The Grace Christian varsity basketball team (Huntington, WV) will host Morgantown Christian Academy (Morgantown, WV) for a home tournament game on Friday, December 20, at 7:30 p.m.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: West Virginia High School Basketball
Who: Morgantown Christian Academy vs Grace Christian
When: Friday, December 20, 2024
Time: 7:30. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here
Game Preview: Morgantown Christian Academy vs Grace Christian
The early season of West Virginia high school basketball has featured some exciting matchups, and two teams currently drawing attention are Morgantown Christian Academy and Grace Christian. With their season stats and head-to-head comparison in mind, let’s dive into how these two teams are shaping up as they continue their campaigns.
Morgantown Christian Academy: Dominating Early
Morgantown Christian Academy (MCA) is off to a stellar start, boasting a perfect 2-0 record. The team has shown remarkable efficiency both offensively and defensively, with an impressive 136 points scored and just 46 points allowed in their first two games. This early dominance places them firmly at the top of their region with a 1.000 win percentage, both overall and within their region.
Team Stats:
- Points Per Game: 68.0
- Rebounds Per Game: 12.3
- Assists Per Game: 5.8
- Steals Per Game: 1.8
- Blocks Per Game: 0.3
The team’s offensive prowess is evident, with a strong scoring average of 68 points per game, including impressive second-quarter performances where they averaged 30 points. This potent attack is led by #24 Tyce Day, who averages 15 points per game. Cole Mathess has been a key contributor in the rebounding department with 8.0 rebounds per game, and Collin Lemley leads the team with 5.0 assists per game. Morgantown Christian Academy has been equally effective at home and on the road, with a perfect 2-0 record in both categories.
Grace Christian: A Work in Progress
On the other hand, Grace Christian has had a more mixed start to their season, recording a 2-3 overall record. Their campaign has been marked by struggles in away games, where they are currently 0-3. However, they’ve been able to secure both of their wins at home and maintain an undefeated 1-0 record in their region.
Team Stats:
- Points Per Game: 52.4
- Rebounds Per Game: 5.3
- Assists Per Game: 2.8
- Steals Per Game: 1.0
- Blocks Per Game: 0.3
Grace Christian has averaged 52.4 points per game, with their most efficient quarter being the first (16.2 points). Despite the team’s offensive struggles compared to Morgantown Christian Academy, key players like #13 Brody Harris have stood out. Harris is averaging 19 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, while Asher Cicenas contributes 2.0 assists per game.
Grace Christian’s primary challenge appears to be consistency in away games, where they have yet to secure a win this season.
Head-to-Head: A Look Ahead
Morgantown Christian Academy and Grace Christian have not yet faced each other this season, but both teams are on a collision course for an exciting matchup. Grace Christian will have to overcome their road struggles if they are to compete with the high-scoring offense of Morgantown Christian Academy. However, their defensive strategies could be a factor as they look to slow down MCA’s fast-paced attack.
Both teams will also look to extend their respective streaks against common opponents. Grace Christian has already secured a 65-35 win over Bloomingdale, while Morgantown Christian Academy is set to face them on January 2, 2025. A win for MCA could further solidify their early dominance in the season.
Conclusion: Early Impressions
Morgantown Christian Academy has shown itself to be a well-rounded team with an explosive offense, while Grace Christian has the potential to be a contender, especially if they can improve their performance on the road. As the season progresses, both teams will be looking to refine their play and continue to build momentum.
With Morgantown Christian Academy currently undefeated and Grace Christian aiming to turn around their away-game performance, the matchup between these two teams is one to watch closely in the coming weeks.