In a matchup between two Arizona high school teams, Pinnacle has shown its dominance early on in the 2024-25 season, with an impressive 8-0 record. They have consistently been one of the top-performing teams, outperforming their opponents in nearly every category, including scoring, rebounding, and defense. Gila Ridge, on the other hand, has struggled with a 1-5 overall record, and their challenges were evident in their recent performance against Pinnacle.

Pinnacle’s Strong Start

Pinnacle has proven to be a force in the league, boasting a perfect 1.000 win percentage in both overall and regional play. With a record of 8-0, their offense has been explosive, averaging a remarkable 67.1 points per game. Their scoring has been well-rounded, with standout performances from players like Norah Moo, who leads the team with 19.9 points per game. Additionally, Pinnacle’s offense is supported by solid rebounding (35.9 per game), assists (19.3 per game), and steals (18.1 per game).

Their scoring averages across the four quarters show their consistency: 16.8 points in both the first and second quarters, followed by 14.5 in the third and 13.3 in the fourth. Their overall scoring average of 65.6 points per game reflects their ability to put up strong numbers throughout the game, making them one of the most dangerous teams in the state.

Gila Ridge Struggling to Find Their Footing

Gila Ridge, in contrast, has faced significant struggles this season, holding a 1-5 record overall and a 0-1 mark in region play. Despite having some bright spots, such as Arianna Hernandez leading the team with 8.0 points per game, the team has found it difficult to keep pace with stronger opponents. Gila Ridge’s scoring has been much lower, averaging only 15.6 points per game, and their numbers across the board are significantly behind Pinnacle’s in terms of rebounds (22.6 per game), assists (2.8 per game), and steals (4.8 per game).

The team has seen some improvements in the second half of games, with their scoring increasing to 8.5 points in the second quarter and 6.5 in the third, but they’ve struggled to maintain consistency, as reflected in their final average of 24.2 points per game.

Key Players

Pinnacle’s key players have been vital to their strong season so far. Norah Moo has excelled, averaging 19.9 points and 10 rebounds per game, showcasing her ability to dominate both ends of the court. Rylee Fraley has also been a standout, contributing 5 assists and 4.1 steals per game, helping to set the tone defensively.

For Gila Ridge, Hernandez remains a key player, though her 8.0 points per game isn’t enough to lift the team to victories. Ella Gettings has also been a consistent contributor, averaging 12 rebounds per game, while Kayla McCarrell has been a key player in assists and steals, though her efforts haven’t been enough to turn the tide for Gila Ridge.

Head-to-Head Comparison

When comparing the two teams head-to-head, Pinnacle has the clear advantage. Pinnacle has dominated their league play with a perfect 3-0 record on the road and a 1-0 mark in home games, whereas Gila Ridge has struggled significantly in away games, posting a 1-4 record. Pinnacle’s consistency on both ends of the floor, especially in scoring, has been their major strength, while Gila Ridge continues to work on finding their rhythm.

Looking Ahead

With Pinnacle’s impressive start and their formidable roster, they are likely to remain a top contender in the region as the season progresses. Gila Ridge, however, will need to regroup and focus on improving their scoring and defense if they hope to turn their season around.

As the teams head into the next stretch of the season, Pinnacle will aim to maintain their unbeaten streak, while Gila Ridge will need to focus on turning their efforts into wins to climb up the standings.