The Berthold (ND) varsity basketball team is set to play a home conference game against Westhope/Newburg (Westhope, ND) today at 7:15 PM.

Matchup Details:

• Westhope/Newburg (Co-op) vs. Berthold
• Date: Thursday, January 16, 2025
• Time: 7:15 PM
• Live stream: Watch Here
• Live stream: Watch Here

Westhope/Newburg vs. Berthold: A Comparative Look at the 2024-2025 Season

As we dive deeper into the 2024-2025 basketball season, the rivalry between Westhope/Newburg and Berthold has brought attention to two contrasting teams. Westhope/Newburg has come out on top with an impressive 6-2 overall record, while Berthold continues to face struggles, sitting at 0-5. Let’s break down the performance of these teams across various metrics.

Westhope/Newburg: A Strong Contender

Westhope/Newburg has proven itself to be a dominant force this season with a stellar 6-2 overall record. In district play, the team has a solid 1-1 record, and on the road, they have shown resilience, posting a 4-2 away record. With a win percentage of .750, the team has managed to put up an impressive 634 points, averaging 79.3 points per game (PPG), one of the highest in the region.

Key Players:

• Walker Braaten leads the team with an outstanding 28.4 PPG, making him the key scoring threat.
• Hunter Tolstad is a powerhouse on the boards, averaging 9.6 rebounds per game.
• Will Artz has been a reliable playmaker with 4.6 assists per game.
• Braaten also leads in steals (3.4 per game) and blocks (1.1 per game), showcasing his all-around game.

Their offensive and defensive efforts have been key to their success. In particular, their scoring depth across all four quarters demonstrates their consistency. They put up an average of 20.4 points in the first quarter, followed by 24.1 in the second, showing strong momentum going into the second half. In the third quarter, they average 22.4 points, and despite a slight dip in the fourth quarter (12.4 points), they maintain a solid lead through effective defense and game management.

Berthold: Struggling to Find Momentum

In contrast, Berthold has yet to win a game this season, with a winless 0-5 record. The team’s struggles are evident in both district and non-district matchups, where they have been unable to secure a victory. Berthold’s points per game average is quite low at just 37.6, which is a significant disadvantage in the high-scoring games of today’s basketball landscape.

Team Performance:

• Berthold’s defensive performance has also been lacking. Their inability to stop the opposition from scoring, paired with limited offensive production, has made them a challenging opponent for any team this season.

Team Leaders:

While Berthold has not had a standout scorer like Westhope/Newburg’s Braaten, the team continues to struggle in all facets of the game. Their average stats reveal a tough road ahead for the team as they look for their first win of the season.

Head-to-Head: The Margin of Difference

The common opponents provide an interesting perspective on how each team fares in competition. Westhope/Newburg leads with a 2-1 record against shared opponents, including dominant victories against Kenmare/Bowbells and Velva. Berthold, on the other hand, has gone 0-4 against the same opponents, struggling particularly against teams like Kenmare/Bowbells and Velva.

The games played between these teams and their shared opponents also show that Westhope/Newburg’s offense is far more dynamic and powerful than Berthold’s, as evidenced by their higher scoring averages and ability to close out games effectively.

Breakdown of Records

• Westhope/Newburg:
  • Overall Record: 6-2
  • District Record: 1-1
  • Home Record: 2-0
  • Away Record: 4-2
  • Win Percentage: .750
  • District Win Percentage: .500
• Berthold:
  • Overall Record: 0-5
  • District Record: 0-3
  • Home Record: 0-1
  • Away Record: 0-2
  • Win Percentage: .000
  • District Win Percentage: .000

Both teams have contrasting records in-state, with Westhope/Newburg performing well, and Berthold struggling in both district and non-district games.

Conclusion

While Westhope/Newburg stands out as a strong and consistent team, Berthold is still seeking its first victory of the season. Westhope/Newburg’s balance of offensive firepower and defensive prowess positions them as a formidable opponent in the district, while Berthold will need to make adjustments and find consistency if they hope to improve their winless record. The ongoing season will be crucial for both teams, and it will be interesting to see how their fortunes unfold over the next few games.