The Chapel Hill (NC) varsity basketball team will play a home non-conference game against Carrboro (NC) on Friday, December 13, 2024, at 8:00 PM.

Here’s what you need to know Basketball:

What: North Carolina High School Basketball
Who: Chapel Hill vs Carrboro
When: Friday, December 13, 2024
Time: 8:00. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch Here

A Tale of Two Teams: Carrboro vs. Chapel Hill Basketball in 2024-2025

As the 2024-2025 high school basketball season heats up, the Carrboro and Chapel Hill teams are showcasing their strengths and facing distinct challenges in their quest for success. Let’s dive into a breakdown of their performance thus far, comparing their statistics, team leaders, and head-to-head records.

Overall Performance and Records

Carrboro’s record stands at 1-3, with their only win coming from a tight 65-63 victory over Seaforth. They’ve struggled on the road, with a 0-1 record, and at home, where they have a 1-2 record. The team’s overall win percentage is a modest .250, with 245 points scored and 258 points allowed, showing some issues in both offense and defense.

On the other hand, Chapel Hill has been performing at an impressive level with a 5-1 overall record. They boast a solid win percentage of .833, with their only loss coming against an out-of-conference opponent. Chapel Hill’s offense has been potent, scoring 384 points so far, while limiting opponents to just 251. Their home record stands at 3-1, while they are perfect on the road with a 2-0 record.

Scoring Averages: Fast Starts for Both Teams

When it comes to scoring, Chapel Hill has been the more consistent team. They’ve averaged 64 points per game, with a significant first-quarter output of 27 points. However, they’ve had slower second and third quarters, scoring just 9 and 15 points, respectively, before closing strong in the final quarter with 14 points. Their ability to start fast has often given them a comfortable lead, helping them maintain their advantage in most games.

Carrboro, in contrast, has been more balanced in their scoring but without the same explosiveness. Averaging 61.3 points per game, they score 13 points each in the first two quarters before turning it on in the second half with 18.3 points in the third and 17 points in the fourth. While they don’t have the same early-game dominance as Chapel Hill, their ability to stay in games late shows their potential to be competitive.

Key Team Statistics

In terms of team averages, Chapel Hill outpaces Carrboro in several key areas:

• Points Per Game: Chapel Hill scores 65.2 points per game, compared to Carrboro’s 58.5.
• Rebounds Per Game: Chapel Hill edges out Carrboro in rebounding, with 32.8 rebounds compared to Carrboro’s 29.5.
• Assists Per Game: Carrboro averages 13 assists per game, slightly ahead of Chapel Hill’s 11.
• Steals Per Game: Carrboro’s defense has been more aggressive, averaging 11.5 steals per game versus Chapel Hill’s 13.8.
• Blocks Per Game: Both teams are fairly equal in blocking shots, with Chapel Hill slightly ahead (1.2 blocks) compared to Carrboro (1.0 blocks).

Team Leaders: Players to Watch

Carrboro’s standout player has been Bakari Watkins (#10), who leads the team with an average of 26.5 points per game, as well as 7.5 rebounds per game. He has been an offensive force for Carrboro, helping keep the team competitive despite their slow start. Sam Kanjorski (#1) has contributed significantly in assists and steals, averaging 3.5 assists and 2 steals per game.

For Chapel Hill, Jeremiah “Juice” McIlwaine (#34) leads the team with 12.8 points per game, while Jason Krieg (#45) is a standout on the boards, averaging 7.4 rebounds per game. Wesley Krieg (#10) has been a strong facilitator, leading the team with 4 assists per game. Niko Davis (#1) provides a key defensive presence with 0.4 blocks per game and 1.0 steals.

Head-to-Head: The Common Opponents

Both teams have faced a similar set of opponents this season, but Chapel Hill has come out on top in all of their matchups. Chapel Hill defeated Cedar Ridge 78-39, while Carrboro narrowly lost to Cedar Ridge 54-52 in their meeting. Both teams defeated Seaforth, with Carrboro edging out a 65-63 win, and Chapel Hill dominating 65-39. Carrboro also fell short in a tough game against East Chapel Hill, losing 67-61, while Chapel Hill is scheduled to face them on January 24, 2025.

Record Breakdown: Contrasting Paths

Carrboro has had a challenging start to the season with a 1-3 record in non-league games, while Chapel Hill has been dominant, with a 5-1 record overall. Both teams are looking to improve their in-league performances, with Chapel Hill holding a strong edge in head-to-head competition. Carrboro’s upcoming games, particularly their matchups at home, will be pivotal for their chances of turning the season around.

Conclusion

While Chapel Hill has clearly been the more successful team so far in the 2024-2025 season, Carrboro is not without its strengths. The team’s balanced offense, led by Bakari Watkins, and aggressive defense give them potential to improve as the season progresses. Chapel Hill’s fast starts and high-powered offense, spearheaded by McIlwaine and Krieg, make them a formidable opponent for anyone in the league. As both teams continue their campaigns, it will be interesting to see if Carrboro can rebound from a slow start and challenge Chapel Hill in their upcoming encounters.