The Leola/Frederick (Leola, SD) varsity basketball team is set to play a home non-conference game against Ellendale (ND) today at 5 p.m.

Game Details:

• Matchup: Ellendale vs LFHS (Co-op) Basketball
• Date: Saturday, January 18, 2025
• Time: 5:00 p.m.
• Live stream: Watch Here
• Live stream: Watch Here
• Location: Frederick, SD

Ellendale vs. Leola/Frederick: A Pre-Game Preview

The upcoming basketball showdown between the Ellendale (ND) and Leola/Frederick (SD) varsity teams is generating a lot of buzz. The game, scheduled for 5:00 PM today in Leola, South Dakota, promises to be an exciting non-conference battle between two teams on different trajectories this season. Let’s take a closer look at how both teams have performed so far, their common opponents, and what fans can expect from this matchup.

Team Records and Standings

Ellendale (ND):
Currently sitting at a 2-6 overall record, Ellendale has had a tough start to their 2024-25 season. Their district record stands at 1-0, having won their sole district match so far. While they’ve struggled at home with a 0-5 record, their performance away from home (1-1) and at neutral sites (1-0) has shown signs of promise. Despite their struggles, Ellendale has scored 351 points while allowing 435, with an average of 43.9 points per game.

Leola/Frederick (SD):
Leola/Frederick, on the other hand, has enjoyed a much stronger season, currently boasting an impressive 10-1 overall record. With a perfect 5-0 region record, they have proven themselves dominant both at home and on the road, maintaining a 4-0 record at home and a 5-0 record on the road. Their offensive firepower has been evident, averaging 68.2 points per game, and they have scored 750 points while allowing 536.

Team Scoring Averages

• Ellendale: The team averages 43.9 points per game, a challenging statistic that reflects their ongoing struggles this season.
• Leola/Frederick: With an impressive average of 68.2 points per game, Leola/Frederick has shown themselves to be a potent offensive force, averaging nearly 70 points in every game.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced some common opponents this season, which gives us an idea of how they might stack up against each other.

• Oakes:
  Ellendale faced Oakes on December 20th, 2024, at home but lost 69-36. Leola/Frederick played Oakes earlier, on December 17th, 2024, at home, coming out victorious with a 57-46 win. This matchup highlights Leola/Frederick’s superior performance against the same opponent.
• South Border co-op [Wishek/Ashley]:
  Ellendale secured a dominant 56-16 win over South Border on January 7th, 2025, at home. Leola/Frederick will face South Border on February 1st, 2025, so the outcome remains to be seen. However, Ellendale’s victory against this opponent shows they can be competitive when they perform at their best.

Head-to-Head Record

This will be the first meeting between these two teams this season, with no prior head-to-head matchups on record. Given both teams’ contrasting forms, the game could be a defining moment for Ellendale as they look to upset the highly favored Leola/Frederick squad.

Key Breakdown

• Ellendale’s Strengths and Weaknesses:
  While their overall record may not reflect it, Ellendale has shown resilience, especially on the road. Their scoring struggles are evident, but their defense will need to tighten up against a Leola/Frederick offense that can put up big numbers.
• Leola/Frederick’s Strengths and Weaknesses:
  With a near-perfect record, Leola/Frederick’s biggest advantage is their high-scoring offense, which has been nearly unstoppable. Their defense will need to be sharp to handle Ellendale’s potential for surprises, particularly in away games.

The Game Ahead

As the game kicks off in just a few hours, Ellendale will be looking to continue their solid district play while Leola/Frederick aims to extend their dominance in the region. The high-scoring Leola/Frederick offense will be the main challenge for Ellendale, who will need to focus on slowing down their opponents and capitalizing on their scoring opportunities to stay competitive.

With both teams eager to perform well, this game could prove to be a turning point for either squad. Fans can expect an exciting game as Ellendale takes on the juggernaut that is Leola/Frederick at 5:00 PM today.