As the 2024-2025 high school basketball season comes to a close, two teams in Colorado have garnered attention for their distinct performances: Rocky Mountain and Eaglecrest. Each has had its fair share of challenges and successes, with one team consistently dominating and the other fighting hard to stay in the mix.

Rocky Mountain: A Season of Mixed Results

The Rocky Mountain team finished the season with a record of 13-11 overall and 9-3 in their league. Their overall win percentage stands at .542, while their league win percentage is a solid .750. The team has been effective on their home court, posting a 6-3 record, but has faced difficulties in away games with a 5-7 record. They have also earned a 2-1 mark in neutral-site games.

Offensively, Rocky Mountain averaged 59.4 points per game, a decent number, but not quite up to the standards of their competitors. Their scoring was spread out through the quarters, with their highest output coming in the fourth quarter (13.1 points). In terms of team statistics, they averaged 27.3 rebounds, 12.5 assists, 8 steals, and 2.6 blocks per game.

Leading the way for Rocky Mountain is #11 Peyton Matkin, averaging 11.9 points per game. Other key players include #42 Daniel Mbadinga, who is a force on the boards with 6.7 rebounds per game, and #0 Avantae Hood, who contributes 3.4 assists and 2 steals per game.

Eaglecrest: A Dominant Force in Colorado Basketball

Eaglecrest, on the other hand, has had a remarkable season. With an overall record of 21-2 and a perfect 7-0 mark in league play, the team has showcased their dominance across the board. Their overall win percentage is an impressive .913, and their league win percentage of 1.000 speaks volumes about their performance in the league.

Eaglecrest has been exceptional both at home (10-0) and on the road (6-1), as well as in neutral-site games (5-1). Offensively, the team averaged 65 points per game, showing a more consistent scoring ability throughout the game, with their highest output in the fourth quarter (17.9 points) and even adding 7.0 points in overtime.

Eaglecrest’s balanced offense and defense have been key to their success. They averaged 31.0 rebounds, 13.1 assists, 8 steals, and 2.1 blocks per game. The team’s scoring is led by #1 Ant Nettles, who puts up 15.1 points per game, and #12 Garrett Barger, who pulls down 8.8 rebounds per game. Nettles also contributes significantly in assists (3.7 per game) and steals (3.5 per game), making him a well-rounded player.

Head-to-Head and Common Opponents

The head-to-head comparison between Rocky Mountain and Eaglecrest is intriguing, as both teams faced several common opponents. Rocky Mountain finished with a 3-2 record against their shared foes, while Eaglecrest came out on top with a 5-0 mark.

In their meetings with teams like Legend, Douglas County, Grandview, Legacy, and Monarch, Eaglecrest posted solid victories, including a 60-59 win over Legend and a 75-40 dismantling of Douglas County. On the other hand, Rocky Mountain had mixed results, with notable wins over Douglas County (73-54) and Legacy (48-47), but suffered losses to Grandview (61-47) and Monarch (68-58).

Key Statistical Comparison

When looking at key team statistics, Eaglecrest holds the advantage in almost every category. They score more points per game (65.0 to 59.4), grab more rebounds (31.0 to 27.3), and dish out more assists (13.1 to 12.5). Both teams are fairly close in steals (8 for Rocky Mountain and 8 for Eaglecrest), but Eaglecrest has a slight edge in blocks per game (2.1 to 2.6).

Individual Standouts

On the individual side, Rocky Mountain’s Peyton Matkin leads the team with 11.9 points per game. However, Eaglecrest’s Ant Nettles is the standout player in this matchup, with 15.1 points, 3.7 assists, and 3.5 steals per game. Nettles’ well-rounded game has been a significant factor in Eaglecrest’s success this season.

Conclusion: A Tale of Two Seasons

In conclusion, while Rocky Mountain has shown flashes of brilliance, their season has been marked by inconsistency, particularly in away games. Eaglecrest, on the other hand, has been a model of dominance, especially in league play. The two teams have followed different paths, with Rocky Mountain looking to build on a solid foundation while Eaglecrest is striving to continue its reign of excellence.

As both teams continue their journey, the story of Rocky Mountain and Eaglecrest serves as a reminder of the highs and lows that define high school basketball. For Rocky Mountain, the goal will be to find consistency, especially in away games, while Eaglecrest will aim to maintain its unbeaten league record and continue its quest for championship glory.