As the 2024-2025 basketball season progresses, two teams have stood out for their struggles in both league and non-league play: DMLK and Hinkley. Despite notable efforts from key players, both teams have faced difficult seasons, with poor records in league games and a lack of success against common opponents. Here’s a breakdown of their performance across various metrics.

DMLK’s Season Overview

• Record: DMLK has posted a 5-14 record overall, with a 3-9 mark in league play.
• Scoring: On average, DMLK scores 28.2 points per game, with the highest point output in the third quarter at 6.8 points per game. Despite their struggles, they continue to show offensive potential, averaging 5.6 points in the first quarter, although their scoring tends to dip in the final quarter (3.0).
• Key Players:
  • Tay Hugley leads the team with 7.8 points per game and 1.5 rebounds. Hugley is a crucial part of DMLK’s scoring ability and has been a standout performer despite the team’s overall record.
  • Ashley Rodriguez contributes 1.4 steals per game, providing defensive support.

DMLK’s overall performance has been inconsistent, as reflected in their losses against tough opponents. Their common opponents’ record stands at 0-5, including losses to Gateway, Regis Groff, and Lincoln.

Hinkley’s Season Struggles

• Record: Hinkley’s season has been challenging, with a 0-19 record overall, unable to win a single league game (0-10). They’ve struggled to match the intensity and efficiency of other teams, with an average of just 11.9 points per game.
• Scoring: Hinkley has faced significant difficulties in generating offense. Their highest scoring quarter is the second (3.4 points), while their overall scoring output in the final quarter is just 2.6 points per game, showing a lack of sustained performance throughout games.
• Key Players:
  • Alexsandra Ortiz Hernandez has been the leading scorer with 3.9 points per game. Despite a lack of wins, Hernandez continues to play a crucial role in keeping the team competitive.
  • Ortiz Hernandez also contributes defensively, with 5.6 rebounds per game, although the team’s low rebounding totals (20.9 rebounds per game) indicate struggles in securing possession.

Hinkley shares the same common opponents’ record as DMLK, with an 0-5 record against teams like Gateway, Regis Groff, and Lincoln. The struggles are evident, as they’ve consistently fallen short, including a 50-25 loss to Gateway and a 71-9 defeat by Regis Groff.

Statistical Comparison

DMLK boasts a much higher scoring output, averaging more than double the points Hinkley scores per game. However, Hinkley has a notable edge in rebounding (20.9 rebounds per game) and steals (9.1 per game), suggesting a higher level of defensive intensity despite their struggles on offense.

Record Breakdown & Head-to-Head

• DMLK: 5-14 overall, 3-9 in league play
• Hinkley: 0-19 overall, 0-10 in league play

Both teams have faced difficult seasons, but DMLK has had a few bright spots with five total wins and a slightly better league record. Hinkley, still searching for their first victory, will need significant improvements in both offense and defense to turn their season around.

Against common opponents, both teams were winless, with DMLK and Hinkley each having a 0-5 record in such matchups. The teams also mirror each other in terms of struggles on the road, as both have not seen success in away games.

Looking Ahead

As the season continues, both DMLK and Hinkley will need to focus on strengthening their weaknesses. DMLK, with players like Tay Hugley, might look to improve their offensive consistency, particularly in the second half of games. Hinkley, on the other hand, will need to work on converting their defensive stops into scoring opportunities to have a shot at ending their winless streak.

While the season may not have gone as expected for either team, the potential for growth and improvement remains, and both will have the chance to develop their young talent as the season winds down.