The Upton (WY) varsity basketball team will play a neutral tournament game against Hot Springs (SD) today at 7:30 p.m.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Wyoming High School Basketball
Who: Hot Springs vs Upton
When: Friday, January 17, 2025
Time: 7:30. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here

Game Preview: Hot Springs vs Upton

The 2024-2025 high school basketball season in Wyoming is seeing strong performances from teams across the state. Among the top contenders, Hot Springs and Upton stand out with contrasting records, each showcasing their unique strengths.

Hot Springs: Struggling to Find Form

Hot Springs High School’s basketball team, hailing from South Dakota, has faced challenges throughout the season. With an overall record of 1-5, their performance has been a mixed bag of home and away results. At home, they are 1-3, while their road games have been difficult, leaving them with an 0-2 record. Their win percentage stands at .167, a reflection of their struggle to keep pace with their competition.

Despite these challenges, Hot Springs has shown signs of resilience in their scoring averages. The team scores an average of 48.5 points per game, with a steady increase in points throughout the game—5.5 in the first quarter, 9.5 in the second, 10.0 in the third, and 13.5 in the final quarter. This late-game surge suggests a team that fights hard, even when the odds are against them.

Defensively, Hot Springs has given up an average of 355 points over the course of the season, leaving them with a negative point differential (291 PF, 355 PA). Their next steps involve refining both their offensive and defensive plays to remain competitive for the rest of the season.

Upton: Dominating the Season

In stark contrast to Hot Springs, Upton High School’s basketball team has been a force to be reckoned with in Wyoming. The team has an impressive 8-0 overall record, with a perfect 6-0 record in non-league play and a 1-0 record in league games. Their conference performance is flawless, with the team showing dominance in every aspect of the game.

Upton’s performance is not limited to just winning games—they have been exceptionally efficient, with a strong offensive output. The team averages 56.6 points per game, starting strong with 15.0 points in the first quarter and maintaining a consistent scoring rate through the rest of the game (9.0 in Q2, 12.0 in Q3, and 12.0 in Q4). This scoring consistency is backed by their stifling defense, as they have allowed only 219 points in total, resulting in a significant point differential (453 PF, 219 PA).

In addition to their perfect conference and non-conference records, Upton has been dominant in all areas. They boast a flawless 6-0 record in neutral-site games, indicating their ability to perform in various settings and conditions. They are currently ranked 4th in Wyoming’s Class 1A and show no signs of slowing down as they look to continue their winning ways throughout the remainder of the season.

Key Comparisons

• Hot Springs: 1-5 overall, 1-3 at home, 0-2 away, 48.5 points per game (PF), 355 points allowed (PA)
• Upton: 8-0 overall, 1-0 league, 6-0 non-league, 56.6 points per game (PF), 219 points allowed (PA)

While both teams have faced challenges, Upton’s early dominance has them positioned as one of the state’s top teams, while Hot Springs will need to make adjustments in order to improve their performance moving forward.

Conclusion

As the Wyoming basketball season progresses, Hot Springs and Upton’s journeys highlight the varied experiences teams go through. Upton’s flawless record and high-powered offense make them a team to watch in the coming weeks, while Hot Springs will be hoping to turn their season around with adjustments to their strategy. Only time will tell how the rest of the season unfolds, but both teams are integral parts of Wyoming’s high school basketball landscape.