The Wasatch Academy varsity basketball team from Mt. Pleasant, UT, has a neutral conference game against La Lumiere from La Porte, IN, today at 7 PM.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: Utah High School Basketball
Who: La Lumiere vs Wasatch
When: Today, January 18, 2025
Time: 7:00. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here
Game Preview: La Lumiere vs Wasatch
The Utah high school basketball season is heating up, and one of the most competitive teams in the state is Wasatch Academy. With a solid record of 14-5 overall and 4-3 in regional play, the Tigers are proving to be a formidable force this season. Let’s break down their performance, strengths, and how they compare to La Lumiere, another top-ranked program.
Season Performance & Key Statistics
Wasatch Academy has demonstrated strong overall play with a win percentage of .737, outperforming La Lumiere’s .611. The Tigers’ record at home (3-4) suggests some struggles in front of their crowd, but their neutral site dominance (10-1) showcases their ability to perform under pressure in tournament settings.
In terms of offensive output, Wasatch Academy is averaging 61.9 points per game, trailing slightly behind La Lumiere’s 66.8 PPG. However, their second-quarter scoring (14.7 PPG) shows that they gain momentum early in games. Their defensive stats are also impressive, with opponents scoring an average of 1,051 points against them, indicating a solid defensive presence.
Head-to-Head & Common Opponents
While Wasatch Academy and La Lumiere have not faced each other directly this season, their performances against common opponents suggest a close matchup. Wasatch Academy holds a 3-3 record against shared opponents, slightly better than La Lumiere’s 2-4 record. Notably, Wasatch Academy secured a 70-55 win against Link Academy, whereas La Lumiere suffered a 82-56 loss against the same team. However, La Lumiere’s 63-58 victory over AZ Compass Prep National contrasts with Wasatch Academy’s 60-53 loss against them.
Team Leaders & Standout Players
- Scoring Leader: Wasatch Academy’s top scorer is Isiah Harwell, averaging 13.0 PPG, significantly higher than the national average of 5.1 PPG.
- Rebounding Leader: Junior County leads the team with 4.6 RPG, playing a crucial role in controlling the boards.
- Playmaking: Katrelle Harmon contributes 4.4 assists per game, showcasing his ability to facilitate the offense.
- Defensive Presence: Junior County also leads the team in steals (1.3 SPG), while Augustine Ekwe provides rim protection with 0.7 blocks per game.
Key Takeaways
- Balanced Attack: Wasatch Academy’s ability to win at neutral sites (10-1) could be crucial for their playoff success.
- Defensive Strength: Their relatively low points allowed (1,051) demonstrates their ability to contain high-scoring teams.
- Consistent Leadership: With Harwell leading the scoring and County excelling on defense, the team has reliable contributors on both ends of the court.
- Potential Playoff Threat: Given their strong non-league performance (10-2) and ability to beat top teams like Link Academy, Wasatch Academy could make a deep postseason run.
Looking Ahead
As the season progresses, Wasatch Academy will aim to improve their home-court record and continue building momentum. With an upcoming game against La Lumiere on February 21, 2025, the matchup will be a crucial test to see how they stack up against another national powerhouse. If they can maintain their strong neutral site dominance, they could emerge as one of the top teams heading into the playoffs.
Stay tuned for more updates on Utah high school basketball as the season unfolds!
