As the high school basketball season heats up in Utah, two prominent teams, Hurricane and Desert Hills, are setting the stage for an exciting matchup this Friday, December 20, 2024. The Hurricane Tigers (5-3) will be visiting the Desert Hills Thunder (5-4) in a highly anticipated conference game in St. George, Utah. This article takes a look at the teams’ season so far, key player performances, and what to expect from the game.

Team Overview

• Hurricane Tigers: With a 5-3 record, Hurricane has been strong both at home (3-0) and on the road (2-3). The Tigers have displayed an impressive scoring ability, averaging 66.8 points per game. They have also shown resilience, with a balanced attack across all four quarters, scoring an average of 18.0 points in the first quarter and maintaining their performance throughout the game.
• Desert Hills Thunder: With a slightly lower win percentage of .556 (5-4), Desert Hills has had a mix of results at home (3-1) and on the road (2-3). The Thunder are averaging 52.3 points per game, with a stronger performance in the first quarter (15.0 points). However, they have struggled to maintain their scoring as the game progresses, especially in the later stages of the game, where they average just 10.6 points in the fourth quarter.

Key Players

• Hurricane:
  • Brigham Kemp is a standout player, leading the team in both points (17.1 PPG) and assists (6.1 APG).
  • Calan Hughes provides a strong presence on the boards, averaging 7.0 rebounds per game.
  • Quinn Gubler leads the team in steals with 2.3 per game.
• Desert Hills:
  • Ben Chase is the top scorer for Desert Hills, averaging 12.4 points per game. He also contributes with 5.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists.
  • Mason Rasmussen and Chaz Holbrook provide additional defensive strength, with Rasmussen averaging 5.7 rebounds and Holbrook adding 1.4 steals per game.

Stat Comparison

The comparison of team stats highlights some key differences between the two teams:

• Scoring: Hurricane has a significant edge in points per game (66.8 vs. 52.3).
• Rebounding: Hurricane also outperforms Desert Hills in rebounding, averaging 33.5 per game compared to 23.6.
• Assists & Steals: Hurricane leads in assists (13.3 per game vs. 10.1) and steals (9.4 per game vs. 5.9).
• Blocks: Hurricane holds a slight advantage in blocks, averaging 2.3 per game compared to Desert Hills’ 1.7.

Head-to-Head History and Common Opponents

Both teams have had success against common opponents this season:

• Hurricane defeated Sky View 69-62 and Richfield 66-62, while Desert Hills also posted wins against Sky View (45-43) and Richfield (61-52).
• The two teams will face off against each other later in the season, with a return match scheduled for January 29, 2025, at Hurricane’s home court.

What to Expect

• Hurricane’s Strength: The Tigers’ high-scoring offense and depth should give them an advantage, especially if they continue their strong play in the first half. Look for them to dominate early with a fast-paced game.
• Desert Hills’ Defense: Desert Hills will need to tighten its defense, particularly in the second half, to limit Hurricane’s offensive output. The Thunder must improve their performance in the fourth quarter to have a chance against a team like Hurricane.

Upcoming Matchups

• Hurricane’s Schedule: After this game, the Tigers will face off against Dixie on December 18 and Canyon View on December 28.
• Desert Hills’ Schedule: The Thunder will host Dixie on January 15, followed by a trip to Pine View on January 22.

Conclusion

The Hurricane vs. Desert Hills game promises to be an exciting contest, with both teams looking to make a statement. With Hurricane’s high-powered offense and Desert Hills’ defensive grit, the game could go either way. Be sure to tune in for what is expected to be a thrilling high school basketball showdown!