As the 2024-2025 season progresses, the Manual and Denver South teams have had a mix of highs and lows, leading to an intriguing comparison between the two. Here’s a detailed look at how the teams stack up in terms of records, performance, and key statistics.

Team Records & Performance

Manual (24-25) has shown impressive consistency, sporting a strong overall record of 16-3. Their league record is particularly dominant at 11-1, with an undefeated home record of 9-0. The team’s win percentage stands at .842, with a league win percentage of .917, making them a formidable opponent in their league. They’ve scored a total of 849 points while allowing 591, showcasing their offensive firepower and solid defense.

On the other hand, Denver South (24-25) has faced more struggles, with a 9-12 overall record. They’ve only managed to win 0-8 in league play and have a home record of 1-6. Their win percentage sits at .429, and they’ve scored 960 points but allowed 1,060, indicating a more porous defense than their counterparts.

Scoring Averages & Statistical Breakdown

When comparing scoring averages, Manual averages 44.7 points per game, while Denver South is slightly higher at 45.7. However, the distribution of points shows a different story, with Manual’s consistent scoring across all four quarters (9.0 in the first, 11.4 in the second, 13.0 in the third, and 11.1 in the fourth) compared to Denver South’s more varied performance (9.5 in Q1, 14.3 in Q2, 10.9 in Q3, and 10.4 in Q4). This suggests that Manual tends to have a more balanced scoring approach, while Denver South’s offense fluctuates throughout the game.

Team Stat Comparison

Looking at other key statistics:

• Manual outperforms Denver South in rebounds per game (30.5 vs. 24.2), assists per game (6.1 vs. 2.7), steals per game (16.1 vs. 12.1), and blocks per game (5.4 vs. 2.6), reflecting their well-rounded game.
• Denver South shows a stronger offense in terms of points per game but lags behind Manual in most defensive categories.

Key Players

Manual’s standout player is Jaci Collins-Falcon, who leads the team with 16.9 points per game. She is also a key contributor in assists with 2.7 per game. Other top performers include Dayjah Fox with 14.5 rebounds per game and Caylei Walker, who averages 4.8 steals per game.

For Denver South, Alex Gehring leads in several categories, including 10.5 points per game, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.0 steals. Ka’niya Anderson also contributes significantly with 5.1 blocks per game.

Common Opponents & Record Breakdown

The teams have shared some common opponents throughout the season:

• Both teams faced DMLK, with Manual winning 56-27 on 2/12/25 and Denver South securing a 60-28 win on 2/15/25.
• Northfield was another shared opponent, with Manual losing 62-28 on 2/18/25, while Denver South lost to them 75-31 on 1/24/25.

In terms of head-to-head performance, both teams have faced off against common opponents with differing results, which further emphasizes their contrasting strengths.

Overall Record Breakdown:

• Manual has a strong 16-3 overall record, bolstered by an impressive 9-0 home record and a solid 5-0 non-league record.
• Denver South has struggled with a 9-12 overall record, and while they’ve managed a 5-1 record in non-league play, their 0-8 league record highlights their difficulties in competitive matchups.

In conclusion, while both teams have shown flashes of brilliance, Manual stands out as the stronger team, with better overall stats and a more balanced approach to the game. Denver South, despite their challenges, will look to build upon their strengths in the second half of the season.