The College Prep & Leadership Academy (CPLA) varsity basketball team, based in Jamestown, NC, will play a home conference game against Leadership Academy from Kernersville, NC today at 7:30 p.m.

Here’s what you need Basketball to know:

What: North Carolina High School Basketball
Who: College Prep & Leadership Academy vs Leadership Academy
When: Friday, January 10, 2025
Time: 7:30. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch Here

Leadership Academy vs. College Prep & Leadership Academy: A High-Stakes Basketball Showdown

As the 2024-2025 high school basketball season heats up, two powerhouse teams in North Carolina—Leadership Academy from Kernersville and College Prep & Leadership Academy (CPLA) from Jamestown—are gearing up for a thrilling conference clash. The upcoming games promise to showcase intense competition, strategic play, and impressive athleticism. Here’s a breakdown of these teams’ performances, statistics, and what fans can expect in this exciting matchup.

Team Overview and Performance Breakdown

Leadership Academy has been dominating this season with a stellar 12-1 record. Their perfect 5-0 conference performance speaks volumes about their consistency and skill on the court. With an overall win percentage of .923, they have averaged an impressive 68.7 points per game, while holding opponents to just 616 points on the season. Leadership Academy is particularly known for their explosive offense and strong defensive stats.

CPLA, with a 12-2 record, is not far behind. The team has maintained a perfect 7-0 record in conference play and boasts a .857 win percentage overall. CPLA has scored 926 points so far this season, averaging 66.1 points per game. Their defense is equally strong, having allowed only 606 points. Their blend of aggressive defense and tactical offense makes them a formidable opponent.

Key Statistics and Team Leaders

Both teams feature standout players who have been instrumental in their success.

• Leadership Academy is led by #3 Caden Ryker, who has been dominant across multiple categories. He is the team’s leader in points per game (16.4), assists per game (4.3), and steals per game (4.7). His all-around performance has been crucial to Leadership Academy’s success this season.
• CPLA relies heavily on their dynamic duo—#4 Robert Knotts, who scores 13.8 points per game, and #5 Bryce McKenzie, who averages 5.5 assists per game. Ahmad Frazier has been a standout on the boards with 8.2 rebounds per game, providing a solid inside presence for CPLA.

Game Preview and Head-to-Head

The two teams will face off twice in the coming weeks, with the first meeting set for January 10, 2025 at 7:30 PM at CPLA’s home court. The return game will take place on February 11, 2025 at Leadership Academy. Both games are crucial for their respective conference standings, and fans are eagerly anticipating a battle between two teams at the top of their game.

In their previous head-to-head encounters, both teams have been nearly unstoppable against common opponents. Leadership Academy boasts a 5-0 record against shared opponents, while CPLA has been perfect at 6-0. These teams have shown the ability to crush their competition, but this match is expected to be a much tougher challenge for both sides.

Key Matchup to Watch

A key matchup to watch in this game will be the battle between Caden Ryker and Robert Knotts. Ryker’s ability to control the game through scoring and playmaking will be put to the test by Knotts, who is a dynamic scorer and playmaker in his own right. Both players will be central to their teams’ offensive strategies, and whichever team can better neutralize the other’s star player will have a major advantage.

Another area to watch is Leadership Academy’s rebounding versus CPLA’s defense. While Leadership Academy has a significant edge in rebounding (31.2 per game vs. CPLA’s 22.4), CPLA’s defense has been solid, limiting opponents’ scoring opportunities. This will be a clash of strength versus strength, as Leadership Academy looks to dominate the glass and create extra opportunities, while CPLA will attempt to limit those chances with aggressive defense.

Common Opponents and Performance

Both teams have faced off against some of the same opponents this season, and their performances have been similar. Leadership Academy has defeated teams like Cornerstone Charter, Piedmont Classical, and Bethany Community with dominant scores. CPLA, too, has taken down these teams in commanding fashion, showcasing their offensive and defensive prowess. These games give us a glimpse into the strength of both teams, but the upcoming matchups will be the true test of their capabilities.

Conclusion

With both teams heading into their upcoming matchup on a high note, this will be a highly anticipated game that could have major implications for the conference standings. Leadership Academy comes into the game with a strong offense and rock-solid defense, while CPLA is looking to continue their unbeaten run in the conference. Whichever team emerges victorious will have proven themselves as a top contender for the title, making this an unmissable event for high school basketball fans.

Be sure to tune in for what promises to be an exciting, high-energy contest.