The Lincolnview (Van Wert, OH) varsity basketball team will host a home non-conference game against St. John’s (Delphos, OH) today at 5 PM.

Game Information:

• Matchup: St. John’s vs. Lincolnview
• Date: Saturday, February 1, 2025
• Time: 5:00 PM
• Live stream: Watch Here
• Live stream: Watch Here

St. John’s Dominates the Court: A Tale of Two Teams – St. John’s vs. Lincolnview

As the 2024-2025 basketball season progresses, the disparity in performance between St. John’s and Lincolnview is evident, with St. John’s enjoying a commanding lead both in their overall and conference records. A closer look at their season so far reveals both the strengths of St. John’s and the struggles of Lincolnview.

St. John’s: A Powerhouse in Ohio Basketball

St. John’s has certainly proven themselves to be a force to be reckoned with this season. With an impressive 15-1 record overall and an undefeated 6-0 record in conference play, they’ve dominated their competition in nearly every facet. Their performance at home (8-1) and on the road (7-0) speaks volumes about their consistency, as they’ve posted a remarkable win percentage of .938. They’ve also had a solid scoring average of 70.0 points per game, with an average of 19.6 points in the first quarter alone, setting the tone early and maintaining it throughout.

Notable victories for St. John’s include impressive wins over strong teams like Van Wert (74-73) and Kalida (70-58). These performances have built a strong foundation for the team as they move forward in the season, showcasing their defensive and offensive prowess.

Lincolnview: A Season of Struggles

On the other hand, Lincolnview has had a much tougher time this season. With a 5-12 overall record and an 0-4 mark in conference play, they find themselves at the bottom of their league. They have been unable to gain any momentum, particularly in away games, where they are currently 1-6. Despite a decent home record of 4-6, the team’s struggles are reflected in their overall win percentage of .294.

Their average points scored per game stands at 52.7, which is far below their opponents, with a first-quarter average of just 13.5 points. Games like their loss to Van Wert (66-54) and Kalida (69-53) demonstrate their difficulties in keeping pace with stronger teams.

Head-to-Head Comparison: A Clear Divide

When looking at their performances against common opponents, the contrast becomes even more stark. St. John’s has a 6-1 record against teams they’ve shared with Lincolnview, while Lincolnview has only managed a 2-5 record against the same opponents. Their win over Continental (71-34) stands as a bright spot for Lincolnview, but they’ve struggled in recent contests, like their loss to Spencerville (59-36) and Lima Central Catholic (84-55).

For St. John’s, victories against teams like Parkway (78-46) and Jefferson (74-29) underscore their dominance. Their only loss came in a hard-fought battle with Spencerville (65-61), a loss that they will likely learn from as they continue their march through the season.

A Look at Scoring Patterns

When we dive deeper into the scoring patterns of both teams, we see how St. John’s outpaces Lincolnview throughout the game. St. John’s consistently scores in the mid-teens in the opening quarter and maintains a steady pace, even during the latter parts of games. In contrast, Lincolnview’s scoring tends to dwindle in the middle of games, especially in the second and third quarters, which has led to many of their struggles in putting together full games.

For example, in their game against Spencerville, Lincolnview managed only 36 points, with their scoring heavily dropping in the first and third quarters. St. John’s, however, kept a more balanced approach and capitalized on opportunities throughout their contest with Spencerville, maintaining an average of over 70 points per game.

The Road Ahead: Will Lincolnview Find Their Groove?

As the season moves forward, Lincolnview will need to regroup and focus on finding consistency, especially against strong opponents. Their upcoming matchups, including games against Crestview and Fort Recovery, will provide an opportunity to regain some form before the playoffs.

For St. John’s, the path forward looks bright. Their undefeated conference record places them at the top of their league, and their momentum shows no signs of slowing down. With several key players contributing consistently, they are poised to make a deep playoff run.

Conclusion

In the battle of St. John’s vs. Lincolnview, the difference in performance, scoring, and consistency is undeniable. St. John’s stands tall as a state contender, while Lincolnview faces challenges that will require significant adjustments if they wish to make a strong push through the remainder of the season. With much basketball still left to play, fans will be eager to see how both teams handle their respective challenges.