The St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes varsity basketball team (Alexandria, VA) is playing a neutral non-conference game against Maret (Washington, DC) today at 3:15 PM.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Virginia High School Basketball
Who: Maret vs St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes
When: Saturday, January 11, 2025
Time: 3:15. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here

Game Preview: Maret vs St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes

As the 2024-2025 Virginia high school basketball season unfolds, two prominent teams, Maret and St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes, are proving themselves as formidable contenders. Both schools have demonstrated strong performances, with Maret holding a balanced 6-6 overall record and St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes impressively posting an 11-2 record. Let’s take a closer look at their performances, key players, and how they compare to one another as the season progresses.

Team Overview

Maret is currently positioned at a .500 win percentage, showcasing competitive play with a 1-1 league record and a strong 6-1 home record. However, the team has struggled on the road and in neutral-site games, recording a disappointing 0-5 in neutral locations. Despite these challenges, Maret has maintained a solid offensive output, averaging 56.2 points per game (PPG), and they will need to improve their performance in away and neutral settings to become more consistent contenders.

St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes, on the other hand, is performing at an elite level with an overall win percentage of .846 and a region win percentage of .750. Their 6-0 home record is impressive, and they have only lost once on the road, suggesting strong adaptability and depth. Their offensive game is flourishing, averaging 70.9 PPG, a significant 14.7 points per game more than Maret, which could be a deciding factor as the season progresses.

Scoring Breakdown

The difference in scoring outputs between the two teams is clear. Maret has been consistent in the early stages of games but has shown a tendency to fall off in the later quarters, with averages of 14.0 points in the first quarter, 7.0 in the second, 9.0 in the third, and 9.0 in the fourth. This indicates a need for sustained offensive production throughout the game, especially in the latter stages.

St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes, in contrast, boasts a more balanced and higher-scoring offense. Their first-quarter performance is impressive (17.6 PPG), and they continue to build momentum throughout the game, averaging 17.3 points in the second quarter and an outstanding 20.3 points in the third quarter. Despite a slight dip in the fourth (14.0 PPG), their ability to generate offense across all quarters will give them an edge in future matchups.

Key Player Performances

Both teams feature standout players who are crucial to their success.

Maret’s Riley Jacobs has been a standout with an average of 19.5 points per game (PPG) and 10.3 rebounds per game (RPG). His dominance in the paint and scoring ability has been crucial in Maret’s offensive strategy. Additionally, his contribution on defense, with 1.1 blocks per game, complements his offensive game.

St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes features a well-rounded lineup, with Julian Burgdolf leading the team with an impressive 2.7 assists per game. Meanwhile, Devin Ainsworth has provided solid defense, averaging 2.2 steals per game. These contributions on both ends of the court, combined with the team’s high offensive output, have propelled them to the top of their region.

Common Opponents

One notable common opponent for both teams has been Flint Hill. Maret faced off against Flint Hill on January 9, 2025, at home but fell short with a 61-49 loss. St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes will host Flint Hill on January 29, 2025, and it will be interesting to see how they fare against this opponent.

Team Comparisons

Maret’s strength lies in their home court advantage, boasting a 6-1 record when playing at home. However, their struggles in neutral and away games have prevented them from reaching their full potential. If they can correct this disparity, they have the talent to compete at a higher level.

St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes has proven to be more consistent overall, especially in their road and neutral-site games, with a remarkable 5-1 record in neutral games. They are currently one of the top teams in their region, and their balance of offense and defense makes them a difficult matchup for any opponent.

Looking Ahead

The remainder of the season will be a crucial test for both teams. Maret must address their inconsistency, particularly on the road, if they want to challenge for top honors in their league. St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes, on the other hand, appears poised for a deep run in the postseason, provided they continue their strong play and adapt to any challenges posed by their opponents.

As the season unfolds, both teams will be looking to solidify their positions, with their head-to-head clash in mind as a potential turning point in the 2024-2025 Virginia high school basketball landscape.