The Castlewood (SD) varsity basketball team will host Great Plains Lutheran (Watertown, SD) for a home non-conference game today at 7:45 p.m.

Matchup Details

• Teams: GPLHS vs. Castlewood
• Date: Thursday, January 16, 2025
• Time: 7:45 p.m.
• Location: Castlewood (SD)
• Live stream: Watch Here
• Live stream: Watch Here

Great Plains Lutheran vs. Castlewood: A Comparison of Two South Dakota High School Basketball Teams

In the world of high school basketball, records and statistics are often the clearest indicators of a team’s performance, but it’s also crucial to examine team dynamics, scoring abilities, and how they compare against common opponents. For the 2024-2025 season, Great Plains Lutheran and Castlewood have established themselves as significant teams in South Dakota’s basketball scene, each boasting their unique strengths. Here’s a closer look at how these two teams stack up against each other.

Team Records and Standings

• Great Plains Lutheran has a 2-4 overall record for the season, including 1 win and 1 loss at home, and 1 win and 2 losses away. They have a narrow win percentage of .333, having scored 299 points and conceded 282.
• Castlewood, on the other hand, has posted a remarkable 7-1 record overall, with 4 wins at home and 2 wins on the road. Their win percentage stands at a solid .875, having outscored their opponents 475 to 355. This clearly indicates a dominant season thus far, particularly in both league and regional play where they boast a perfect 1.000 region win percentage.

Scoring Averages

• Great Plains Lutheran has shown consistent scoring across quarters, averaging 17.6 points in the first quarter, but their scoring dips in the second quarter to 7.2 points. However, they bounce back strongly in the third quarter with 21.6 points, but struggle again in the fourth, posting just 6.2 points, ending the game with an average of 49.8 points.
• Castlewood has a higher overall scoring average of 59.4 points per game, showing a more balanced and potent offense. The team’s scoring distribution suggests they are able to maintain offensive pressure throughout the game, contributing to their strong win percentage.

Team Stat Comparison

When comparing key statistical categories:

• Points Per Game (PPG): Great Plains Lutheran averages 8.3 points per game. Castlewood’s specific PPG is not provided but based on their overall scoring performance, it is much higher.
• Rebounds and Assists: Unfortunately, specific statistics for rebounds and assists were not available for either team.

Team Leaders

Each team has standout players leading their squads:

• Great Plains Lutheran has Hayden Karli as their top scorer, averaging 1.7 points per game. Other notable players include Jarret Bauer and Lucas Johnson, though their exact contributions are unclear.
• Castlewood, while lacking detailed individual statistics, seems to have a more well-rounded squad with multiple players contributing to their dominant season. Their consistent success suggests they have a strong offensive and defensive core.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced similar opponents, but the results have varied:

• Great Plains Lutheran has a 0-1 record against common opponents, losing to Estelline/Hendricks 63-39.
• Castlewood, however, has an impressive 4-0 record against the same teams, including victories over Estelline/Hendricks (50-38), Clark/Willow Lake, Florence/Henry, and Elkton/Lake Benton.

This suggests that Castlewood has been more competitive against their common opponents, further supporting their superior overall record.

Record Breakdown: Home, Away, and Neutral Games

• Great Plains Lutheran has an equal home and away split of 1-1, with no neutral site games yet.
• Castlewood enjoys a perfect record at home, with a 4-0 mark, and has a solid 1-1 performance on the road. Their ability to win both home and away games demonstrates a versatile and consistent team.

Conclusion

While Great Plains Lutheran has had a challenging season with a 2-4 record, their ability to put up strong performances in certain quarters shows potential for improvement. Castlewood, on the other hand, has had a dominant season, with only one loss in eight games and consistent scoring and defense. Their performance against common opponents further underscores their strength.

As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see if Great Plains Lutheran can find their rhythm and improve their record, while Castlewood looks set to continue their strong play. With a favorable schedule ahead, Castlewood’s balanced approach seems poised for success in both regional and state competitions.