The Cardinal Newman (Columbia, SC) varsity basketball team is set to play a neutral-site tournament game against James Island (Charleston, SC) today at 11:40 AM.

Game Details:

• Matchup: James Island vs. Cardinal Newman
• Date & Time: Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, at 11:40 AM
• Event: Lowcountry Roundball Classic, Charleston, SC
• Live stream: Watch Here

James Island vs. Cardinal Newman: A Breakdown of Their 2024-25 Basketball Seasons

As the 2024-25 high school basketball season continues to unfold, James Island and Cardinal Newman are making their mark in South Carolina basketball, each with distinct performances. Let’s take a closer look at how these teams stack up against each other and their overall season statistics.

Overall Records & Performance

• James Island: 7-4 overall (2-1 at home, 2-1 away, 3-2 neutral)
• Cardinal Newman: 5-5 overall (2-1 at home, 1-2 away, 2-2 neutral)

James Island holds a slight edge in their overall record with a winning percentage of .636, compared to Cardinal Newman’s .500. The Islander squad has been particularly strong on neutral courts, boasting a 3-2 record, while Cardinal Newman has a more balanced home and neutral performance.

Team Scoring Averages

• James Island: 56.2 points per game
  • Q1: 9.8
  • Q2: 12.7
  • Q3: 13.8
  • Q4: 14.3
• Cardinal Newman: 57.8 points per game
  • Q1: 15.0
  • Q2: 11.5
  • Q3: 11.5
  • Q4: 12.0

Both teams average close scoring numbers, with Cardinal Newman slightly leading at 57.8 PPG compared to James Island’s 56.2. However, James Island seems to have a stronger finish, averaging 14.3 points in the fourth quarter, which is higher than Cardinal Newman’s 12.0 in the same period.

Team Stat Comparison

• Points per Game:
  • James Island: 57.2
  • Cardinal Newman: 57.8
• Rebounds per Game:
  • James Island: 33.0
  • Cardinal Newman: 29.9
• Assists per Game:
  • James Island: 13.9
  • Cardinal Newman: 11.1
• Steals per Game:
  • James Island: 6.0
  • Cardinal Newman: 6.5
• Blocks per Game:
  • James Island: 2.3
  • Cardinal Newman: 3.3

While both teams are relatively close in their offensive scoring, James Island has an advantage in rebounding and assists, while Cardinal Newman leads in steals and blocks.

Key Players to Watch

• James Island:
  • Gavin Ward (#11): 16.4 PPG, 3.8 APG
  • Matthew Gladden (#4): 6.8 RPG
  • Joshua Gladden (#5): 1.6 SPG
• Cardinal Newman:
  • Elton Smith Jr. (#15): 19.0 PPG, 12.1 RPG, 1.7 BPG
  • Jason Rogers Jr. (#3): 3.5 APG
  • Nigel Chivers (#5): 2.0 SPG

James Island’s Gavin Ward is a key player for the Islanders, leading in points and assists. Meanwhile, Elton Smith Jr. of Cardinal Newman stands out with his impressive scoring and rebounding stats, making him the player to watch on the Cardinals’ side.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced several common opponents, including Hammond, First Baptist School, and Lexington. Here’s how they fared:

• James Island:
  • Lost to Lexington (59-50)
  • Beat Hammond (54-51)
  • Beat First Baptist School (88-42)
• Cardinal Newman:
  • Upcoming games with Lexington, Hammond, and First Baptist School.

While James Island holds a 2-1 record against common opponents, Cardinal Newman’s upcoming games against the same teams will offer more insight into their competitive strengths.

Record Breakdown

• James Island:
  • 5-2 in non-league games
  • 7-3 in-state record
  • 0-1 out-of-state
• Cardinal Newman:
  • 3-4 in non-league games
  • 4-2 in-state record
  • 0-3 out-of-state

James Island has proven to be a dominant force in non-league games, with a solid in-state performance. Cardinal Newman, on the other hand, has had some struggles in out-of-state matchups but remains strong within South Carolina.

Head-to-Head and Conclusion

Although there is no direct head-to-head match-up yet between these two teams, their performances indicate an exciting potential meeting. James Island’s edge in rebounds and assists could be a key factor, while Cardinal Newman’s scoring prowess, led by Elton Smith Jr., will provide a significant challenge. Both teams will be looking to build on their success in league play and make strides toward postseason contention.

In summary, while both teams are competitive in their respective areas, James Island’s overall consistency and team depth give them a slight advantage, but Cardinal Newman’s high-powered offense and dominant players like Elton Smith Jr. could make them a formidable opponent. As their seasons progress, their paths could cross for an exciting showdown.