The Heathwood Hall Episcopal (Columbia, SC) varsity basketball team will play a neutral non-conference game against Laurence Manning Academy (Manning, SC) today at 7:30 PM.

Here’s what you need to know Basketball:

What: South Carolina High School Basketball
Who: Heathwood Hall Episcopal vs Laurence Manning Academy
When: Friday, December 13, 2024
Time: 7:30. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch Here

A Tale of Two Teams: Laurence Manning Academy vs. Heathwood Hall Episcopal

As the 2024-2025 basketball season progresses, two standout teams in South Carolina’s high school basketball landscape are Laurence Manning Academy and Heathwood Hall Episcopal. With impressive records and some exciting head-to-head matchups looming, these teams have already proven to be forces to reckon with. Here’s a closer look at how they stack up, their performance so far, and what fans can expect moving forward.

Overall Performance

Laurence Manning Academy (3-1) has had a strong start to the season but has faced some challenges, particularly at home. Despite a loss to Cardinal Newman on December 4th, they’ve displayed strong potential with a good showing away from home. Their offense, averaging 46.3 points per game, has been efficient, although they have room for improvement in both scoring consistency and overall defense.

Heathwood Hall Episcopal, with a record of 7-2, has been dominating the court this season. They have proven themselves formidable both at home and on the road, with a 5-1 record at home and a 1-0 mark in neutral-site games. Their 61.1 points per game lead the team in scoring, making them one of the top offensive teams in the state.

Scoring and Stat Comparison

When comparing the two teams, Heathwood Hall stands out for its offensive prowess. Laurence Manning Academy has a more modest offensive output, scoring just 46.3 points per game, far below Heathwood Hall’s impressive average of 61.1 points. The difference in scoring reflects the higher-powered offense of Heathwood Hall, which has a balanced attack throughout the game, especially in the second half, where they average 17.4 points in the fourth quarter.

Rebounding is an area where Laurence Manning Academy has an edge. They average 30 rebounds per game, led by Henry Morris, who is also their top scorer with 16.1 points per game. Meanwhile, Heathwood Hall Episcopal averages fewer rebounds (30 per game), but their defense and ball movement keep them competitive. Morris’ dominance on the boards and as a defensive force (1.9 steals per game, 0.8 blocks per game) is a key factor for Laurence Manning Academy.

Assists also reveal an important distinction between the teams. Laurence Manning Academy excels in ball movement, averaging 13.1 assists per game, led by Kamauri Hunter with 5.4 assists per game. Heathwood Hall, however, is more focused on scoring, with fewer assists (13.1) and an overall more balanced team performance.

Team Leaders

• Laurence Manning Academy:
  • Points per game: Nic Nichols – 16.1
  • Rebounds per game: Henry Morris – 6.7
  • Assists per game: Kamauri Hunter – 5.4
  • Steals per game: Henry Morris – 1.9
  • Blocks per game: Henry Morris – 0.8
• Heathwood Hall Episcopal:
  • Points per game: Multiple players contributing to their offensive depth
  • Rebounds per game: Led by key players
  • Assists per game: Solid team distribution
  • Steals per game: Multiple contributors to defense

Heathwood Hall’s scoring depth and overall balanced play make them a tough matchup, but Laurence Manning’s standout individual performances, particularly from Morris, offer the potential for an upset.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced a few common opponents, and the results highlight their differing styles. Laurence Manning Academy has had a difficult time against teams like Cardinal Newman, suffering a loss in their meeting on December 4th. Meanwhile, Heathwood Hall Episcopal has found success against their common opponents, winning both games against Cardinal Newman and other teams like Hammond.

Notably, the upcoming games against teams like Pinewood Prep, Camden Military, and Hilton Head Christian Academy will be key tests for both programs. These matchups will give us a better idea of how they perform against similar levels of competition.

Head-to-Head Record Breakdown

While both teams boast impressive records, their performance against common opponents and head-to-head matchups will be crucial. Currently, Heathwood Hall Episcopal has a strong edge in this area, maintaining an undefeated record against their shared competitors. On the other hand, Laurence Manning Academy has yet to record a win in their head-to-head encounters with the same teams.

Looking Ahead

With a mix of established talent and promising young players, both Laurence Manning Academy and Heathwood Hall Episcopal have the potential to make deep playoff runs. Laurence Manning Academy will need to focus on improving their scoring output and leveraging their rebounding and defensive strengths. In contrast, Heathwood Hall will need to maintain its high-scoring offense while tightening up defense to ensure their record remains strong throughout the season.

Fans of South Carolina high school basketball will certainly want to watch these teams as they continue to square off against tough opponents in the weeks to come. Expect exciting matchups, strong individual performances, and perhaps a few surprises as these two programs continue to grow and compete at the highest level.