The Johnston (RI) varsity basketball team will host a home conference game against Lincoln (RI) today at 6 p.m.

Game Details:

• Teams: Lincoln vs Johnston
• Date: Saturday, January 25, 2025
• Time: 6:00 p.m.
• Live stream: Watch Here
• Live stream: Watch Here

Lincoln vs. Johnston: A Comparison of Basketball Teams in the 2024-2025 Season

The 2024-2025 basketball season has seen a stark contrast between two teams in Rhode Island—Lincoln and Johnston. While Lincoln has enjoyed a successful season, Johnston has struggled, failing to secure any wins. Let’s break down the key statistics and performances of both teams to understand their contrasting seasons.

Lincoln’s Impressive Season

Lincoln, with a record of 9-6 overall and 9-5 in league play, has demonstrated strong performance throughout the season. The team has been particularly effective on home and away games, both of which have a balanced record of 4-3. Their neutral game was perfect with a 1-0 record, which highlights their versatility across different environments. Lincoln has scored a total of 841 points, averaging 56.1 points per game, while allowing 804 points, which gives them a +37 point differential.

One standout player for Lincoln is Gianni Pagios, who has led the team with an impressive 21.5 points per game. Pagios also contributes with 4.0 assists per game, showing his all-around skill set. The team’s second-leading scorer, Jarett Ohagan, has been dominant on the boards, pulling down 8.0 rebounds per game. The well-rounded team also benefits from solid defense, as Andrew Picozzi contributes with 2.7 steals per game.

In their games against common opponents, Lincoln has proven their strength, boasting a 7-3 record against teams they share with Johnston, including notable wins over Cumberland (62-48) and Smithfield (56-46). This successful record is indicative of Lincoln’s ability to compete against tough competition.

Johnston’s Struggles

On the other hand, Johnston has faced a more challenging season. With a dismal 0-12 record overall and 0-10 in league play, the team has struggled to find success both at home (0-3) and on the road (0-9). Johnston has only been able to average 46.3 points per game, while conceding 825 points, leaving them with a point differential of -269.

Johnston’s offense has been inconsistent, and their key players have struggled to put up significant numbers. The team’s leading scorer is unlisted, which highlights the lack of standout individual performances this season. As a result, Johnston has failed to keep up with opponents, falling to teams like Cumberland (81-42) and Westerly (69-55).

Their inability to secure wins against common opponents further underscores their challenges, with a record of 0-6 in games against teams they share with Lincoln.

Team Comparisons

Looking at the key team statistics, Lincoln excels across multiple facets of the game. With an average of 19.1 points per game, Lincoln’s offensive firepower far outweighs Johnston’s offensive output. Lincoln also leads in rebounds (8.5 per game) and assists (3.5 per game), providing further evidence of their strong team play.

In terms of individual performances, Lincoln has a more well-rounded roster, with multiple contributors across different statistical categories. The team’s defense has been solid, averaging 2.6 steals and 0.4 blocks per game.

Record Breakdown

• Lincoln’s Strengths:
  • Overall Record: 9-6
  • League Record: 9-5
  • Home and Away Success: Balanced 4-3 records at home and on the road
  • Strong Play Against Common Opponents: 7-3 record vs. shared opponents with Johnston
• Johnston’s Challenges:
  • Overall Record: 0-12
  • League Record: 0-10
  • Struggles Across the Board: 0-9 on the road and 0-3 at home
  • Difficulty Against Common Opponents: 0-6 vs. teams that both Johnston and Lincoln have faced

Looking Ahead

As the season progresses, Lincoln looks poised to continue their successful run, especially as they maintain a strong offensive and defensive balance. Their next games, including matchups against Bishop Hendricken, will be critical for solidifying their playoff hopes.

For Johnston, the focus will likely be on improving their offensive and defensive efficiency. While a winless record is challenging, there is still room for growth, and their next few games provide opportunities to gain experience and hopefully secure some victories.

Conclusion

The 2024-2025 season has revealed a clear disparity between Lincoln and Johnston. While Lincoln has performed consistently, demonstrating strength on both ends of the court, Johnston faces significant challenges in finding their rhythm. Lincoln’s success in key areas like scoring, defense, and rebounding gives them an edge heading into the remainder of the season, while Johnston will need a drastic turnaround to remain competitive.