The Beaver (PA) varsity basketball team is set to play a neutral non-conference game against Neighborhood Academy (Pittsburgh, PA) today at 11 a.m.

Game Details:

• Matchup: Neighborhood Academy vs. Beaver
• Date: Saturday, January 4, 2025
• Time: 11:00 a.m.
• Live stream: Watch Here
• Location: Burgettstown

Team Performance Overview: Neighborhood Academy vs. Beaver

As the 2024-2025 high school basketball season continues, two teams stand out in the standings—Neighborhood Academy and Beaver. Both have had impressive performances, but there are significant differences in their records and stats that highlight their varying strengths and challenges.

Neighborhood Academy: Dominance in Early Season

Neighborhood Academy (24-25) has started the season in spectacular fashion, maintaining an undefeated record of 9-0. With a perfect 1.000 win percentage, they have established themselves as a formidable force in their conference and overall. In their only conference game so far, they secured a 1-0 record, but it’s their non-league performance that really shines, with a flawless 7-0 record in these matchups.

The team has performed exceptionally well at home (5-0), away (1-0), and in neutral-site games (3-0), showing versatility and dominance across various environments. Their offensive output has been impressive, averaging 69.3 points per game (PPG), with a balanced attack that consistently builds throughout the game—11.3 points in the first quarter, 17.0 in both the second and third quarters, and finishing strong with 17.3 points in the fourth.

On the defensive side, Neighborhood Academy has allowed an average of 39.4 points per game, for a point differential of +269. With their powerful offensive and defensive performances, they look poised to remain one of the top contenders in their conference and beyond.

Beaver: Solid Performances but Room for Improvement

Beaver (24-25) has had a solid season, with a 7-3 record overall, although they have struggled in their conference, holding a 0-1 record. Much of their success has come from non-league games, where they are 6-2. Their home record is an impressive 5-0, demonstrating their strong home court advantage, while they have had mixed results on the road (2-1) and in neutral games (0-2).

Beaver averages 62.9 points per game, which is a respectable figure but still a bit lower than Neighborhood Academy’s offensive output. They are scoring at a consistent rate, though, which helps them stay competitive in most matchups.

Defensively, Beaver has allowed 490 points in total, resulting in an average of 49.0 points per game. Their point differential of +139 reflects a more modest advantage compared to Neighborhood Academy’s dominant performance.

Head-to-Head and Common Opponents

Both teams have played against common opponents so far this season. Neighborhood Academy has not faced any common opponents as of yet, while Beaver played and defeated Northgate, 60-50, on December 13, 2024. The game between Beaver and Northgate provided valuable insights into Beaver’s ability to win tight contests.

In terms of head-to-head, the two teams have yet to face each other in this season’s competition, though both are setting their sights on the future matchup.

Scoring Breakdown: Neighborhood Academy vs. Beaver

Neighborhood Academy:

• Average Points Per Game: 69.3
• Q1: 11.3 | Q2: 17.0 | Q3: 17.0 | Q4: 17.3

Beaver:

• Average Points Per Game: 62.9

Neighborhood Academy has shown a stronger overall offensive output, especially with their balanced scoring across all four quarters. Beaver, while still productive, may need to increase their scoring to compete with top-tier teams like Neighborhood Academy.

Looking Ahead

Neighborhood Academy, with their undefeated record, is clearly the more dominant team thus far. However, Beaver’s strong performances, particularly at home, suggest they have the potential to challenge top teams. With both teams continuing to navigate the season, future games—especially those involving common opponents—will be pivotal in determining how the remainder of the season unfolds for both squads.

As the competition intensifies, both teams will need to maintain their strengths and adjust to any weaknesses in order to remain competitive in their respective conferences and to make a run at state championships. Neighborhood Academy will look to maintain their perfection, while Beaver will aim to bounce back in conference play and solidify their position as one of the league’s top teams.