob Smith also provides a steady presence with 1.0 blocks per game, helping the team on the defensive side of the ball.

Statistical Comparison

Looking at the overall team stats, there are several notable differences between the two teams:

• Alpha Academy averages 36 rebounds per game, which is significantly higher than Ascend Leadership’s 29. This suggests that Alpha Academy has been able to control the boards, although they still struggle to capitalize on second-chance points.
• Ascend Leadership has been more disruptive defensively, averaging 16 steals per game, compared to Alpha Academy’s 9 steals. This high pressure defense has allowed Ascend Leadership to generate turnovers and transition opportunities.

Common Opponent Performance

Both teams faced Cornerstone Christian Academy, with Alpha Academy losing 64-52 on November 25 and Ascend Leadership falling 53-34 on December 6. While both teams lost, Ascend Leadership’s defeat by a larger margin suggests that they may have struggled more in that matchup. It’s worth noting that the performance against common opponents can provide insight into how each team may fare against similar competition going forward.

Conclusion

While Alpha Academy has yet to find their rhythm this season, their strong rebounding and individual performances from players like Landon Tarazon and Teon Davis indicate that they could turn things around in future matchups. Meanwhile, Ascend Leadership, though off to a solid start with a 2-1 record, needs to find more consistent offensive production to complement their strong defensive play. As the season progresses, both teams will likely refine their strategies, and future matchups will be critical in determining how they position themselves for conference play.