As the 2024-2025 high school basketball season heats up, two teams are dominating the scene in Virginia and Washington, D.C.: Highland and St. John’s. Both teams have shown exceptional performance, with Highland holding an impressive 17-4 record and St. John’s boasting an 11-3 record. This article compares the two teams, their statistics, key players, and performance so far in the season.

Highland’s Strong Performance

Highland has been a force to be reckoned with, maintaining a win percentage of .810 overall, with a perfect 4-0 record in their region. The team’s total points scored (1,380) and points allowed (1,200) highlight their strong offense and disciplined defense. Their highest scoring average comes from the fourth quarter, where they net 17.4 points per game, contributing significantly to their 65.7 points per game average.

Key players for Highland include Devin Toatley, who leads the team with 15.8 points per game, and Omari Witherspoon, who has 5.8 rebounds per game, contributing both on offense and defense. Geremy Clark is another standout, with 4.0 assists per game. The team’s dynamic play is evident from their wins at the prestigious 2024 John Wall Holiday Invitational, including victories over Westchester and Millbrook.

St. John’s: Consistent and Dominant

St. John’s has also impressed this season with a win percentage of .786, including an undefeated 2-0 league record. The team has scored 1,001 points while allowing only 725, showing their dominance on both ends of the court. Their offense is potent, averaging 71.5 points per game, with the highest scoring quarter being the second (19.7 points per game).

St. John’s boasts strong individual performances, with standout players like Devin Toatley, who averages 15.8 points per game, and Omari Witherspoon, who contributes both offensively and defensively with 1.5 steals per game and 5.8 rebounds. St. John’s had a decisive 80-58 victory over Bishop McNamara, further establishing their reputation as a top-tier team in the area.

Head-to-Head Comparison

When looking at common opponents, both teams have performed admirably. Highland has an overall 2-1 record against their shared opponents, including wins over Archbishop Carroll and Bishop McNamara, but suffered a narrow 53-50 loss to DeMatha. On the other hand, St. John’s has a perfect 2-0 record against common opponents, also defeating Bishop McNamara and Georgetown Prep by solid margins.

Home, Away, and Neutral Performance

Both teams have been dominant at home, with Highland going 6-0 and St. John’s maintaining a perfect 6-0 at their own court. Highland has proven resilient on the road with a 4-2 record, while St. John’s also holds an undefeated 2-0 mark on the road. Both teams share a strong ability to perform in neutral-site games as well, with Highland boasting a 7-2 record and St. John’s holding a more modest 3-3 record in such matchups.

Looking Ahead

The head-to-head record between these two teams is yet to be determined, with Highland and St. John’s set to face off in upcoming games, which will undoubtedly be highly anticipated by fans of high school basketball in Virginia and Washington, D.C.

As they both continue to navigate their respective schedules, it’s clear that both Highland and St. John’s are poised to make a deep run in the state and national rankings. Whether it’s Highland’s balanced scoring or St. John’s consistent defense and offense, these two teams will remain among the best to watch this season.

As the season progresses, their head-to-head matchups and potential playoff battles will provide plenty of exciting moments for fans and players alike. Both teams are shaping up to be contenders, and it will be thrilling to see how the remainder of the season unfolds for these basketball powerhouses.