The James Island (Charleston, SC) varsity basketball team will host Wando (Mt. Pleasant, SC) in a home tournament game today at 5:00 PM.

Here’s what you need Basketball to know:

What: South Carolina High School Basketball
Who: James Island vs Wando
When: Saturday, December 21, 2024
Time: 5:00. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch Here

Wando vs. James Island: A Season in Review

The 2024-2025 basketball season has been an eventful one for both Wando and James Island, two teams in South Carolina’s high school basketball scene. As the season progresses, the contrasting records, performances, and individual player contributions offer an intriguing comparison between these two teams.

Season Overview

Wando enters the 2024-2025 season with an overall record of 2-10, which includes a difficult stretch in both home and away games. The Warriors have struggled in several key areas, particularly with their defense and scoring consistency. With a win percentage of just 16.7%, they’ve faced challenges against tough opponents. Their season statistics reflect this difficulty, with an average of 53.9 points per game and 26.6 rebounds per game.

On the other hand, James Island has had a much more successful campaign so far, posting a 6-3 overall record, with a significantly stronger 66.7% win percentage. The team has performed especially well at home but also shows solid performances on the road. With an average of 58.7 points per game and 33.3 rebounds per game, the Trojans have demonstrated greater consistency both offensively and defensively.

Team Performance Breakdown

Looking deeper into the statistical comparisons between the two teams, James Island holds a noticeable edge in almost every category:

• Points per Game: James Island averages 58.7, a marked improvement over Wando’s 53.9.
• Rebounds: James Island has also been the stronger team on the boards, averaging 33.3 rebounds per game compared to Wando’s 26.6.
• Assists: The Trojans lead with 14.7 assists per game, while Wando lags behind with 11.3.
• Steals: Wando leads in steals, but the difference is minimal, with the Warriors averaging 7.1 steals per game against 6.6 by James Island.
• Blocks: James Island shows more presence defensively with 2.9 blocks per game compared to Wando’s 0.8.

Key Players

Both teams have standout players who have led by example in scoring, rebounding, and defense:

• For Wando, Owen Schafer leads the team with 9.4 points per game, while Sully Templeton averages 6.3 rebounds per game.
• Tait Horine, known for his defensive capabilities, contributes with 1.7 steals and 2.7 assists per game.
• For James Island, Gavin Ward has been the top scorer with 17.4 points per game, and Matthew Gladden leads in rebounds with 6.9 per game.
• Owen Adler has contributed with 4.2 assists per game, and Joshua Gladden provides additional defensive support with 1.9 steals per game.

Scoring Averages by Quarter

Both teams show notable scoring consistency throughout the game, but James Island’s fourth-quarter performance has been particularly strong:

• Wando scores an average of 54.3 points per game, with a strong third quarter at 16.3 points and solid contributions in the first and second quarters.
• James Island averages 57.2 points per game, with their most significant increase coming in the fourth quarter, where they average 14.8 points, slightly outpacing their first-quarter performance of 10.0.

Common Opponents

One area where the comparison between Wando and James Island becomes particularly interesting is their performance against common opponents. While Wando has struggled with a 0-3 record against these teams, James Island has found success, posting a 1-0 record so far. This includes a recent victory over Socastee on December 20, 2024, with a 61-47 win.

Additionally, both teams will face off against some of the same opponents later in the season, including West Ashley, Stall, and Lucy Beckham, which will provide further insight into how they measure up as the season continues.

Looking Ahead

As the season continues, both Wando and James Island will need to adjust their strategies. Wando’s struggles in key areas like scoring and rebounding will require a focus on improving consistency and execution, particularly on the defensive side. Meanwhile, James Island will look to continue building on its success with strong individual performances and a balanced team approach. The upcoming matchups will be crucial in determining if James Island can maintain its momentum or if Wando can turn things around and surprise their opponents.

For now, the contrasting fortunes of these two teams remain a key storyline in South Carolina basketball. With the season still unfolding, there is plenty of basketball left to be played, and the results will certainly shape the trajectory for both Wando and James Island as they look toward the future.