The Mesa Ridge varsity basketball team will host a non-conference game against Lewis-Palmer today at 7 p.m. at Mesa Ridge in Colorado Springs, CO.

Lewis-Palmer vs Mesa Ridge High School Basketball Game Info:

What: Colorado High School Basketball
Who: Lewis-Palmer vs Mesa Ridge
When: Friday, December 20, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch here

Game Preview: Lewis-Palmer vs Mesa Ridge

Tonight, the Mesa Ridge varsity basketball team will take on Lewis-Palmer in a non-conference home game at 7 p.m. The match offers an exciting opportunity to see how these two teams stack up against each other as both look to continue improving their season records.

Team Records and Performance

As of now, Lewis-Palmer has an overall record of 2-5, with a 1-1 mark at home and a 1-4 record on the road. Despite their struggles, they’ve had moments of success, including a dominant 69-30 win over Frederick. Their average of 55.3 points per game (PPG) places them among mid-tier teams in the state, but they’ve been prone to allowing opponents to score more, averaging 58.6 points per game (PA).

Mesa Ridge, on the other hand, has been far more successful with a 5-1 overall record. They are undefeated at home with a perfect 2-0 record on neutral courts and 3-1 on the road. With an impressive 57.7 PPG, they’ve shown offensive consistency. Their defense has also been a strength, allowing only 50.2 PPG.

Team Scoring Averages

Both teams have shown different patterns in their scoring throughout the game. Lewis-Palmer scores an average of 55.3 points per game, with consistent output across the first three quarters (13.0, 13.9, 16.0 points) but a slight dip in the fourth quarter (12.4 points). Mesa Ridge, meanwhile, puts up 57.7 points per game, with a strong final quarter (18.5 points) that typically helps them close out games. Their offense averages 14.5 points in the first quarter, increases to 15.0 points in the second, dips slightly to 8.5 in the third, and explodes in the fourth.

Key Players

For Lewis-Palmer, Cole Hughes leads the team with 13.9 points per game, and Jonas Miller is their top rebounder, pulling in 4.3 boards per game. Nolan VanderMeer leads the team with 2.3 assists per game, while Tommy Perez provides valuable defense with 1.2 steals and 0.7 blocks per game.

Mesa Ridge’s Bryce Riehl is the standout player for his team, averaging 21.0 points per game, which ranks him among the top scorers in the league. He is also a key contributor in rebounding with 5.3 boards per game, as well as 1.3 blocks. J’marius Jones is another notable player, contributing 3.7 assists and 1.0 steal per game.

Team Stats Comparison

• Points Per Game: Lewis-Palmer (55.3) vs. Mesa Ridge (57.7)
• Rebounds Per Game: Lewis-Palmer (19.6) vs. Mesa Ridge (30.3)
• Assists Per Game: Lewis-Palmer (8.7) vs. Mesa Ridge (12.0)
• Steals Per Game: Lewis-Palmer (4.4) vs. Mesa Ridge (11.8)
• Blocks Per Game: Lewis-Palmer (1.9) vs. Mesa Ridge (4.8)

The statistical breakdown shows a clear advantage for Mesa Ridge, particularly in rebounding, assists, steals, and blocks. Mesa Ridge’s overall defensive capabilities and the presence of key players like Riehl, Myles, and Jones could be a deciding factor in this matchup.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced similar opponents this season, with Mesa Ridge holding a 3-1 record against common opponents, while Lewis-Palmer is 2-2. Both teams defeated Frederick, but Mesa Ridge has had the upper hand in more games, including notable victories over Windsor and Thompson Valley.

Looking Ahead

While the outcome of this game will add to each team’s non-conference records, it will also be an important gauge for both teams moving forward. Lewis-Palmer will need to improve on both ends of the floor to compete with top teams like Mesa Ridge, while Mesa Ridge will aim to maintain their strong form, especially at home.

Tip-off is at 7 p.m. tonight at Mesa Ridge High School in Colorado Springs, and fans can expect an exciting and competitive contest between these two teams.