As we move deeper into the 2024-2025 season, a pivotal matchup between Cherry Creek and Highlands Ranch is drawing attention, particularly given their contrasting records, styles of play, and individual performances. The two teams have faced different levels of success, with Cherry Creek struggling to maintain consistency and Highlands Ranch dominating in various aspects of the game.

Team Records & Performance

Cherry Creek enters this season with a mixed record of 4-5, boasting a .444 win percentage. The team has a solid home performance with a 2-3 record but remains unpredictable on the road, going 0-0 in neutral games and 2-2 at home. While they’ve been competitive, their overall point differential (521 PF, 484 PA) indicates a team that can score but struggles defensively.

In stark contrast, Highlands Ranch is one of the state’s top teams, holding a formidable 9-1 record with a win percentage of .900. Their dominant performance includes a perfect 5-0 on the road and 4-0 in neutral site games. With 618 points scored and 453 points allowed, Highlands Ranch has shown a well-rounded game with efficient offense and defense.

Team Scoring Breakdown

Looking at how the two teams fare in different quarters, Cherry Creek scores an average of 57.9 points per game, with most of their points coming in the second half. Their highest-scoring quarter is the fourth, where they average 16.8 points. Highlands Ranch, however, is more consistent throughout the game, putting up 61.8 points per game with a balanced scoring output in all four quarters. Their strongest quarter is the third, where they average 16.6 points.

Key Players

Both teams feature players who can turn the game in their favor. For Cherry Creek, Ezra Simonich leads the team with 15.6 points per game and 2.2 steals. Additionally, Jayda Rogers is a key presence in the paint with an average of 6.4 rebounds per game. The team’s Tori Baker leads in assists with 5.3 per game, making her a playmaker for the team.

On the other hand, Highlands Ranch has Riley Cooper averaging 18.7 points per game, contributing to their offensive success. Emma Walker is another player to watch, as she leads with 7.1 rebounds per game, while Mia Martin excels at facilitating, dishing out 4.5 assists per game.

Common Opponents

Looking at common opponents between the two teams, the matchup against Legend is noteworthy. On 12/14/24, Cherry Creek faced Legend at home and lost 68-55, whereas Highlands Ranch will face Legend on 2/18/25.

Both teams will also go head-to-head with Rock Canyon, with Cherry Creek set to play Rock Canyon at home on 1/14/25 and Highlands Ranch taking on them at home on 2/14/25. These games could provide insights into how they match up against similar competition.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Cherry Creek‘s strength lies in their ability to score, particularly in the second half, but their defensive struggles have been evident in their 484 points allowed. They’ll need to tighten up defensively if they hope to compete with teams like Highlands Ranch.

For Highlands Ranch, their defensive capabilities are matched by their potent offense. With a balanced scoring attack and depth, they seem poised to dominate not only locally but also in tougher matchups as the season progresses.

Conclusion

This season’s matchup between Cherry Creek and Highlands Ranch promises to be a battle of contrasting styles. While Cherry Creek seeks to find consistency, Highlands Ranch will look to extend its dominance. Fans can expect a thrilling contest when these two meet on the court. As they continue their respective campaigns, it’s clear that Highlands Ranch is the team to beat, but Cherry Creek’s explosive offense could be the wildcard that keeps things interesting.