The Goose Creek (SC) varsity basketball team will play a neutral-site tournament game against Gray Collegiate Academy (West Columbia, SC) today at 7:00 PM.

Matchup Details:

• Teams: GCA vs. Goose Creek
• Date & Time: Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, at 7:00 PM
• Event: Poinsettia Classic at Greenville High School
• Live stream: Watch Here

Gray Collegiate Academy vs. Goose Creek: A Basketball Showdown Comparison for the 2024-2025 Season

As the 2024-2025 high school basketball season continues to heat up, two South Carolina teams—Gray Collegiate Academy and Goose Creek—have emerged with strong performances. Let’s take a deep dive into how these two squads compare in terms of overall performance, scoring, and standout players, as they each make their mark in this competitive season.

Team Records and Performance

Gray Collegiate Academy has faced some challenges this season, compiling a 4-6 record overall. However, they have been resilient in their region games, standing at 1-1 in their region. The team has experienced mixed results at home (1-0) and away (1-2), with a win percentage of .400 and a region win percentage of .500. With 551 points scored and 571 points allowed, Gray Collegiate Academy is working hard to find their rhythm.

On the other hand, Goose Creek has been dominant this season, boasting a stellar 12-1 record overall. The team has been perfect at home (4-0), strong away (5-1), and undefeated in neutral-site games (3-0), giving them an impressive win percentage of .923. Goose Creek has been effective in both scoring (898 points) and defense (527 points allowed), showcasing their well-rounded gameplay.

Team Scoring Averages

Gray Collegiate Academy’s offense has shown flashes of brilliance, with an average of 55.1 points per game. Their scoring is well distributed throughout the game, especially in the first (23.0 points) and fourth quarters (19.0 points). However, they have struggled with consistency, scoring just 8.0 points in the second quarter, which is a point of concern.

Goose Creek, meanwhile, has been more consistent throughout the game, averaging 69.1 points per game. Their highest scoring output comes in the second quarter (17.9 points), and they maintain a strong pace in the first (16.4 points) and third (15.3 points) quarters as well. This offensive balance has allowed them to outscore opponents consistently and maintain control of games.

Team Stat Comparison

Offense and Defense:

• Points per Game: Gray Collegiate Academy scores 52.6 points per game, while Goose Creek leads with 69.1 points per game, showcasing their higher-scoring offensive sets.
• Rebounds per Game: Gray Collegiate Academy is stronger on the boards with 30.0 rebounds per game compared to Goose Creek’s 16.0. This suggests that Gray Collegiate Academy has been able to control the paint and limit second-chance opportunities for their opponents.
• Assists per Game: Gray Collegiate Academy averages 10.6 assists per game, which highlights their playmaking ability, though Goose Creek isn’t far behind with 10.0 assists per game.
• Steals per Game: Gray Collegiate Academy leads with 7.4 steals per game, showcasing their defensive prowess, while Goose Creek averages 4.1 steals.
• Blocks per Game: Gray Collegiate Academy is also ahead in this category, averaging 2.8 blocks per game compared to Goose Creek’s 0.8 blocks per game.

Player Leaders

For Gray Collegiate Academy, #23 Levi Ball has been a standout player, leading the team with 12.1 points per game and 8.5 rebounds per game. He’s also contributing defensively with 1.9 blocks per game. Alongside him, #0 Quan McDuffie is averaging 2.8 assists per game, while #5 Lamont (LJ) Britt has been the team’s primary defender, averaging 1.9 steals per game.

On the Goose Creek side, #11 Ja’Quell Brown has been the star player, leading the team with an impressive 19.7 points per game. He’s also been highly effective in other areas, contributing 2.7 assists per game, 3.7 steals per game, and 1.0 block per game. Shane Potts has been strong on the boards, averaging 7.3 rebounds per game, while Taveion Scott has contributed defensively with 1.0 block per game.

Record Breakdown

The record breakdown further underscores the contrasting seasons of both teams. Gray Collegiate Academy has had some trouble with consistency in non-league games (1-3), but they’ve fared better in region matchups (1-1). Goose Creek, however, has been nearly unbeatable, with a 10-1 record in non-league games and a perfect 4-0 record at home.

Conclusion

While Goose Creek stands out with an outstanding 12-1 record, Gray Collegiate Academy’s hard-fought battles demonstrate the potential for improvement as the season progresses. Goose Creek’s offensive firepower, highlighted by Ja’Quell Brown’s leadership, and their consistent defensive play, make them a formidable opponent. However, Gray Collegiate Academy’s strength in rebounds and defense, led by Levi Ball, offers a strong foundation that could turn things around in the second half of the season.

As both teams continue to compete, the remainder of the season promises to be exciting, with Gray Collegiate Academy aiming to bounce back and Goose Creek looking to maintain their dominance.