The Gregory (SD) varsity basketball team will host a non-conference game against Jones County (Murdo, SD) on Friday, January 31, 2025, at 7:45 PM.

Matchup Details:

• Teams: Jones County vs Gregory
• Date: Friday, January 31, 2025
• Time: 7:45 PM
• Live stream: Watch Here
• Live stream: Watch Here

Jones County vs Gregory: A Breakdown of Two South Dakota High School Basketball Teams

As the 2024-2025 South Dakota high school basketball season progresses, Jones County and Gregory have emerged as two teams worth watching, each with their unique strengths and challenges. A closer look at their performances so far provides valuable insights into their respective seasons, as well as the impact of key players on their results.

Team Overview

• Jones County has faced a challenging season with a record of 5-9 overall, including 1-3 in the region. Their home record stands at 3-3, while they have struggled on the road with a 0-4 mark. Despite these setbacks, Jones County has managed to score an average of 42.6 points per game, but their defense has been a concern, as they have allowed 650 points this season.
• Gregory, on the other hand, has had an impressive start to their season with a 9-2 record. They have dominated their region, maintaining an undefeated 6-0 record. Their overall performance has been stellar, with a scoring average of 64.8 points per game and a solid defense, allowing only 434 points. Gregory has been especially strong at home, where they are unbeaten (5-0).

Scoring and Statistical Averages

When it comes to scoring, Gregory has been much more potent than Jones County. On average, Gregory scores 63.8 points per game, a significant margin above Jones County’s 42.6 points. Their offensive game has been marked by high scoring in the first half, averaging 35.7 points combined between the first two quarters. In comparison, Jones County averages 21.5 points in the first half of their games.

The scoring discrepancy is also reflected in the second half. Gregory’s third and fourth-quarter averages (18.0 and 16.7 points, respectively) contribute to their impressive final scores. Jones County, though better in the third quarter (14.5 points), still finds itself trailing in most games due to a weaker performance in the second quarter (8.0 points).

Defensively, Gregory has outperformed Jones County. Gregory averages 31.8 rebounds per game, far ahead of Jones County’s 13.4. Their defense, led by players like Brock Wahl and Cruz Klundt, has been more efficient in limiting their opponents’ scoring opportunities. Jones County has struggled defensively, with a higher points allowed per game (650) than Gregory (434).

Key Players

Jones County’s Jace Nix has been the standout player for his team, leading with 15.3 points per game. He is also a strong presence on the boards, averaging 8.0 rebounds per game, and is a key defender with 3.0 steals and 1.0 block per game. His contributions are crucial to Jones County’s performance, but he has not had enough support to consistently drive the team to victory.

On the other hand, Gregory’s Noah Bearshield has been a consistent contributor, averaging 11.5 points per game. He is also a key rebounder and playmaker, with 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. Brock Wahl and Cruz Klundt are also important pieces of the puzzle, contributing to both the offensive and defensive efforts. Gregory’s well-rounded team is one of the primary reasons for their success this season.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced common opponents this season, providing a useful comparative analysis of their performances:

• Jones County holds a 2-2 record against these opponents, with wins over White River (40-37) and Colome (50-17). However, they were unable to overcome Lyman, suffering a loss (53-44) in their most recent matchup.
• Gregory, on the other hand, has been dominant against the same opponents, winning all four matchups, including decisive victories over White River (69-39), Colome (64-2), and Lyman (72-60 on both January 9 and January 27).

These results further highlight the disparity in the two teams’ performances this season, with Gregory showing more consistency and dominance against their rivals.

Conclusion

As the season continues, Gregory appears poised for a deep run in the postseason, with a perfect regional record and solid overall play. Their balanced offensive and defensive performances have been the key to their success.

In contrast, Jones County faces an uphill battle. While they have strong individual performances, particularly from Jace Nix, they need to improve both their offensive and defensive consistency to climb the standings. If they can find a way to strengthen their defense and capitalize on their scoring opportunities, they may still have a shot at turning the season around.

The matchups between these teams, especially with common opponents, highlight the difference in their overall performance and ability to execute in critical moments. Gregory’s undefeated regional record shows their capability, while Jones County will need to make adjustments to remain competitive.