The Combine Academy National (Lincolnton, NC) varsity basketball team is hosting a non-conference game against Lincoln Charter (Denver, NC) today at 4:00 PM.

Matchup Details

• Teams: Lincoln Charter vs Combine Academy National
• Date: Saturday, January 11, 2025
• Time: 4:00 PM
• Live stream: Watch Here
• Divisions: Varsity Boys and JVB

High School Basketball: A Tale of Two Teams – Lincoln Charter vs. Combine Academy National

The 2024-2025 high school basketball season has showcased two competitive programs in North Carolina: Lincoln Charter and Combine Academy National. Despite differences in records and performance metrics, both teams have demonstrated their strengths in distinct ways. Here’s an analysis of their seasons so far, including key statistics and comparisons.

Team Rankings and Records

• Lincoln Charter (Class 182, Rank 12)
  Record: 7-5 overall, 3-1 in conference play
  Win Percentage: .583
  Points For (PF): 859 | Points Against (PA): 808
• Combine Academy National (Rank 2 in NC)
  Record: 15-3 overall, no conference record
  Win Percentage: .833
  Points For (PF): 1,400 | Points Against (PA): 1,225

Combine Academy’s record and win percentage reflect their dominance, particularly in neutral-site games, where they’ve gone 11-3. In contrast, Lincoln Charter has had a balanced home and away performance, standing at 3-3 and 4-2 respectively.

Scoring Averages

Lincoln Charter and Combine Academy National maintain high-scoring offenses, but Combine Academy edges out in scoring efficiency.

• Quarterly Breakdown
  Lincoln Charter: Q1 (18.8), Q2 (19.3), Q3 (17.7), Q4 (16.4), OT (13.0) – 71.6 points per game average
  Combine Academy National: Q1 (18.0), Q2 (20.5), Q3 (21.0), Q4 (15.5) – 77.8 points per game average

Combine Academy’s strong performances in the second and third quarters often set the tone for their victories, while Lincoln Charter tends to stay consistent across all periods.

Statistical Leaders

Lincoln Charter relies heavily on #12 David Reed IV, who is a force on both ends of the court:

• Points Per Game: 20.4
• Rebounds Per Game: 8.7
• Blocks Per Game: 1.2

In addition, #20 McKennon Showers contributes significantly in assists (2.4) and steals (1.5). Combine Academy’s specific player stats weren’t available, but their collective numbers in scoring and defense suggest a well-rounded team effort.

Comparative Metrics

• Points Per Game: Lincoln Charter (71.1) vs. Combine Academy National (77.8)
• Rebounds Per Game: Lincoln Charter (22.9)
• Assists Per Game: Lincoln Charter (7.5)
• Steals Per Game: Lincoln Charter (2.9)
• Blocks Per Game: Lincoln Charter (1.7)

While Combine Academy leads in scoring, Lincoln Charter exhibits a strong defensive presence with competitive rebounding and blocking numbers.

Performance Against Common Opponents

• Providence Day School:
  • Lincoln Charter: Lost 70-66 (Dec. 10, 2024)
  • Combine Academy: Won 90-69 (Nov. 23, 2024)
• Christ School:
  • Lincoln Charter: Yet to play (Feb. 8, 2025)
  • Combine Academy: Lost 59-52 (Nov. 22, 2024)

Combine Academy’s commanding win over Providence Day underscores their offensive firepower, while Lincoln Charter’s close loss highlights their competitive spirit.

Record Breakdown

• In-State Games: Lincoln Charter (6-5) vs. Combine Academy (10-1)
• Out-of-State Games: Lincoln Charter (1-0) vs. Combine Academy (5-2)
• Neutral-Site Performance: Lincoln Charter (0-0) vs. Combine Academy (11-3)

Combine Academy’s strength in neutral-site and out-of-state games demonstrates their versatility and ability to perform under various conditions.

Key Takeaways

• Lincoln Charter has shown resilience in conference play, maintaining a .750 win percentage, and relies on star performances from David Reed IV.
• Combine Academy National stands out as a dominant force statewide and beyond, leveraging deep scoring and strong team play to achieve a stellar .833 win percentage.

The upcoming months will be critical for both teams as they aim to secure playoff spots and make deep runs in their respective competitions. Lincoln Charter will focus on maximizing their individual strengths, while Combine Academy will aim to maintain their momentum and polish their gameplay for tougher challenges ahead.