The Grove City (OH) varsity basketball team is set to host St. Francis DeSales (Columbus, OH) in a home non-conference game today at 5:00 PM.
Here’s what you need Basketball to know:
What: Ohio High School Basketball
Who: Grove City vs St. Francis DeSales
When: Saturday, December 28, 2024,
Time: 5:00. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch Here
St. Francis DeSales vs. Grove City: A Comparative Analysis of the 2024-25 Season
The 2024-25 basketball season has been a tale of contrasting fortunes for St. Francis DeSales and Grove City. Both teams, competing in Ohio high school basketball, showcase different strengths, weaknesses, and trajectories, as highlighted by their records, team statistics, and player performances.
Season Overview
St. Francis DeSales:
- Record: 5-1 overall
- Home Record: 4-1
- Away Record: 1-0
- Win Percentage: .833
- Points For (PF): 407
- Points Against (PA): 315
St. Francis DeSales has enjoyed a strong season, securing five wins in six games. Their ability to perform both at home and away has been key to their success, with a win percentage of 83.3%. They’ve displayed offensive firepower, averaging 67.8 points per game, while maintaining a solid defense.
Grove City:
- Record: 2-5 overall
- Home Record: 1-2
- Away Record: 1-3
- Win Percentage: .286
- Conference Record: 0-3
- Points For (PF): 399
- Points Against (PA): 428
In contrast, Grove City has struggled to find consistency, with just two wins in seven games and a win percentage of 28.6%. Their conference performance has been particularly challenging, going winless in three games. Despite their difficulties, they average 57.0 points per game, showing potential for offensive improvement.
Scoring Averages by Quarter
- St. Francis DeSales: Maintains a high-scoring average of 67.8 points per game, indicating balanced contributions across quarters.
- Grove City: Scores 57.0 points per game, with their strongest quarter being the third, where they average 17.2 points. However, they struggle to maintain this momentum consistently across games.
Statistical Comparison
| Category | St. Francis DeSales | Grove City |
|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game | – | 56.3 |
| Rebounds Per Game | – | 6.3 |
| Assists Per Game | – | 3.7 |
| Steals Per Game | – | 2.6 |
| Blocks Per Game | – | 0.6 |
Grove City lags behind St. Francis DeSales in several key areas, particularly in defensive statistics like steals and blocks, which contribute to their struggles in containing opponents.
Team Leaders
St. Francis DeSales:
- Points Per Game: Jacob Saxton (15.7)
- Rebounds Per Game: Jacob Saxton (1.6)
- Assists Per Game: Jacob Saxton (0.7)
- Steals Per Game: Peyton Devoe (1.0)
- Blocks Per Game: Parker Toadvine (0.6)
Jacob Saxton is the standout player for St. Francis DeSales, leading in points, rebounds, and assists per game. His all-around contributions have been pivotal to the team’s success.
Grove City:
- Points Per Game: 5.2 (National Avg. 5.2)
- Rebounds Per Game: 2.8
- Assists Per Game: 1.1
- Steals Per Game: 0.9
- Blocks Per Game: 0.3
While Grove City’s team leaders put forth a solid effort, their stats fall short of national averages and fail to match the impact of their St. Francis DeSales counterparts.
Head-to-Head and Common Opponents
Both teams have yet to face each other this season, but comparisons against common opponents reveal interesting insights. St. Francis DeSales holds a 1-1 record against shared teams, including a victory over Thomas Worthington (63-48) and a loss to Upper Arlington (59-51). Grove City, on the other hand, fell short in their only matchup with a common opponent, losing to Westerville Central (63-52).
Key Insights
- St. Francis DeSales’ Consistency: With a strong offensive output and balanced team contributions, St. Francis DeSales has positioned itself as a formidable contender in the season. Their ability to capitalize on home games and perform in close contests has been critical.
- Grove City’s Struggles: Despite moments of promise, Grove City’s inability to close games, particularly in conference play, has hindered their progress. Addressing their defensive lapses and enhancing team chemistry could be the key to turning their season around.
- Star Player Impact: The contributions of Jacob Saxton have been instrumental for St. Francis DeSales, making him a player to watch in future games. Grove City lacks a comparable standout, highlighting a need for a leader to step up.
Conclusion
The 2024-25 season has been a story of dominance for St. Francis DeSales and challenges for Grove City. As the season progresses, St. Francis DeSales will aim to maintain their momentum, while Grove City will look to regroup and bounce back. This contrast in performance sets the stage for a potentially exciting matchup should these two teams face off in the future.
