The Lake City (Coeur d’Alene, ID) varsity basketball team will host a non-conference game against Central Valley (Spokane Valley, WA) today at 7 p.m.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Washington High School Basketball
Who: Central Valley vs Lake City
When: Friday, December 20, 2024
Time: 7:00. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here

Game Preview: Central Valley vs Lake City

As we head into the heart of the 2024-2025 basketball season, two teams from Washington’s Inland Northwest region—Central Valley and Lake City—are already showing promising performances, each with their own strengths and challenges.

Central Valley: Building Momentum

Central Valley, located in Spokane, Washington, enters the season with a 3-3 overall record. The team has been competitive, posting a solid 2-1 record at home but struggling a bit on the road with a 1-2 mark. Despite a near-even win-loss ratio, the Central Valley team has demonstrated potential, particularly in their offensive output, averaging 61.2 points per game.

Breaking down their scoring by quarter, Central Valley averages 11.8 points in the first quarter, with a noticeable increase to 14.8 points in the final quarter. This shows their ability to finish strong, though they may need to improve their defense, as evidenced by allowing 378 points against them this season.

In their most recent games, the Central Valley Bears had some memorable highlights, including a victory over Mead (70-55) and a tough loss to Mt. Spokane (65-43). Their schedule, which includes both league and non-league matchups, will continue to test their consistency as they push for a stronger record in the second half of the season.

Lake City: A Strong Start

Lake City, based in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, has been performing at a higher level early in the season with a 6-3 overall record. The team has shown impressive dominance in conference play, posting a perfect 1-0 record and winning 3 out of 5 games in neutral and away contests. Their offense has been efficient, averaging 61.3 points per game, just slightly edging Central Valley in scoring.

Lake City’s offense starts fast, averaging 17 points in the first quarter, and they continue to build momentum with a strong third quarter, where they average 21 points. Their solid scoring distribution is indicative of a well-balanced offense that can perform across all four quarters. However, their defense has been slightly porous, allowing 515 points this season.

Lake City’s most recent games show their strength, including victories over Freeman (results: 1:41 video) and University (73-42) in early December. Their next matchup with Mead on December 21 will be a key test, as they aim to continue their solid start and build upon their winning streak.

Common Opponents: Central Valley vs Lake City

One of the most interesting aspects of the season for both teams is their shared matchups against common opponents. Both teams have faced Mt. Spokane this season, but while Central Valley lost to them in back-to-back games (73-68 on Dec. 6 and 65-43 on Dec. 13), Lake City was able to secure a win, defeating Mt. Spokane by a margin of 17 points (their win coming on Dec. 10).

Other common opponents include Mead, where Central Valley triumphed 70-55, and University, where Lake City defeated them 73-42. These matchups will give both teams a measure of how well they are progressing compared to each other, as well as highlight areas where they need improvement.

Record Breakdown: Head-to-Head Comparison

While both teams share a few common opponents, their overall records tell different stories. Central Valley stands at 3-3, with a mix of league and non-league games, while Lake City has been more consistent with a 6-3 record. Lake City’s stronger conference start (1-0) contrasts with Central Valley’s struggles outside of their home court, where they have won just 1 out of 3 away games.

Here’s a quick look at their overall records, broken down by various metrics:

Conclusion

The basketball season for Central Valley and Lake City is shaping up to be one to watch. Central Valley has the potential to bounce back, particularly with their ability to score late in games, while Lake City’s strong early season suggests they may be a force to reckon with in the upcoming conference matchups.

As both teams continue to face tough competition in their respective leagues and beyond, we’ll see whether Central Valley can capitalize on their home-court advantage and finish stronger, or if Lake City will keep their momentum and continue their impressive start. One thing is for sure: the Inland Northwest is in for an exciting basketball season!