The Millard West varsity basketball team (Omaha, NE) is set to host a non-conference game against Lincoln North Star (Lincoln, NE) today at 3:45 PM.
Game Details:
- Matchup: Lincoln North Star vs. Millard West
- Date: Saturday, January 18, 2025
- Time: 3:45 PM
- Live stream: Watch Here
- Live stream: Watch Here
Lincoln North Star vs. Millard West: A Season Comparison
As the high school basketball season progresses, the Lincoln North Star and Millard West teams are showcasing contrasting records, with both teams making a strong impact in Nebraska basketball. In this article, we will dive into a comparison of these two teams based on their performance, scoring averages, key players, and common opponents.
Season Records and Standings
Lincoln North Star (24-25):
- Record: 10-3
- District Record: 1-1
- Home Record: 5-1
- Away Record: 5-2
- Winning Percentage: 0.769
- District Winning Percentage: 0.500
- Points For (PF): 858
- Points Against (PA): 636
Millard West (24-25):
- Record: 4-6
- District Record: 1-2
- Home Record: 2-3
- Away Record: 2-2
- Neutral Record: 0-1
- Winning Percentage: 0.400
- District Winning Percentage: 0.333
- Points For (PF): 603
- Points Against (PA): 630
At a glance, Lincoln North Star has a superior record, with 10 wins compared to Millard West’s 4. North Star also leads in both home and away records, giving them a notable edge as the season continues. Their overall offensive output has been stronger, scoring 858 points, while Millard West has accumulated 603 points.
Scoring Breakdown
The two teams show different scoring patterns over the course of a game:
- Lincoln North Star averages 66.0 points per game, with the following scoring breakdown:
- Q1: 14.8
- Q2: 11.8
- Q3: 14.5
- Q4: 16.3
- OT: 10.0
- Final: 66.0
- Millard West averages 60.3 points per game, with the following scoring breakdown:
- Q1: 13.3
- Q2: 15.4
- Q3: 15.7
- Q4: 17.2
- Final: 60.3
Lincoln North Star has a more consistent scoring approach across all quarters, with an average of 66.0 points per game. They particularly shine in the 4th quarter, where they score an average of 16.3 points. Millard West, on the other hand, also increases its scoring in the latter part of the game, notably in the 4th quarter with 17.2 points per game, but their scoring output is overall lower.
Team Stat Comparison
Looking at some of the team statistics:
| Stat | Lincoln North Star | Millard West |
|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 65.1 | 60.3 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 31.1 | 30.3 |
| Assists Per Game | 13.6 | 13.5 |
| Steals Per Game | 12.3 | 7.3 |
| Blocks Per Game | 5.3 | 2.9 |
In terms of points per game, Lincoln North Star again holds the advantage. They also outperform Millard West in steals (12.3 compared to 7.3) and blocks (5.3 compared to 2.9), showing their defensive strength.
Key Players
Both teams feature standout players who are key to their success this season:
- Lincoln North Star:
- Jordan Castor: A leader in points per game (18.0), rebounds (4.5), assists (5.0), and steals (3.5).
- Mekhi Wayne-Browne: Contributes with 1.7 blocks per game.
- Millard West:
- Reece Carson: Leads Millard West with 14.3 points per game.
- Cade Walker: A strong rebounder, pulling down 7.7 boards per game.
- Trey Abara: Averaging 3.5 assists per game.
- Ben LaBorde: A defensive presence with 2 steals per game.
Jordan Castor’s all-around performance for Lincoln North Star makes him an indispensable player, leading in multiple categories. On the other hand, Reece Carson is Millard West’s main scoring threat, while Cade Walker stands out as a rebounding leader.
Common Opponents
Both teams have faced off against several common opponents this season, with mixed results:
- Lincoln North Star has a 2-2 record against common opponents.
- Millard West has yet to win, holding a 0-4 record.
Some notable matchups include:
- Lincoln Southeast: Lincoln North Star lost 50-47, while Millard West also fell to them.
- Millard North: Lincoln North Star won 48-45, while Millard West lost 66-44.
- Creighton Prep: Lincoln North Star lost 50-46, and Millard West also lost 74-71.
Record Breakdown
Lincoln North Star excels in both their non-league (9-2) and home (5-1) records. Their consistency on both ends of the court gives them the edge over Millard West, who has had struggles in league play (1-2) and a negative home record (2-3).
As the season continues, Lincoln North Star appears to be in a stronger position, both in terms of overall performance and key players. Millard West will need to adjust their strategy, particularly in their league games, to improve their chances moving forward.
Conclusion
With Lincoln North Star boasting a stronger overall record, superior scoring capabilities, and standout performances from key players, they clearly stand as the team to watch in Nebraska basketball this season. Millard West, while facing challenges, has the potential to improve, especially with the leadership of Reece Carson and other key contributors. As the season progresses, fans of both teams will be eagerly watching their head-to-head matchups and their ability to rise to the occasion.
