The Dakota Valley (North Sioux City, SD) varsity basketball team will host Tri-Valley (Colton, SD) for a non-conference game tonight at 8 p.m.

Game Details:

• Opponent: Tri-Valley vs Dakota Valley
• Date & Time: Friday, January 24, 2025, at 8 p.m.
• Live stream: Watch Here
• Live stream: Watch Here

Tri-Valley vs. Dakota Valley: A Mid-Season Basketball Breakdown

As the 2024-2025 South Dakota basketball season reaches its midpoint, two teams are standing out in the competitive landscape: Tri-Valley and Dakota Valley. Both teams have their own set of strengths, challenges, and standout players, creating an intriguing contrast when looking at their respective performances.

Team Records and Performance

Tri-Valley has had a challenging start to the season, with a 3-6 overall record. In the region, they have posted a 1-2 record, struggling on the road with an unfortunate 0-4 away record. Their overall win percentage of .333 and region percentage of .333 reflect the difficulties they’ve faced this season, scoring 460 points and conceding 494. Despite their struggles, they’ve been competitive in certain matchups, with a few victories under their belt.

Dakota Valley, on the other hand, has been on a roll with an 8-2 record, including a perfect 2-0 in-region performance. Their overall win percentage of .800, paired with a flawless 1.000 region win percentage, paints a picture of a dominant team this season. They’ve been explosive on offense, putting up 686 points while allowing 515, which is a substantial difference compared to Tri-Valley’s performance.

Scoring Averages and Statistics

Tri-Valley has struggled to find consistent scoring across quarters. They have a team scoring average of 51.1 points per game, with no specific breakdown available by quarter. This suggests inconsistency in their offensive execution, perhaps due to their road-heavy schedule and tough matchups.

Dakota Valley, however, has showcased a more dynamic and balanced scoring approach. Averaging 68.6 points per game, they have been particularly strong in the second and third quarters, scoring 17.0 and 20.1 points respectively. This ability to maintain offensive pressure across multiple quarters has contributed to their success.

In terms of individual performance, Dakota Valley’s Luke Bruns has been a standout, leading his team in points per game (24.2), rebounds (6.8), steals (2.2), and ranking second in assists (4.0). He’s a key factor in their dominant playstyle, contributing across all areas of the game.

For Tri-Valley, Logan Collette has stood out with 4.0 assists per game, showcasing his playmaking ability, but the team has lacked a strong overall scorer. Still, their leadership shows in the defensive plays, as Tatum Sorensen leads the team in blocks with 0.9 per game.

Common Opponents

Both teams have had their share of matchups against common opponents, with notable results.

Tri-Valley’s losses to Madison and Vermillion were tough, suffering from wide margins in both games. However, they will have future opportunities to challenge teams like Canton, Elk Point-Jefferson, and West Central.

Meanwhile, Dakota Valley’s results against common opponents have been more favorable. They secured an impressive 81-21 victory over Canton and held their own in losses to West Central. Their ability to stay competitive with these teams has been a key aspect of their success.

Record Breakdown

The contrast in records becomes even more evident when breaking down home and away performances:

• Tri-Valley has struggled significantly at home (0-4) and on the road (3-2), demonstrating that their success in familiar environments has been hard to come by.
• Dakota Valley, on the other hand, has excelled at home (5-1) and has been strong on the road as well (2-1), showcasing their ability to perform consistently in different environments.

Conclusion

Looking ahead, Dakota Valley appears to be the stronger team in terms of overall performance and consistency. Their high-scoring offense, coupled with an efficient defense, has propelled them to the top of the standings in their region. Meanwhile, Tri-Valley will need to find a way to turn their season around. With tough matchups ahead and a need for better execution across all phases of the game, they will need to focus on improving their consistency in both scoring and defense.

As the season continues, both teams will face additional challenges and opportunities, but Dakota Valley’s impressive form places them as the team to watch in the second half of the season.