The Eastside Varsity Basketball Team (Taylors, SC) will be playing a home conference game against Riverside (Greer, SC) today at 7:30 PM.

Game Details:

• Opponent: Riverside @ Eastside
• Date & Time: Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 7:30 PM
• Location: Eastside High School
• Live stream: Watch Here
• Live stream: Watch Here

Riverside vs. Eastside Basketball: A Tale of Two Teams

The 2024-2025 varsity basketball season has been an interesting one for both Riverside and Eastside high schools, with contrasting performances that showcase each team’s strengths and weaknesses.

Riverside’s Dominance

Riverside (Greer, SC) has been having a successful season, with a 16-7 overall record and a solid 8-3 region performance. The team has consistently delivered strong results both at home (6-3) and on the road (7-3), with an impressive win percentage of .696. Their high-scoring offense, averaging 56.9 points per game, has been one of their defining features. Riverside’s offense has been especially potent in the final quarter, where they’ve averaged 20.8 points—more than any other quarter. The team’s overall scoring average is supported by standout players like Brandon Ray, who leads the team in points (14.0), steals (1.4), and is a force on both ends of the court.

The team also boasts a robust defense, with an average of 6.5 steals per game, as well as contributions from players like Mj Posey, who provides a defensive presence with 0.5 blocks per game. Riverside has faced a mix of tough competition and common opponents, with notable wins against teams like Spartanburg, Wade Hampton, and Boiling Springs. Their most recent victory came against Eastside, where they triumphed 38-30 in an away game.

Eastside’s Struggles

On the other hand, Eastside (Taylors, SC) has encountered a difficult season, sitting at a 6-16 overall record and a 3-7 region mark. Their home record is a modest 3-5, and they’ve struggled away from home with a dismal 0-9 record. Despite their struggles, they’ve managed to show flashes of potential, particularly in the second and third quarters, where they’ve averaged 13.4 and 14.1 points, respectively. However, Eastside has faced challenges in closing out games, averaging only 16.2 points in the fourth quarter, and they have not been able to match Riverside’s offensive firepower.

Their defense has been inconsistent as well, allowing 1,291 points for the season. Key players like Thomas Rouse (4.4 rebounds per game) and Brandon Ray (5.0 points per game) have shown effort on both ends of the court, but the team as a whole has struggled to maintain consistency. Their most recent loss came against Riverside, where they were unable to keep up in a low-scoring affair.

Head-to-Head: Riverside Prevails

Riverside’s win against Eastside earlier this week (38-30) was another example of their dominance in head-to-head matchups. The game, played on February 4th, saw Riverside’s balanced scoring and strong defense overpower Eastside. While Eastside fought hard, Riverside’s ability to execute late in the game helped them secure the victory.

Riverside has proven to be more efficient overall, with their ability to close out games and maintain pressure throughout. In contrast, Eastside’s struggles to compete consistently have left them on the losing side of many games this season.

Team Stats Breakdown

Riverside:

• Points per game: 56.9
• Rebounds per game: 18.1
• Assists per game: 9.1
• Steals per game: 6.5
• Blocks per game: 1.3

Eastside:

• Points per game: 52.0
• Rebounds per game: 18.1
• Assists per game: 9.1
• Steals per game: 6.5
• Blocks per game: 1.3

Both teams share similar statistics in terms of rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks, but Riverside’s ability to score more consistently—especially in the fourth quarter—has made them the more successful team this season.

Common Opponents: Riverside Outshines

When looking at common opponents, Riverside has managed a better record (8-5) compared to Eastside’s 3-9 mark. Notable wins for Riverside include victories over teams like Hillcrest, Spartanburg, and Dorman, while Eastside has struggled against similar competition, including close losses to Hillcrest and Spartanburg.

Looking Ahead

Both teams still have a number of games left to play in the season. Riverside will continue to push for a high seed in the playoffs, while Eastside will be focused on regrouping and building momentum for the remainder of the year.

With contrasting performances, Riverside’s successful season stands as a testament to their offensive depth and defensive consistency, while Eastside’s efforts show the promise of growth, despite a challenging year so far.