The WestSide (Clear Fork, WV) varsity basketball team will be playing a home conference game against Bluefield (WV) today at 7 p.m.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: West Virginia High School Basketball
Who: Bluefield vs WestSide
When: Friday, January 10, 2025
Time: 7:00. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here

Game Preview: Bluefield vs WestSide

As the 2024-2025 West Virginia high school basketball season continues to unfold, two teams are beginning to make a mark in their respective regions: the Bluefield Beavers and the WestSide Renegades. With contrasting early season results, both teams are hoping to bounce back and make an impact as the season progresses. Let’s dive into their records, head-to-head matchup, and a closer look at their performance so far.

Bluefield Beavers (0-5 Overall, 0-3 Away)

The Bluefield Beavers have faced a rough start to the season, with an overall record of 0-5, struggling particularly on the road. Despite being undefeated at home, Bluefield has not yet secured a win away or at neutral sites. This lack of success on the road is reflected in their 0-3 away record, which has hurt their chances to gain traction early in the season.

Their scoring breakdown shows a team that has flashes of offensive success, averaging 58 points per game (PPG). They’ve been able to score well in the first quarter, averaging 25 points, but their performance tends to dip as the game progresses, especially in the second quarter, where they score just 9 points on average. The Beavers need to find a way to maintain offensive momentum throughout all four quarters, particularly in their away games, if they hope to turn their season around.

• Bluefield’s Record Breakdown:
  • Overall: 0-5
  • Home: 0-0
  • Away: 0-2
  • Neutral: 0-3
  • Win %: .000
  • PF (Points For): 290
  • PA (Points Against): 372

WestSide Renegades (1-3 Overall, 1-0 Home)

The WestSide Renegades have had a slightly better start to their campaign, with a 1-3 overall record. While they are yet to win an away game, their performance at home has been more promising, securing a victory in their only home game so far. WestSide has struggled to close out games, with their only win coming at home against a non-league opponent.

The Renegades have shown some consistency in their scoring, with an average of 65.8 points per game. Unlike Bluefield, WestSide has managed a more balanced attack across the four quarters, averaging 18 points in both the first and second quarters. However, they still need to improve their defense and manage their scoring better in the second half of games, where they tend to struggle, as reflected in their season-to-date record.

• WestSide’s Record Breakdown:
  • Overall: 1-3
  • Home: 1-0
  • Away: 0-3
  • Win %: .250
  • PF (Points For): 263
  • PA (Points Against): 210

Team Scoring Averages Comparison

• Bluefield: The Beavers average 25 points in the first quarter, but drop off significantly in the second, scoring only 9 points. They regain some ground in the third and fourth quarters with averages of 11 and 19 points, respectively. Their total average is 58 points per game.
• WestSide: The Renegades are more consistent across the board, averaging 18 points in both the first and second quarters, and 11 and 17 points in the third and fourth quarters. Their total average of 65.8 points per game shows their ability to generate offense more evenly throughout the game.

Upcoming Matchups

Both teams are preparing for head-to-head contests in the coming weeks. The first game will take place on January 10, 2025, with Bluefield traveling to WestSide for an away conference game at 7 PM. WestSide will then head to Bluefield for the return match on February 4, 2025.

These games will be crucial for both teams, as Bluefield will aim to secure their first win of the season, while WestSide looks to build momentum following their lone home victory.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced some shared opponents so far this season. For instance, Bluefield lost to Shady Spring 62-56 on December 29, 2024, while WestSide will face Shady Spring on January 7, 2025. How each team performs against these common opponents will be a significant indicator of how they stack up against each other and in their respective regions.

Looking Ahead

As the season progresses, both Bluefield and WestSide will need to make adjustments to their strategies, especially in the areas of consistency and defensive play. Bluefield must improve their performance in away games, while WestSide must find ways to turn their potential into more victories, especially on the road.

The upcoming matchups between these two teams will be a critical test and could have significant implications for their respective seasons. Stay tuned to see how these two teams battle it out and whether one can gain momentum as the region heats up.