The Skyline varsity basketball team (Salt Lake City, UT) will face Cottonwood (Salt Lake City, UT) in a neutral tournament game today at 2:30 PM.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Utah High School Basketball
Who: Cottonwood vs Skyline
When: Today, December 28, 2024
Time: 2:30. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here

Game Preview: Cottonwood vs Skyline

The Utah high school basketball scene has been heating up as teams from across the state face off in intense matchups. Two teams in particular that have been making waves this season are Cottonwood and Skyline. Both teams have had impressive records, but how do they compare in terms of performance and individual stats? Let’s break it down.

Cottonwood (24-25)

Overall Record: 9-3 Cottonwood High School has had a strong start to the 2024-2025 season, boasting a solid overall record of 9-3. The team has excelled in league play, maintaining a perfect 4-0 record in their region, which speaks to their dominance in local competition. When it comes to home games, Cottonwood has a respectable 3-2 record, while their away performance stands at 2-1.

Team Scoring Averages: Cottonwood’s offense is a major strength. Averaging 66.8 points per game, the team’s scoring is well-balanced throughout the game. They put up an average of 16.0 points in the first quarter, followed by 17.0 in the second, and maintain momentum into the third (17.5 points). Their offense shows consistency, as they average over 16 points in each quarter.

Key Players:

• John Rosevear (#4) leads the team with an impressive 20.8 points per game.
• Bo Smith (#5) contributes significantly with 7.3 rebounds per game.
• Luke Park (#11) is another key player, averaging 8.8 assists per game, showcasing his playmaking ability.

Key Stats:

• Points per game: 66.8
• Rebounds per game: 27.5
• Assists per game: 16.0
• Steals per game: 6.0
• Blocks per game: 3.8

Skyline (24-25)

Overall Record: 5-4 Skyline High School’s record for the season stands at 5-4, a solid but less dominant performance compared to Cottonwood’s. The team has been inconsistent in their league play, with a 0-0 record in their region so far. Skyline has faced a mix of home and away games with slightly more success in neutral site matchups, holding a 2-1 record.

Team Scoring Averages: Skyline has struggled to match the offensive output of teams like Cottonwood, averaging just 54.3 points per game. They score 13.8 points in the first quarter and maintain a consistent but lower scoring rate throughout the game. However, their scoring dips in the fourth quarter, where they average just 10.9 points, indicating potential struggles in closing out games.

Key Players:

• Cameron Wilson (#11) is the team’s leading scorer, averaging 12.0 points per game.
• David Rasmussen (#2) is an excellent playmaker with 2.5 assists per game.
• Cameron Wilson (#11) also leads the team with 8.3 rebounds per game, demonstrating his versatility on the court.

Key Stats:

• Points per game: 55.0
• Rebounds per game: 29.4
• Assists per game: 8.0
• Steals per game: 7.6
• Blocks per game: 2.6

Team Stat Comparison

Comparing the two teams reveals stark differences in overall performance. Cottonwood is the more potent offensive team, averaging 66.8 points per game compared to Skyline’s 55.0. While Skyline has a slight edge in rebounding (29.4 per game vs. 27.5 for Cottonwood), Cottonwood leads in both assists (16.0 vs. 8.0) and steals (6.0 vs. 7.6). The two teams are fairly even in blocks, with Cottonwood averaging 3.8 and Skyline 2.6.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced similar opponents this season. For instance, both squads suffered losses to Highland, with Cottonwood losing 73-43 and Skyline losing 62-47. This suggests that while both teams are competitive, they have yet to establish dominance against top-tier opponents.

Record Breakdown

When breaking down the records, Cottonwood stands out with a perfect 4-0 in region play, while Skyline has yet to face any region competition. In non-league matchups, Cottonwood has an even split (2-3), while Skyline is 2-4 in similar games. These discrepancies may point to Cottonwood’s ability to perform against a tougher schedule.

• Cottonwood Record Breakdown:
  • Overall: 9-3
  • Region: 4-0
  • Home: 3-2
  • Away: 2-1
  • Neutral: 4-0
• Skyline Record Breakdown:
  • Overall: 5-4
  • Region: 0-0
  • Home: 1-2
  • Away: 2-1
  • Neutral: 2-1

Conclusion

Both Cottonwood and Skyline have shown promise this season, but Cottonwood has emerged as the stronger team in most statistical categories. Their offensive efficiency, especially in the first half, and dominant league play have set them apart. Skyline, while competitive, will need to improve their scoring consistency and ability to finish strong in the fourth quarter if they hope to challenge top teams like Cottonwood.

As the season progresses, these teams will likely face more challenges, but Cottonwood’s strong start gives them the edge heading into the latter half of the season.