The John F. Kennedy Catholic varsity basketball team (Warren, OH) will host a home conference game against Aquinas (Louisville, OH) today at 7:00 PM.

Here’s what you need to Basketball know:

What: Ohio High School Basketball
Who: John F. Kennedy Catholic vs Aquinas
When: Friday, December 20, 2024
Time: 7:00. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch Here

Basketball Showdown: Aquinas vs. John F. Kennedy Catholic

As the Aquinas (Louisville, OH) varsity basketball team prepares for an exciting away game at John F. Kennedy Catholic (Warren, OH) this evening at 7:00 p.m., basketball fans are eagerly anticipating a thrilling conference matchup. Both teams have had an interesting start to their 2024-2025 seasons, but there’s a notable difference in their performance so far, particularly in terms of scoring averages and overall team strength.

Aquinas (1-3) – A Strong Start, But Room for Improvement

The Aquinas basketball team, currently sitting at a 1-3 overall record, has struggled in their recent games but will be looking to turn things around as they face off against John F. Kennedy Catholic. Despite their record, Aquinas has shown some promise with a few solid individual performances. They have a total points per game (PPG) average of 55.3, but the team’s scoring tends to fluctuate throughout the game. Their first-quarter scoring is particularly weak, averaging just 8.0 points, while they significantly improve in the second (16.0) and third quarters (22.0), before dropping back down in the fourth (7.0).

Key player for Aquinas: Nick Ryan has been outstanding, leading the team in points per game (26.2), rebounds (13.2), steals (2.4), and assists (3.6). His presence on both ends of the floor will be critical for Aquinas in their upcoming game. However, Aquinas will need to step up as a team to match John F. Kennedy Catholic’s efficiency, especially in terms of shooting and consistency in the final quarter.

John F. Kennedy Catholic (4-1) – A Team on the Rise

John F. Kennedy Catholic comes into this game with an impressive 4-1 overall record. The team has been dominant so far, especially in their conference games, where they hold a perfect 1.0 conference win percentage. Their scoring average stands at a strong 71.8 points per game, nearly 16 points higher than Aquinas, and they have been more consistent throughout their games, with solid scoring outputs across all four quarters. JFK averages 15.8 points in the first quarter, and they keep up the pressure with 16.3 in the second, 19.3 in the third, and 19.0 in the fourth. This balanced approach could give them an edge against Aquinas, who has been prone to lapses in scoring during critical moments.

JFK’s star player, Dom Ryan, has been instrumental in their success, averaging 5.3 points per game and contributing 3.6 assists. His ability to distribute the ball has helped the team find success, and his leadership on the court will be crucial in their quest to stay perfect in the conference.

Team Comparison

• Points per Game: Aquinas (55.3) vs. John F. Kennedy Catholic (71.8) – JFK has a clear advantage in scoring.
• Rebounds per Game: Aquinas (33.0) vs. John F. Kennedy Catholic (33.0) – Both teams are evenly matched here.
• Assists per Game: Aquinas (15.6) vs. John F. Kennedy Catholic (15.6) – Both teams share the same average assists.
• Steals per Game: Aquinas (10.4) vs. John F. Kennedy Catholic (10.4) – Another area where the teams are evenly matched.
• Blocks per Game: Aquinas (1.2) vs. John F. Kennedy Catholic (1.2) – Equally matched in this stat as well.

Both teams are well-rounded, but John F. Kennedy Catholic’s offensive firepower and scoring depth may give them an edge in this matchup.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced similar opponents, and they have both posted wins against teams like Rootstown and Mogadore. However, JFK has had more consistency in their victories, while Aquinas has struggled against some of the same opponents. This disparity in performance could play a major role in their upcoming games.

Record Breakdown

Aquinas (1-3)

• Conference Record: 1-0
• Home Record: 0-2
• Away Record: 1-1

John F. Kennedy Catholic (4-1)

• Conference Record: 1-0
• Home Record: 1-0
• Away Record: 2-1

The Upcoming Matchup

As Aquinas faces John F. Kennedy Catholic today, they’ll be looking to capitalize on their strengths, particularly their individual standout players like Nick Ryan. However, they’ll need to shore up their scoring consistency, especially in the early and late stages of the game, to compete with the high-scoring JFK team.

JFK enters the game as the favorite, with a more balanced attack and a solid conference record. They’ve been dominant on both sides of the ball, and their ability to put up points in all four quarters will put pressure on Aquinas to keep pace.

Game Time: 7:00 p.m. – A thrilling conference showdown awaits.

The game is set for tonight at 7:00 p.m., and fans can expect an exciting match full of energy and intensity. With both teams gearing up for the challenge, this game could serve as a turning point for either side in the 2024-2025 season.