The Castlewood (SD) varsity basketball team is hosting a home conference game against DeSmet (SD) today at 7:45 p.m.

Game Details:

DeSmet vs. Castlewood Basketball

• Date: Saturday, February 8, 2025
• Time: 7:45 p.m.
• Live stream: Watch Here
• Live stream: Watch Here
• Location: Castlewood (SD)

DeSmet vs. Castlewood: A Comparison of Basketball Teams in the 2024-2025 Season

As the 2024-2025 South Dakota high school basketball season continues to unfold, two teams have emerged as notable contenders in their respective leagues: DeSmet and Castlewood. With each team demonstrating impressive skills and competitive records, let’s take a closer look at how these two teams stack up against each other in various categories, from overall performance to their head-to-head and common opponents’ records.

Overall Record Comparison:

DeSmet, with a record of 8-6, has shown resilience in a competitive field. Their 5-3 home record and 2-1 away performance demonstrate solid consistency in their matches, especially when playing on familiar ground. The team boasts an overall win percentage of .571, reflecting a relatively balanced season. Despite a few tough losses, DeSmet has demonstrated a high degree of competitiveness in each match they’ve played.

Castlewood, on the other hand, has had a standout season with an impressive 14-3 overall record. They are undefeated in their region, holding a 3-0 region record, and have been dominant on their home court with an 8-0 record. Their .824 win percentage shows that they have been one of the top-performing teams this season, with a strong defensive and offensive presence across various matchups.

Scoring Averages:

Both teams have been consistent in their offensive output, though Castlewood edges out DeSmet in overall scoring. DeSmet’s scoring average per quarter stands at:

• Q1: 10.0
• Q2: 8.0
• Q3: 12.0
• Q4: 18.0
  Final: 56.2 points per game

Castlewood, by comparison, has a slightly higher scoring average with:

• Q1: 18.0
• Q2: 12.0
• Q3: 18.0
• Q4: 14.0
  Final: 57.7 points per game

Castlewood’s higher first-quarter output and more balanced performance throughout the game show their ability to maintain strong momentum, particularly in the early stages. On the other hand, DeSmet’s fourth-quarter performance stands out, with a higher scoring average in the final quarter of their games.

Head-to-Head Record:

Both teams have performed well in head-to-head matchups, though they have yet to meet directly this season. When it comes to common opponents, however, there’s an interesting contrast:

• DeSmet holds a 5-4 record against common opponents.
• Castlewood fares better with a 9-1 record.

This difference suggests that Castlewood has had a much stronger performance against teams that both schools have faced, highlighting their ability to overcome tough challenges.

Key Wins and Losses:

DeSmet has had a number of close victories, such as their 53-49 win over Colman-Egan and their 59-52 win over Sioux Valley. However, they’ve also faced tough losses, including a 62-54 defeat to Clark/Willow Lake and an 88-47 loss to Hamlin. Despite these setbacks, DeSmet has remained a competitive team throughout the season.

Castlewood has demonstrated dominance in nearly every game they’ve played, with key wins over teams like St. Mary (63-59), Deuel (65-37), and Arlington (72-32). Their only loss was to Hamlin, where they were defeated 74-52. Overall, Castlewood has maintained strong form and consistency across both regional and non-regional opponents.

Performance on the Road:

When it comes to traveling, DeSmet holds a 2-1 away record, while Castlewood has a slightly stronger 3-1 away record, indicating that both teams have handled the pressures of playing on the road with varying degrees of success. Both teams have managed to take wins away from home, a critical skill for advancing in high-stakes competitions.

Common Opponents Breakdown:

Looking deeper into their common opponents’ records, we see a distinct advantage for Castlewood. Their 9-1 performance against shared teams highlights their superior overall form, while DeSmet’s 5-4 record indicates some challenges in matching up against the same set of teams. This difference in results may offer insight into how these teams would fare should they face off in the future.

Conclusion:

As we move further into the 2024-2025 season, both DeSmet and Castlewood are showing their mettle. DeSmet’s ability to secure victories, particularly in tight games, and Castlewood’s consistent dominance across all areas of play make them two of the most exciting teams to watch in South Dakota high school basketball. Whether or not these teams will meet head-to-head remains to be seen, but their performances against shared competition suggest that Castlewood has the edge. However, with DeSmet’s tenacity and fourth-quarter strength, they are sure to remain a formidable opponent throughout the rest of the season.