The Leesville Road varsity basketball team from Raleigh, NC, will host Sanderson High School (also from Raleigh, NC) for a home conference game on Friday, January 24, 2025, at 6:30 PM.

Matchup Details:

• Teams: Sanderson vs. Leesville Road
• Date: Friday, January 24, 2025
• Time: 6:30 PM
• Live stream: Watch Here
• Live stream: Watch Here
• Location: Leesville Road High School, Raleigh, NC

Sanderson Spartans vs. Leesville Road Pride: A Preview of Key Conference Matchups

The Sanderson Spartans and Leesville Road Pride are set to clash in a pair of critical conference basketball games that will undoubtedly draw the attention of Raleigh, NC basketball fans. With the first game scheduled for January 24 at Leesville Road and the return fixture on February 14 at Sanderson, both teams aim to bolster their standings in the NC Class rankings.

Team Overviews

Sanderson Spartans (2024-2025)

• NC Class Rank: 21 (4th in class)
• Record: 14-2 overall, 2-0 in conference
• Key Stats:
  • Points Per Game: 61.1
  • Rebounds Per Game: 24.6
  • Assists Per Game: 13.0
  • Steals Per Game: 7.6
  • Blocks Per Game: 1.6

Sanderson has been dominant this season, boasting an impressive .875 win percentage. Their balanced attack has been led by #5 Nathan Fife, who contributes across the board with 21.7 points, 5.6 assists, and 2.6 steals per game. Defensively, #30 Malakhi Murphy anchors the team with 0.6 blocks per game.

Leesville Road Pride (2024-2025)

• NC Class Rank: 88 (14th in class)
• Record: 10-6 overall, 1-1 in conference
• Key Stats:
  • Points For: 1,079 (67.4 average)
  • Points Against: 980
  • Best Quarter Performance: Q4 (22.3 points)

Despite a tougher season, Leesville Road boasts a solid .625 win percentage. Their ability to close games strong in the fourth quarter, averaging 22.3 points, has been a hallmark of their play. They’ll look to their depth and home-court advantage to challenge the Spartans in the first game.

Key Matchup Insights

Head-to-Head

While these two teams have yet to face each other this season, the stakes are high as Sanderson seeks to maintain their perfect conference record, while Leesville Road looks to climb the standings.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced a slew of common opponents, with Sanderson holding an 8-1 record compared to Leesville Road’s 6-4. Notably, Sanderson dominated Wakefield (62-34), a team that handed Leesville Road a 70-81 loss. However, Leesville Road has shown resilience, defeating strong teams like Heritage (68-56) and Cardinal Gibbons (71-68).

Players to Watch

• Nathan Fife (Sanderson): The standout guard has been the cornerstone of Sanderson’s offense, leading in scoring and assists while also being a key contributor defensively.
• Leesville Road’s Late-Game Surge: Though no individual stats are highlighted, the Pride’s fourth-quarter scoring dominance could be pivotal in a tight game.

What to Expect

January 24 @ Leesville Road

Sanderson will need to manage Leesville Road’s fourth-quarter explosiveness while leveraging their defensive strength to control the pace early.

February 14 @ Sanderson

By the time the second game arrives, both teams will have more at stake, potentially setting up a dramatic rematch.

With both teams bringing their unique strengths to the court, fans are in for an exciting series of games. Whether it’s Sanderson’s consistency or Leesville Road’s late-game heroics, these matchups could have a significant impact on the conference standings.