As the 2024-2025 Virginia high school basketball season heats up, two teams have been generating attention for their performances: Giles and Riverside. While both teams have shown promise, their paths to success have differed, with varying results across games. Let’s take a closer look at their performances, statistics, and key players to get a clearer picture of their strengths and areas for improvement.

Giles High School Basketball Team (24-25 Season)

Giles has had a somewhat balanced start to the season with an overall record of 3-3, showcasing both home and away strengths. At home, Giles boasts an undefeated record of 2-0, but struggles on the road with a 1-3 record, leading to a .500 win percentage for the season. In region play, the team has yet to capture a victory, sitting at 0-2, which puts them in a difficult spot for regional competition.

Offensively, Giles averages 50.2 points per game—a bit on the lower end compared to some of their peers. However, the team has a robust defense, having allowed 377 points so far this season. While scoring has been inconsistent, the team has shown resilience, with standout performances from Josh Brock, who leads the team in both points and rebounds with averages of 15.0 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.

Team Leaders:

• Josh Brock: 15.0 PPG, 5.7 RPG
• Isaiah Coles: 7.3 APG, 4.3 SPG
• Dontae Williams: 0.7 BPG

Giles’ Isaiah Coles has also been a playmaker with impressive 7.3 assists per game and strong defense, contributing an average of 4.3 steals per game. While the team still has room for improvement, their leadership and defensive prowess could propel them to success as the season progresses.

Riverside High School Basketball Team (24-25 Season)

Riverside, on the other hand, has had a more challenging start to their season with an overall record of 1-2. They have yet to find consistent success in regional play, with a 0-1 region record. Their strength seems to lie more in their offense, averaging 55.3 points per game, which outpaces Giles. However, their defense has been lacking, allowing a total of 166 points, leading to a tougher road ahead.

The team’s offensive output is fairly well-rounded, with an especially strong scoring contribution from Josh Brock, who averages 15.0 points per game. Riverside’s offense is also led by Isaiah Coles, who, while excelling in assists and steals, is also contributing to the team’s scoring.

Team Leaders:

• Josh Brock: 15.0 PPG, 5.7 RPG
• Isaiah Coles: 7.3 APG, 4.3 SPG

Despite their early setbacks, Riverside’s ability to score quickly has helped them maintain a competitive edge. Their stats, such as 13.0 assists per game and 10 steals per game, suggest they focus on fast-paced play and aggressive defense. However, their tendency to give up points could become a liability against tougher opponents.

Head-to-Head Comparison

When comparing the two teams, there are several interesting contrasts. In terms of scoring, Riverside holds a slight edge, with an average of 55.3 points per game, compared to Giles’ 50.2. Riverside’s offense is more dynamic, but Giles has been more efficient in certain areas, particularly with the ball handling and defensive efforts from key players like Isaiah Coles.

Riverside, however, has a more consistent scoring pattern across their four quarters, averaging 15.0 in the first quarter and maintaining steady production throughout the game. Giles, on the other hand, has yet to reveal a clear scoring strategy for each quarter, which could indicate inconsistent performance in different game situations.

Record Breakdown

• Giles:
  • Overall Record: 3-3
  • Region Record: 0-2
  • Home Record: 2-0
  • Away Record: 1-3
  • Non-League Record: 3-1
• Riverside:
  • Overall Record: 1-2
  • Region Record: 0-1
  • Home Record: 1-1
  • Away Record: 0-1
  • Non-League Record: 3-1

Conclusion

Both Giles and Riverside have their strengths and challenges. Giles will need to improve on their road performances and refine their offensive game to be more competitive in the regional standings. Riverside, on the other hand, must find ways to improve their defense and keep up their scoring pace against tougher teams. With players like Josh Brock and Isaiah Coles on both teams, there’s plenty of individual talent to fuel further success.

As the season progresses, the outcomes of their upcoming games will likely depend on their ability to fine-tune their strategies and leverage the strengths of their key players. The competition is bound to be fierce, and both teams are sure to have thrilling moments as they strive to reach the postseason.