The Cumberland (RI) varsity basketball team will host Portsmouth (RI) in a home conference game on Friday, January 17, 2025, at 7:00 PM.

Here’s what you need Basketball to know:

What: Rhode Island High School Basketball
Who: Cumberland (RI) vs Portsmouth (RI)
When: Friday, January 17, 2025
Time: 7:00. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch Here

Portsmouth vs. Cumberland: Basketball Showdown Preview

The upcoming varsity basketball game between Portsmouth (24-25) and Cumberland (24-25) promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams eager to showcase their skills. The matchup is set for Friday, January 17, at 7:00 PM in Cumberland. Here’s a detailed look at how both teams are performing this season and what to expect from this clash.

Team Overview

Portsmouth (6-2 Overall, 2-2 League) Portsmouth has been impressive so far, boasting a strong overall record of 6-2. The team has been particularly dominant at home with a 4-1 record, while their away record stands at 1-1. Their offense has been potent, averaging 70.9 points per game, led by a balanced scoring attack. Their best quarter has been the fourth, where they’ve averaged 27.0 points.

Cumberland (2-8 Overall, 1-7 League) Cumberland, on the other hand, has struggled throughout the season, with just two wins in ten games. Their league record stands at a tough 1-7, and their overall record is 2-8. The team has faced difficulty on both ends of the floor, with their average points per game sitting at just 52.6. While they’ve managed to put up a decent third-quarter performance (16.0 PPG), their offense tends to falter in the final period, where they average only 9.0 points.

Head-to-Head History

In their last meeting on December 14, 2024, Portsmouth triumphed with a convincing 61-47 victory over Cumberland. The game saw Portsmouth’s offense outpace Cumberland, with the latter struggling to keep up. With this recent win, Portsmouth holds a 1-0 advantage in their head-to-head matchups this season. This victory gives Portsmouth the psychological edge heading into their next game.

Key Matchup: Scoring Averages

Portsmouth’s offensive consistency across all four quarters has been a key strength. The team averages 15.0 points in the first quarter, 16.5 in the second, 14.0 in the third, and 27.0 in the fourth, showing they know how to close games. Their strong finish in the fourth quarter will be critical in their upcoming game against Cumberland, who has had trouble maintaining scoring output.

In contrast, Cumberland’s scoring is far less balanced. While they manage an average of 16 points in the third quarter, their final period performance has been a concern, with just 9.0 points per game in the fourth quarter. Cumberland will need to find ways to generate offense in the final stretch to challenge Portsmouth.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced several common opponents this season. Portsmouth holds a 1-2 record against these teams, while Cumberland is 0-5. Some notable results include:

• Portsmouth’s narrow loss to La Salle Academy (64-57) on January 3 and a tough battle against Classical (80-75) on January 6.
• Cumberland, on the other hand, has struggled against La Salle Academy (70-56 loss) and Bishop Hendricken (62-43 loss), with no wins against common opponents.

Looking Ahead

The upcoming game is pivotal for both teams. Portsmouth, currently in a strong position with a 6-2 record, will look to build on their solid performance and extend their win streak. Their balanced scoring and ability to close games will make them tough to beat. Cumberland, however, will need to drastically improve their offense, especially in the second half, to keep the game competitive. Their struggle against common opponents this season will likely weigh on their performance, and they will need to find a way to break their losing streak against teams of Portsmouth’s caliber.

With the game set for Friday, January 17, at 7:00 PM, the pressure is on Cumberland to improve and challenge Portsmouth for supremacy. Fans from both sides will surely be in for an exciting game, but Portsmouth enters as the clear favorite.