The East Stroudsburg North (Dingmans Ferry, PA) varsity basketball team will host Whitehall (PA) in a non-conference home game on Friday, January 10, 2025, at 7:00 PM.
Here’s what you need Basketball to know:
What: Pennsylvania High School Basketball
Who: East Stroudsburg North vs Whitehall
When: Friday, January 10, 2025
Time: 7:00. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch Here
Whitehall vs. East Stroudsburg North: A 2024-2025 Basketball Comparison
As the 2024-2025 basketball season unfolds, two teams with vastly different trajectories are making their marks. Whitehall and East Stroudsburg North both face challenges in their respective campaigns, with contrasting records, styles of play, and performances in common matchups. Let’s break down their season so far, examining key statistics, team leaders, and a look at how they stack up against each other.
Team Records and Breakdown
Whitehall (24-25) has enjoyed a solid start to the season, boasting an 8-2 overall record. The team has been dominant in their home games, with a 5-1 record, and a respectable 3-1 record on the road. Their conference performance has been more balanced, sitting at 1-1, but they continue to show promise with a strong winning percentage of .800. Whitehall has scored 589 points on the season, averaging just under 59 points per game, while allowing 496 points, for an average of about 50 points per game.
In contrast, East Stroudsburg North (24-25) has struggled, managing just a 2-9 record overall. Their conference struggles are particularly evident, with an 0-4 record. The team’s home court advantage has not helped, as they are 0-3 at home and 0-4 away. The team’s overall performance has been lackluster, averaging just 51.1 points per game, and allowing 659 points, a stark difference compared to Whitehall’s defense.
Team Scoring Averages
Whitehall’s offense has been particularly potent in the second and third quarters, scoring 13.0 and 22.0 points per game, respectively, while maintaining solid output in the other quarters. This balance has helped them average 58.9 points per game. In contrast, East Stroudsburg North has struggled to find consistent offensive rhythm, averaging just 11.2 points in the first quarter and 12.2 in the third, while putting up 14.9 in the fourth. Their scoring is fairly balanced across quarters, but their lack of offensive production has contributed to their poor record, with an average of only 51.1 points per game.
Team Stat Comparison
Looking at key team statistics, Whitehall excels in several areas:
- Points Per Game: Whitehall’s offensive prowess is clear, scoring an average of 58.9 points, far outpacing East Stroudsburg North’s 51.1.
- Rebounds: Whitehall also holds the edge in rebounding, with 26.0 rebounds per game compared to East Stroudsburg North’s 26.0.
- Assists: Whitehall’s ball movement is superior with 9.4 assists per game, compared to East Stroudsburg North’s 7.2.
- Steals and Blocks: Whitehall’s defense is strong, with Piotr Drozd leading in steals with 1.9 per game, and Christopher Samuels contributing 0.9 blocks per game. In comparison, East Stroudsburg North has 0.9 steals and 0.3 blocks per game, showing a need for improvement in both categories.
Team Leaders
Whitehall has several standout players leading the team in various statistical categories:
- Points Per Game: Bernard Bowen leads with 10.0 points per game.
- Rebounds Per Game: Wayne King is the top rebounder with 5.7 rebounds per game.
- Assists Per Game: Jatoine Draughon leads with 2.3 assists per game.
- Steals Per Game: Piotr Drozd has been exceptional, averaging 1.9 steals per game.
- Blocks Per Game: Christopher Samuels is the team’s shot blocker, averaging 0.9 blocks.
East Stroudsburg North, meanwhile, has had trouble finding consistent leaders across the board, but players like Bernard Bowen have emerged as key contributors. However, the stats suggest a team still in search of their identity.
Common Opponents
Both teams have faced some of the same opponents, giving us a good insight into how they compare against similar competition. Whitehall has a strong 3-0 record against common opponents, with victories over teams like Louis E. Dieruff (78-53), Stroudsburg (58-43), and William Allen (55-50). Meanwhile, East Stroudsburg North has struggled in these same matchups, recording just a 1-4 record, with notable losses to Stroudsburg (70-65), William Allen (69-62), and Northampton (62-34). This further highlights the disparity in the two teams’ performance levels.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Whitehall’s 8-2 record speaks to a team that is clearly thriving this season, while East Stroudsburg North’s 2-9 record indicates a difficult year. When considering their performances against similar opponents, the gap becomes even clearer. Whitehall’s strong start and consistent play on both sides of the ball contrast sharply with East Stroudsburg North’s struggles to put together a complete game.
As both teams continue through the season, Whitehall will aim to maintain their momentum, while East Stroudsburg North will need to address their inconsistencies if they hope to turn their season around. The matchups ahead will prove critical for both teams, but especially for East Stroudsburg North, which faces an uphill battle to improve their overall and conference record.
Conclusion
Whitehall’s strong offensive and defensive numbers, paired with their successful record, make them the clear favorite in this comparison. East Stroudsburg North, however, will need to regroup and refine their play if they are to make any significant strides in the second half of the season. With their challenging schedule ahead, both teams face distinct paths — one continuing on a path to success, while the other aims to find a way out of a rough start to the season.