The James F. Byrnes varsity basketball team from Duncan, SC, will host a home conference game against Wade Hampton from Greenville, SC, today at 5:30 PM.

Here’s what you need Basketball to know:

What: South Carolina High School Basketball
Who: James F. Byrnes vs Wade Hampton
When: Saturday, January 4, 2025
Time: 5:30. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch Here

Don’t miss the action as these teams face off in an exciting matchup

Basketball Showdown: Wade Hampton vs. James F. Byrnes – A Clash of Contrasts

As the Wade Hampton (Greenville, SC) varsity basketball team gears up to face the undefeated James F. Byrnes (Duncan, SC) squad in an away conference game, basketball enthusiasts eagerly anticipate a battle of skill, strategy, and determination. Slated for a 5:30 PM tip-off, this matchup is more than just a game—it’s a story of contrasts between two teams with vastly different records and performances this season.

Team Records and Performance

The 2024-2025 season has been a tale of ups and downs for Wade Hampton, with a 2-4 record overall. Their home performance stands at 1-2, and they’ve struggled in neutral settings with a 1-2 record. Wade Hampton’s scoring average of 60.2 points per game is respectable but pales in comparison to James F. Byrnes’ explosive 79.5 points per game.

On the other hand, James F. Byrnes boasts an immaculate 13-0 record, with dominance in every setting—6-0 at home, 2-0 away, and 5-0 in neutral venues. Their perfect win percentage of 1.000 reflects not only their scoring efficiency but also their defensive prowess, outscoring opponents by an average margin of 247 points (1,034 points scored vs. 787 allowed).

Head-to-Head Matchup

This game will be the first of two scheduled conference meetings between these teams. The second game is set to take place at Wade Hampton on January 28, 2025. While history isn’t on Wade Hampton’s side, this matchup presents an opportunity to test their mettle against one of the top teams in the state.

Statistical Comparison

Scoring Averages by Quarter:

• Wade Hampton tends to ramp up in the latter half, scoring an average of 18.0 points in the third quarter and 21.0 points in the fourth.
• James F. Byrnes, however, maintains consistency, scoring nearly 20 points per quarter.

Team Stats:

• Points per Game: James F. Byrnes leads with 79.2 PPG compared to Wade Hampton’s 60.2.
• Rebounds per Game: Byrnes again outpaces Hampton, 33.6 to an unspecified average.
• Assists per Game: Byrnes (19.6) excels in facilitating ball movement, whereas Wade Hampton is led by Colt Fowler’s 12.5 APG.

Individual Leaders: Wade Hampton relies heavily on Colt Fowler, their standout player, who averages 16.5 points, 12.5 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. Evan Enos leads in rebounds with 7.2 per game, while Jamari Cullen averages 1.1 blocks.

James F. Byrnes spreads the load more evenly, contributing to their balanced and consistent scoring across the board.

Performance Against Common Opponents

The stark difference in performance becomes evident when comparing results against common opponents:

• Wade Hampton is 0-2, suffering losses to J.L. Mann and Gaffney.
• James F. Byrnes is 3-0, defeating J.L. Mann twice and boasting a decisive win over Gaffney.

Keys to the Game

Wade Hampton:

• Containment Defense: They’ll need to limit Byrnes’ scoring opportunities and force turnovers.
• Third-Quarter Surge: Leveraging their strong third-quarter performance will be critical.
• Colt Fowler’s Leadership: Fowler must deliver a standout performance, both scoring and facilitating.

James F. Byrnes:

• Maintain Consistency: Their balanced scoring and rebounding have been their strengths all season.
• Defensive Pressure: With their superior steals and blocks per game, Byrnes can stifle Hampton’s offense.
• Home Court Advantage: Playing on familiar turf gives them a significant edge.

Prediction

With a flawless record and dominant performances, James F. Byrnes enters this game as the clear favorite. However, Wade Hampton has shown resilience, particularly in late-game scenarios. If they can find a way to slow down Byrnes’ high-powered offense and capitalize on their own strengths, they could pose a challenge.

Basketball fans won’t want to miss this high-energy conference clash as these two teams face off in what promises to be an exciting game!