The Maryville (TN) varsity basketball team will face off against Hamilton Heights Christian Academy (Chattanooga, TN) in a neutral tournament game on Thursday, December 19, at 7:00 PM.

Here’s what you need to know Basketball:

What: Prep Schools High School Basketball
Who: Maryville vs HHCA
When: Thursday, December 19, 2024
Time: 7:00. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch Here

A Comparative Look at Hamilton Heights Christian Academy and Maryville Basketball Teams: 2024-2025 Season

As we delve into the 2024-2025 basketball season, two teams from Tennessee stand out: Hamilton Heights Christian Academy (HHCA) and Maryville. These teams are shaping up to have interesting campaigns, each with its own strengths and challenges. Below, we take a detailed look at both teams’ performance, statistics, and what we can expect as the season progresses.

Team Records and Overview

Hamilton Heights Christian Academy (HHCA) has had a solid start to the 2024-2025 season, posting an 8-5 overall record, including a strong 4-1 district mark. The team has proven itself formidable at home, where it holds a 2-0 record, and has also been competitive in away games, going 1-1. HHCA has an overall win percentage of .615, with an even stronger district win percentage of .800.

On the other hand, Maryville is off to a more balanced start, sitting at 5-5 overall. Their district and home performance is relatively mixed, with a 1-2 record at home and 2-0 on the road, yet they struggle a bit in neutral-site games, posting a 2-3 record. Despite this, they maintain a .500 win percentage, which is respectable for their class and competition level.

Scoring and Offensive Averages

One of the standout areas for HHCA is their offensive consistency. The team averages 76.8 points per game, led by standout scorer Bj Bradford, who puts up 20.8 points per contest. The team is especially strong in the first three quarters, averaging 17.9 points in Q1, 20.3 in Q2, and 20.2 in Q3, before closing strong with 18.5 points in the final frame.

Maryville, while a bit less explosive on offense, has a balanced approach, averaging 58.6 points per game. Their scoring breakdown is more evenly distributed across the quarters, with 14.0 points in Q1, 14.7 in Q2, 16.7 in Q3, and 16.7 in Q4. Despite the lower overall point average, Maryville has shown resilience and is capable of putting together competitive performances, particularly in the second half.

Team Stat Comparison

In terms of overall team statistics, HHCA outpaces Maryville in several key areas:

• Points per game: HHCA averages 72.8, while Maryville scores 61.3.
• Rebounds per game: HHCA dominates the glass, grabbing 40.5 boards per game, compared to Maryville’s 25.0.
• Assists per game: HHCA’s 17.2 assists per game reflect their offensive efficiency, whereas Maryville averages 10.3.
• Steals and Blocks: HHCA’s defense is also a strong suit, with 7.5 steals and 5.2 blocks per game. Maryville has fewer steals (5.4) and blocks (1.4), which could be an area for improvement as the season progresses.

Key Players and Leadership

Each team has its own set of key players who make a significant impact on their respective teams. For HHCA, Bj Bradford is the clear offensive leader, scoring an impressive 20.8 points per game. Victor Okojie contributes with 7.0 rebounds per game, while Valliance Luketa adds 5.4 assists. Wisly Johnson provides a strong defensive presence, contributing 3.5 steals per game.

For Maryville, Brayden Hazelbaker leads the team in scoring with 13.9 points per game, while Luke Sigmund is the primary rebounder, pulling down 7.1 boards per game. Jonathan Woodlee and Eli Owensby are key contributors in assists and steals, respectively, with Woodlee averaging 3.4 assists per game and Owensby securing 1.3 steals per game.

Common Opponents and Future Matchups

Both teams will face off against similar competition throughout the season, but HHCA has had a slightly better record against common opponents. As of now, HHCA holds a 0-0 record against some of these teams, with no results yet against certain competitors like Baylor. Maryville, however, has already faced Baylor, falling 67-49 in their matchup.

Looking ahead, a couple of exciting matchups are scheduled:

• On February 7, 2025, HHCA will face Hamilton Heights Christian Academy in an away game against Baylor.
• On February 13, 2025, the team will go up against Webb. Maryville, meanwhile, will play against Baylor and Webb in December.

Final Thoughts

As the 2024-2025 basketball season unfolds, both Hamilton Heights Christian Academy and Maryville show great promise, albeit with different strengths. HHCA stands out for its potent offense, strong rebounding, and defense, while Maryville’s balanced approach and resilience make them a competitive team within their class.

The matchup between these two teams, as well as their games against common opponents, will provide valuable insights into how each squad performs under pressure and how they evolve as the season progresses. Fans of Tennessee high school basketball can look forward to seeing these two teams continue to battle it out on the court.