The Del Norte varsity basketball team in Albuquerque, NM, will host a non-conference home game against Melrose, NM, today at 7 PM.

Game Details:

• Teams: Melrose vs. Del Norte
• Date: Friday, January 17, 2025
• Time: 7:00 PM
• Location: Del Norte High School, Albuquerque, NM
• Live stream: Watch Here

Melrose vs. Del Norte: A Clash of Basketball Titans in the 2024-2025 Season

As we move into the heart of the 2024-2025 basketball season, two teams are making their mark: Melrose and Del Norte. Each team has shown impressive stats in the early stages of the season, and the comparisons between them provide fascinating insights into their strengths and weaknesses.

Record Overview

Melrose boasts a solid 8-2 record, with a 0.800 win percentage. The team has excelled on home and away courts alike, showing a balanced approach with 2-0 home and away performances, as well as a 4-2 neutral court record. With a robust offensive and defensive output, Melrose has outscored its opponents with 597 points compared to the 475 points it has allowed.

On the other hand, Del Norte has faced more challenges, coming in with an overall 8-7 record and a .533 win percentage. The team has struggled more at home, holding a 3-4 record, but has done better on the road, with a 5-2 record away from home. Del Norte has accumulated 900 points while conceding 797, showing a slightly higher offensive output than Melrose but struggling defensively in comparison.

Scoring Averages and Breakdown

Melrose has been strong in the first and third quarters, averaging 16.3 and 15.0 points per quarter respectively. However, their offensive output tends to slow down in the second half, with 12.7 points in the fourth quarter. Overall, they average 59.7 points per game.

Del Norte, in contrast, begins slower, with only 10.0 points in the first quarter. Their second half sees a significant improvement, particularly in the fourth quarter, where they average 17.8 points. Their final scoring average of 60.0 points per game shows they can be dangerous down the stretch, with their ability to increase their scoring in the latter half of games.

Team Stat Comparison

When it comes to team statistics, Melrose leads in several key areas:

• Points per game: Melrose averages 59.7 points, slightly below Del Norte’s 60.0, but their defensive efforts seem to be more impactful overall.
• Rebounds per game: Melrose pulls down an average of 20.8 rebounds per game, a key area where they have the edge over Del Norte, who averages just 20.0 rebounds.
• Assists per game: The teams are close in assists, with Melrose at 8.1 and Del Norte at 8.0, both showing a willingness to move the ball and facilitate scoring opportunities.
• Steals per game: Melrose shines here, averaging 8.6 steals per game, led by Gavin Gomez who has 1.5 steals per game, compared to Del Norte’s 8.1 steals per game.
• Blocks per game: The teams are relatively equal in blocking shots, with Melrose averaging 1.6 per game and Del Norte at 1.5.

Team Leaders

Melrose’s top players are Francois Satchivi and Gavin Gomez. Satchivi is the standout, leading the team in scoring with 13.1 points per game and assists with 2.2 per game. Gomez, a strong defensive player, leads the team in steals, with 1.5 per game.

Del Norte’s standout players include Dakarai Morenike, who leads the team with 5.4 rebounds per game, and Mumin Omar, who has been a defensive force with 0.8 blocks per game. Both players are key to their team’s success on both ends of the floor.

Common Opponents and Head-to-Head

Both teams have had the opportunity to face similar opponents, which offers insight into how they perform under comparable conditions. Melrose has yet to play against some of Del Norte’s common opponents, while Del Norte has faced Rio Grande, securing a strong 66-46 win at home in early January.

Conclusion

As the season progresses, the Melrose and Del Norte basketball teams continue to showcase their unique strengths. While Melrose has the upper hand in terms of overall performance, defensive stats, and balanced scoring, Del Norte has proven to be a formidable force with their ability to ramp up their scoring in the later stages of games. Fans can expect thrilling matchups between these two teams, with Melrose’s solid all-around play and Del Norte’s potent offense setting the stage for some high-stakes games.