The Gilbert (SC) varsity basketball team will host Eau Claire (Columbia, SC) for a non-conference game on Thursday, December 19, at 7:30 p.m.

Here’s what you need to know Basketball:

What: South Carolina High School Basketball
Who: Gilbert (SC) vs Eau Claire (SC)
When: Thursday, December 19, 2024
Time: 7:30. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch Here

Eau Claire and Gilbert: A Comparative Analysis of Their 2024-2025 Seasons

As the 2024-2025 basketball season progresses, two teams—Eau Claire and Gilbert—have showcased contrasting performances. The analysis of their records, statistical averages, and common opponents provides insight into how these teams have fared so far, highlighting the stark differences in their achievements.

Eau Claire’s Dominance

Eau Claire has had an impressive start to the season with a perfect 5-0 record. Their performance has been consistently strong both at home and on the road, boasting a 2-0 home record and a 3-0 away record. Their overall win percentage stands at 1.000, a testament to their dominance on the court. Eau Claire’s offensive efficiency has been evident, averaging 61.6 points per game (PPG), with the team scoring 13.0 points in the first quarter, 17.5 in the second, 19.0 in the third, and 16.5 in the fourth. Their ability to maintain a high level of scoring across all quarters sets them apart from their competition.

Key player statistics show that Jennings Digieso, a leader for Eau Claire, has been pivotal in their success, averaging 8.0 points per game, well above the national average of 5.3 PPG.

Eau Claire’s strong performance is reflected in their victories over common opponents. They defeated Airport 78-55 and American Leadership Academy 50-46 and 48-38, maintaining an undefeated record against these teams.

Gilbert’s Struggles

On the other hand, Gilbert’s season has been far from stellar. With a 1-10 overall record, their performance has struggled, especially in regional games, where they have gone 0-5. Their home and away games have been similarly challenging, with a 1-2 home record and a 0-5 away record. With a win percentage of just .091, their offensive game has not been able to keep up with the competition, averaging only 40.5 points per game.

Gilbert has found it difficult to find consistency in scoring, with their point distribution across the quarters being relatively low: 9.2 in the first quarter, 8.7 in the second, 11.2 in the third, and 11.3 in the fourth. This pattern indicates a lack of offensive rhythm, particularly in the early stages of games, which has been a significant factor in their struggles.

Gilbert’s lone win came against a non-league opponent, but their losses to common opponents, such as American Leadership Academy and Columbia, have been overwhelming. In the head-to-head comparison with Eau Claire’s common opponents, Gilbert lost to Airport (42-29) and American Leadership Academy (42-29), while Eau Claire secured victories against these teams.

Head-to-Head and Common Opponents

When comparing the two teams head-to-head, Eau Claire holds a clear advantage, with a 3-0 record against common opponents, while Gilbert has only managed a 0-2 record against the same teams. This disparity highlights Eau Claire’s superior play, particularly in matchups against similarly rated teams.

Both teams will continue their seasons with upcoming games. Eau Claire will face Columbia, while Gilbert has a tough schedule ahead, including games against Columbia and Airport.

Conclusion

Eau Claire’s dominance and unbeaten record contrast sharply with Gilbert’s struggles. The high-scoring offensive play of Eau Claire, led by standout players like Jennings Digieso, places them as one of the top teams in the state. Gilbert, however, must find a way to turn around their season, as their struggles on both sides of the ball have left them with a difficult road ahead.

As the season progresses, both teams will be tested by tough matchups, but based on their current trajectories, Eau Claire looks poised for a successful campaign, while Gilbert will need to make significant improvements to salvage their season.