The Lutheran East varsity basketball team (Cleveland Heights, OH) is set to face Huntington Expression Prep (Huntington, WV) in a neutral non-conference matchup today at 3 p.m.

Game Details:

• Teams: Huntington Expression Prep vs. Lutheran East
• Date: Saturday, January 18, 2025
• Time: 3:00 p.m.
• Live stream: Watch Here

Comparing Huntington Expression Prep and Lutheran East: A Mid-Season Look

As the 2024-2025 high school basketball season progresses, Huntington Expression Prep and Lutheran East have been noteworthy teams. Here, we break down both programs’ performance, key stats, and strengths heading into the latter half of the season.

Season Overview

Huntington Expression Prep (WV) has had a mixed start to their season, with a record of 5-5. While they have been competitive, they’ve yet to make a mark at home, with a 0-0 record at home games so far. Their road performances have seen a split of 2 wins and 2 losses, with 3 neutral site games resulting in a 3-3 record. The team’s overall win percentage stands at .500, with a total of 704 points scored and 745 points allowed.

Lutheran East (OH), on the other hand, has been much more successful, sporting an impressive 8-2 record overall. The team has been particularly strong at home, winning all four of their home games. With a solid 2-0 record on the road and an even 2-2 at neutral sites, Lutheran East has been dominant in various conditions. They boast a high win percentage of .800, scoring 708 points and allowing only 562.

Scoring Averages

When it comes to scoring, the two teams are fairly close, with Lutheran East averaging 70.8 points per game, just slightly edging out Huntington Expression Prep’s 70.4 points. However, the breakdown of scoring across quarters shows that Lutheran East is more consistent throughout the game, averaging 17.1 points in the first quarter and maintaining solid performances in the other periods (16.2 in Q2, 19.2 in Q3, and 16.6 in Q4).

In comparison, Huntington Expression Prep does not have quarter-by-quarter breakdowns, but it’s clear that their scoring is more reliant on the flow of the game rather than consistent output in each period.

Team Stat Comparison

Both teams have key differences in their overall statistical categories. Lutheran East has been more efficient in most areas, with an average of 25.9 points per game. The team has shown a better ability to control the boards as well, with a higher average of 7.6 rebounds per game. Additionally, Lutheran East has averaged 0.9 blocks per game, showing some presence in the paint.

Key Players:

• Huntington Expression Prep: The standout player for Huntington Expression Prep is #4 TJ Crumble, who has been impressive this season. Crumble leads the team with an average of 26.0 points per game and 13.6 rebounds per game, contributing significantly to the team’s overall performance. His 1.6 blocks per game are also an important defensive asset.
• Lutheran East: Lutheran East’s stats aren’t quite as heavily dependent on a single player, but their overall performance has been bolstered by consistent scoring from all team members.

Record Breakdown

When it comes to team performance in specific situations, Lutheran East has shown a much more balanced record, with a 4-0 home record and a 2-0 record away. They have only lost two games, both of which came on neutral grounds. Their overall performance in state play has also been strong, standing at 8-2, while Huntington Expression Prep has struggled more, with a 5-5 record. In terms of out-of-state competition, Huntington has yet to play a game against teams from outside their region.

Key Takeaways

1. Balanced Performance for Lutheran East: Lutheran East has shown dominance both at home and on the road, with a strong scoring performance and solid defense. Their 8-2 record and balanced scoring distribution across quarters make them a tough contender as the season progresses.
2. TJ Crumble Leads Huntington Expression Prep: Despite Huntington Expression Prep’s struggles, they have a standout player in TJ Crumble, whose scoring and rebounding have been key to their performances this season. If other players step up alongside him, they could turn their season around.
3. Need for Consistency in Quarter Scoring: Huntington Expression Prep will need to develop more consistent quarter-to-quarter scoring to stay competitive, particularly against teams like Lutheran East, who are able to maintain high performance throughout the game.

As both teams continue their journey through the 2024-2025 season, these key differences in performance and statistics will likely play a major role in determining how each team fares in their respective leagues.