The Salt Lake Academy varsity basketball team (Herriman, UT) will face Mount Vernon (Murray, UT) in a neutral tournament game today at 8:30 a.m.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: Utah High School Basketball
Who: Mount Vernon vs Salt Lake Academy
When: Today, December 21, 2024
Time: 8:30 a.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here
Game Preview: Mount Vernon vs Salt Lake Academy
The 2024-2025 Utah high school basketball season paints a contrasting picture for two programs: Mount Vernon and Salt Lake Academy. These teams have faced unique challenges and successes, with their respective performances offering insights into their strengths and areas for improvement.
Team Records and Performance
Mount Vernon (1-8) has struggled throughout the season, posting an overall win percentage of .111. Their sole victory came against Utah Military Academy – Camp Williams in a hard-fought 44-39 contest. On the other hand, Salt Lake Academy (2-2) has shown promise, achieving a .500 win percentage and displaying resilience with a balanced home and away record.
Scoring and Statistical Comparisons
Salt Lake Academy dominates the offensive and defensive categories, averaging 62.5 points per game compared to Mount Vernon’s 21.4. The disparity in scoring is evident across all quarters, with Salt Lake Academy consistently outpacing Mount Vernon:
| Quarter | Mount Vernon | Salt Lake Academy |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 5.0 | 15.3 |
| Q2 | 4.2 | 18.7 |
| Q3 | 7.6 | 15.0 |
| Q4 | 6.3 | 14.3 |
Defensively, Salt Lake Academy also excels with better rebounding (35.5 vs. 22.7), assists (11.3 vs. 1.2), and blocks (3.0 vs. 0.7).
Team Leaders
- Mount Vernon:
- Andre Hernandez (#2): Leads with 9.3 points per game but contributes only 0.4 assists per game.
- Mustafa Jalili (#35): Anchors the team in rebounds (6.8), steals (1.6), and blocks (0.3).
- Salt Lake Academy:
- Lucas Malmstrom (#0): A standout performer with 26.5 points per game, significantly above the national average.
- Braylon Brock (#24): Dominates the boards with 15.5 rebounds per game.
- Aaron Zamora (#1): A key playmaker with 3.0 assists and 2.3 steals per game.
Head-to-Head and Common Opponents
The teams have not faced each other this season but share several common opponents. Salt Lake Academy boasts a 1-0 record against these teams, including a decisive 75-42 victory over Dugway, a team that defeated Mount Vernon earlier. Mount Vernon holds a 1-5 record against common opponents, highlighting their ongoing struggles.
Opportunities for Growth
Mount Vernon’s key focus areas include improving offensive consistency, enhancing ball movement, and capitalizing on defensive opportunities. Their players, particularly Andre Hernandez and Mustafa Jalili, need greater support from their teammates to elevate overall performance.
Salt Lake Academy’s success is driven by its depth and balanced play. Building on their strong starts and maintaining intensity through all quarters will be essential as they prepare for tougher competition.
Looking Ahead
As the season progresses, Mount Vernon will aim to rebuild and find consistency, while Salt Lake Academy looks to solidify its position as a competitive force. Both teams have room for growth and the potential to make an impact on Utah’s high school basketball landscape.
