The Concord Academy (Concord, NC) varsity basketball team will play a home conference game against Hickory Grove Christian (Charlotte, NC) on Friday, January 31, 2025, at 7:00 PM.

Matchup Details:
HGCHS vs. CA Basketball
Date: Friday, January 31, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM
Event: Homecoming

• Live stream: Watch Here
• Live stream: Watch Here

Hickory Grove Christian vs. Concord Academy: A Detailed Team Comparison and Head-to-Head Analysis

As we approach the exciting matchup between Hickory Grove Christian and Concord Academy, basketball fans are eagerly anticipating how these two teams will perform on the court. Let’s dive deep into their season performance, key player statistics, and their previous head-to-head history.

Team Overview

Hickory Grove Christian (11-11)

• Conference Record: 2-7
• Home Record: 6-6
• Away Record: 3-5
• Neutral Record: 2-0
• Points Per Game: 55.4
• Points Allowed Per Game: 55.4

Hickory Grove Christian has had a challenging season with a .500 overall record but has been competitive across multiple games. They score an average of 55.4 points per game but have struggled defensively, allowing an equal number of points.

Concord Academy (26-3)

• Conference Record: 9-0
• Home Record: 9-0
• Away Record: 8-2
• Neutral Record: 9-1
• Points Per Game: 71.2
• Points Allowed Per Game: 51.9

On the other hand, Concord Academy has been dominant this season, boasting an impressive .897 win percentage. Their offense, averaging 71.2 points per game, has been their strong suit, while their defense has been equally effective, allowing just 51.9 points per game.

Scoring Comparison

The scoring output of both teams paints a clear picture of their playing styles. Hickory Grove Christian scores a respectable 55.4 points per game, but they have been inconsistent throughout the season. Their offense is typically stronger in the second half, particularly in the third and fourth quarters, where they score an average of 13.2 and 15.4 points, respectively.

Concord Academy, on the other hand, excels throughout the game, especially in the first half. They average 18.3 points in the first quarter and 18.6 in the second quarter, building strong leads early. Their offense slows down slightly in the fourth quarter but still manages to score 15.9 points per game.

Head-to-Head Breakdown

The teams met earlier this month in a blowout victory for Concord Academy, with the final score reading 83-46. Concord Academy dominated from the start, especially in the first half, where they outscored Hickory Grove Christian 45-28. Hickory Grove Christian will need to make adjustments to handle Concord Academy’s strong offensive push and more disciplined defense.

Looking ahead, the return game on January 31st, 2025, promises to be an exciting rematch, and Hickory Grove Christian will be hoping for a better performance, especially on the road.

Team Stat Comparison

Hickory Grove Christian

• Points Per Game: 55.4
• Rebounds Per Game: 35.0
• Assists Per Game: 12.6
• Steals Per Game: 7.0
• Blocks Per Game: 2.7

Concord Academy

• Points Per Game: 71.2
• Rebounds Per Game: 26.7
• Assists Per Game: 16.6
• Steals Per Game: 10.0
• Blocks Per Game: 2.4

While Hickory Grove Christian has a slight edge in rebounding, Concord Academy’s superior passing (16.6 assists per game) and defense (10 steals per game) have been key to their success. Additionally, Concord Academy has a higher points-per-game average, which is a reflection of their efficient scoring and ability to maintain offensive pressure.

Player Spotlight

Hickory Grove Christian:

• Tristan Nelson: 11.9 points per game
• Gavin Kiser: 11.0 rebounds per game
• Miles Allen: 3.7 assists per game

Concord Academy:

• James Minlend: 12.9 points per game
• Alek Kornacki: 4.9 rebounds per game
• Lincoln Raper: 3.0 assists per game

Both teams feature star players who are pivotal to their respective teams. Tristan Nelson has been the primary scorer for Hickory Grove Christian, while Gavin Kiser leads in rebounding. For Concord Academy, James Minlend leads in scoring, and Alek Kornacki contributes significantly in rebounds.

Common Opponents

Looking at their shared matchups, Concord Academy has been dominant, holding a perfect 10-0 record against common opponents, whereas Hickory Grove Christian has a 3-7 record. Concord Academy has notably defeated strong teams like High Point Christian Academy, Gaston Day, and Westminster Catawba Christian, while Hickory Grove Christian has struggled in those same contests.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Concord Academy enters the January 31st matchup as the clear favorite, with an impressive overall record, unbeaten conference run, and strong team stats. Hickory Grove Christian will need to execute a flawless game plan, particularly on defense, to keep pace with Concord Academy’s high-scoring offense. If Hickory Grove Christian can limit the scoring runs of Concord Academy and capitalize on their opportunities, the game could be more competitive than their previous encounter.

Fans of both teams are in for an exciting game, and it will be intriguing to see if Hickory Grove Christian can bounce back or if Concord Academy will continue their dominant season.