The Hot Springs (SD) varsity basketball team will play a home non-conference game against Pine Ridge (SD) on Friday, January 10, 2025, at 7:30 p.m.

Here’s what you need Basketball to know:

What: South Dakota High School Basketball
Who: Hot Springs vs Pine Ridge
When: Friday, January 10, 2025
Time: 7:30. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch Here

Pine Ridge vs. Hot Springs: Team Breakdown and Comparison

As we look at the 2024-2025 basketball season for both Pine Ridge and Hot Springs, there are key stats and trends that stand out. Here’s a breakdown of each team’s performance, head-to-head comparisons, and overall rankings.

Pine Ridge: A Strong Yet Inconsistent Team

Pine Ridge enters the 2024-2025 season with a 5-6 overall record, showing some ups and downs. The team has performed decently at home, where they are undefeated with a 1-0 record. However, their performance on the road leaves much to be desired, with a 0-2 record, and they are .500 at neutral sites with a 4-4 record.

• Scoring Average: Pine Ridge averages 64.0 points per game.
• Points Breakdown by Quarter: The team has a solid offensive presence, averaging 17.4 points in the first quarter, 17.8 points in the second, 19.4 points in the third, and 19.6 points in the fourth, showing a strong finish to their games.

Pine Ridge is led by standout player Marvin Richard III, who is averaging an impressive 35.2 points per game. Richard also dominates in other categories, leading the team with 5.9 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 3.2 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game. His all-around performance is critical to the team’s success.

Hot Springs: Struggling to Find Form

Hot Springs has had a challenging season so far, with a 0-3 overall record, which indicates difficulties in both home and away games. At home, they are 0-1, while their road performance is equally disappointing with a 0-2 record.

• Scoring Average: Hot Springs is struggling to put up points, with an average of only 41.0 points per game. This represents a significant gap compared to their competitors, especially teams like Pine Ridge.
• Lack of Statistical Leadership: Hot Springs does not have standout leaders across key categories. Their lack of individual performances that stand out is a key reason for their struggles this season.

Statistical Comparison

Pine Ridge clearly has a more robust offensive game, averaging 66.4 points per game, far outpacing Hot Springs’ 41.0 points. Their players also show better all-around performances:

• Pine Ridge: Averaging 24.2 rebounds, 15.6 assists, 10.1 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game.
• Hot Springs: The statistical breakdown for Hot Springs is not provided, but their struggles are evident in both scoring and key statistics like assists and steals.

Key Players

• Marvin Richard III (Pine Ridge) is the clear leader for Pine Ridge, contributing heavily in every major stat. His ability to dominate both offensively and defensively is a key factor in Pine Ridge’s competitive edge.
• Hot Springs lacks a player who has made a notable impact across multiple statistical categories, further highlighting their struggles this season.

Head-to-Head and Common Opponents

When comparing their performance against common opponents:

• Pine Ridge: Has faced teams like Custer, Rapid City Christian, Mahpiya Luta, and Lakota Tech. Their record against these teams is 1-1, which shows they are capable of competing.
• Hot Springs: Has yet to face all of the same opponents as Pine Ridge, with games scheduled against Custer, Rapid City Christian, Mahpiya Luta, and Lakota Tech. This gives them a chance to learn from Pine Ridge’s matchups.

Record Breakdown

• Pine Ridge:
  • Home: 1-0
  • Away: 0-2
  • Neutral: 4-4
  • Overall: 5-6
• Hot Springs:
  • Home: 0-1
  • Away: 0-2
  • Overall: 0-3

Conclusion

Pine Ridge appears to be in a stronger position compared to Hot Springs in the 2024-2025 season, based on their scoring ability, team leadership, and overall performance. Hot Springs will need to improve across multiple areas—particularly scoring and overall consistency—to turn their season around.

Pine Ridge’s ability to score in all quarters, combined with the exceptional performance of Marvin Richard III, gives them a distinct advantage going forward. Meanwhile, Hot Springs will have to regroup and strategize to become more competitive against their remaining opponents.