The Keene High School varsity basketball team will host Salem High School for a conference game today, Friday, January 17, 2025, at 7:00 PM.
Matchup Details:
- Teams: Salem vs Keene
- Date & Time: Friday, January 17, 2025, at 7:00 PM
- Location: Keene High School
- Live stream: Watch Here
A Comparative Look at Salem and Keene High School Basketball Teams: 2024-2025 Season
As the 2024-2025 basketball season unfolds, two teams in New Hampshire are making waves in the NH Division standings: Salem and Keene. Both schools boast competitive records, but their paths to success and their overall performances reveal contrasting styles and strengths. Here’s a detailed look at the current standings, team statistics, and head-to-head matchups between the Salem Blue Devils and the Keene Blackbirds.
Team Records and Performance Overview
Salem
- Overall Record: 3-4
- League Record: 3-4
- Home Record: 1-2
- Away Record: 1-2
- Neutral Record: 1-0
- Win Percentage: 42.9%
- League Win Percentage: 42.9%
- Points For: 444
- Points Against: 439
The Salem Blue Devils have had a rough start to the season with an overall record of 3 wins and 4 losses. They’ve been competitive in their league games, but with only a 42.9% win rate, consistency has been an issue. Their offensive play has been relatively balanced, scoring an average of 63.4 points per game. Defensively, they’ve allowed 439 points across 7 games, a reflection of their struggle to close out games.
Keene
- Overall Record: 7-1
- League Record: 6-1
- Home Record: 3-0
- Away Record: 3-1
- Neutral Record: 1-0
- Win Percentage: 87.5%
- League Win Percentage: 85.7%
- Points For: 565
- Points Against: 421
Keene, on the other hand, has been dominating the season with a remarkable 7-1 overall record and an 87.5% win rate. Their performance in both league play (6-1) and non-league games (1-0) has been strong. Averaging 70.6 points per game, the Blackbirds have proven to be an offensive powerhouse while holding their opponents to 421 points—a strong defensive effort that complements their scoring ability.
Scoring Averages
Salem: 63.4 points per game
Keene: 70.6 points per game
Keene’s higher scoring average of 70.6 points per game reflects their offensive efficiency and depth. In contrast, Salem’s average of 63.4 points shows that while they can keep games close, they struggle to match up offensively with high-scoring teams like Keene.
Common Opponents and Head-to-Head Comparison
Both teams have faced several common opponents throughout the season, providing an interesting comparison of how they perform against the same competition.
- Salem vs. Goffstown: Salem lost to Goffstown 72-66 on December 19, 2024, while Keene triumphed 85-57 on January 7, 2025.
- Salem vs. Manchester Memorial: Salem lost 84-71 on January 3, 2025, but Keene fell short in their encounter, losing 61-58 on December 16, 2024.
- Salem vs. Merrimack: Salem secured a dominant win, 69-29, on January 7, 2025, while Keene edged Merrimack 72-68 in a closely contested game on December 13, 2024.
- Salem vs. Alvirne: Salem won 71-66 on January 14, 2025, while Keene defeated Alvirne 59-48 on December 19, 2024.
Despite Salem’s competitive performances against various teams, Keene’s superior record (6-1 vs. common opponents) and larger margins of victory against teams like Goffstown and Merrimack indicate their potential as a more dominant force in the league this season.
Upcoming Matchups
Both teams still have several key games ahead in their schedules:
- Salem has upcoming games against Nashua South, Pinkerton, Bishop Guertin, Windham, and others. These matchups could be crucial for the Blue Devils to rebound and improve their standings.
- Keene will face teams like Londonderry, Nashua South, and Bedford, among others. With their impressive record, Keene is positioned well to continue their success and maintain their top-tier status in the league.
Conclusion
As we progress into the latter part of the 2024-2025 basketball season, it’s clear that Keene has the edge over Salem in both performance and consistency. With a higher win percentage, stronger scoring offense, and better defensive record, the Blackbirds are a formidable team. However, Salem still has the potential to cause upsets, especially as they build on their recent victories. As both teams prepare for their remaining matchups, the outcome of these games could have a significant impact on the NH Division standings.
