The Hopewell (VA) varsity basketball team will play a home non-conference game against Cristo Rey (Richmond, VA) on Friday, December 27, at 7 p.m.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Virginia High School Basketball
Who: Cristo Rey vs Hopewell
When: Friday, December 27, 2024
Time: 7:00. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here

Game Preview: Cristo Rey vs Hopewell

As the 2024-2025 Virginia high school basketball season progresses, two teams stand out for their contrasting records and performances: Cristo Rey and Hopewell. With a clear divide in their outcomes, the teams reflect the broad spectrum of success in high school basketball.

Cristo Rey: A Struggling Season

Cristo Rey, based in Virginia, has had a tough season thus far, with an overall record of 0-9. Their regional performance mirrors their overall struggles, sitting at 0-5. The team has faced difficulties on both home and away courts, managing no victories in either category. Their offensive output has also been modest, with the team averaging only 41.2 points per game, and they have struggled to keep up defensively, allowing 585 points in total.

A closer look at Cristo Rey’s game-by-game averages shows a particularly weak performance in the first and fourth quarters, where they average 8.0 and 7.0 points, respectively. The team is also struggling to gather rebounds, with only 8.2 per game, and their assists and steals are low as well, averaging just 0.9 and 0.7 per game.

Cristo Rey’s standout player has been #23 Jab Scott, who leads the team with 11.2 points per game. However, despite his efforts, the team has yet to secure a win, reflecting the broader challenges the squad is facing in all areas of play.

Hopewell: A Strong Contender

In stark contrast, Hopewell has dominated the season so far with a stellar 7-1 record, including an undefeated 5-0 mark in regional play. The team has been impressive, especially on their home court, where they remain undefeated at 6-0. Hopewell’s offensive firepower is evident, with the team averaging an impressive 77.8 points per game, far surpassing Cristo Rey’s average.

Hopewell has been consistent throughout the game, with scoring averages of 22.7 points in the first quarter, 22.3 in the second, and 19.7 in the third. Their fourth-quarter performance dips slightly to 14.0 points, but they continue to finish strong, securing the win in most games.

Defensively, Hopewell is equally formidable. They average 33.9 rebounds per game, 19.3 assists, and 12.8 steals. The team’s depth is visible, as multiple players contribute significantly across various stats. Leading the charge is #5 Deshawn Spellman, who scores an average of 21.0 points per game, showing his dominance on the court.

Key Player Comparisons

While Cristo Rey has had difficulty across the board, their top performer, Jab Scott, averages 11.2 points and 2.0 rebounds per game. However, Hopewell’s players far outpace Cristo Rey in virtually every category. Deshawn Spellman leads Hopewell with an impressive 21.0 points per game, and #1 Stephon Cherry dominates with 6.0 rebounds per game. The disparity between these two teams is evident in their individual and team statistics.

Common Opponents: A Snapshot

Both teams have faced some common opponents this season, and the results have been quite different. Cristo Rey lost to Steward 66-39 and Manchester 67-24. Hopewell, meanwhile, will face Steward on January 25, 2025, and Manchester on December 28, 2024, and will be looking to maintain their undefeated regional record.

Record Breakdown

When breaking down their records, the differences between the two teams are stark:

• Cristo Rey: 0-9 overall, 0-5 in region play, and 0-6 on the road.
• Hopewell: 7-1 overall, 5-0 in region play, and 6-0 at home.

While Cristo Rey struggles to find success, Hopewell has been on a roll, showing the true potential of Virginia high school basketball.

Conclusion

As the season continues, Cristo Rey faces an uphill battle to turn their fortunes around. The team will need to improve in nearly every area, from scoring to defense, to secure their first victory. Hopewell, on the other hand, looks like a serious contender for the region, with a well-balanced roster and explosive offense. As both teams look ahead, Hopewell will continue to aim for perfection, while Cristo Rey will hope for a breakthrough in what has been a difficult campaign.