The Newberry High School varsity basketball team will host a home non-conference game against Strom Thurmond High School from Johnston, SC, on Friday, December 27, 2024, at 8:10 PM.

Here’s what you need Basketball to know:

What: South Carolina High School Basketball
Who: Newberry vs Strom Thurmond
When: Friday, December 27, 2024
Time: 8:10. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch Here

Analyzing the 2024-2025 Basketball Season: Strom Thurmond vs. Newberry

The 2024-2025 basketball season has been a tale of ups and downs for both Strom Thurmond and Newberry high schools. With similar records and performance metrics, the teams have displayed strengths in key areas while grappling with notable weaknesses. Let’s dive into the numbers and compare their seasons in detail.

Overall Performance and Rankings

Strom Thurmond holds a 4-5 record this season, with a win percentage of .444, while Newberry trails slightly with a 3-6 record and a .333 win percentage. Both teams have faced challenging schedules, and their overall rankings reflect their mid-tier positions within their South Carolina class:

• Strom Thurmond: Ranked 150th in SC and 19th in their class.
• Newberry: Ranked 147th in SC and 21st in their class.

Home and Away Records

Both teams have shown comparable performances at home and away:

• Strom Thurmond: 2-2 at home, 2-2 away.
• Newberry: 1-3 at home, 2-3 away.

Neutral-site games have not significantly impacted either team, as Strom Thurmond has played one neutral game (a loss), and Newberry has not played any.

Scoring Averages and Team Comparison

Newberry leads in scoring averages per quarter and final game totals, which suggests their offensive edge:

• Newberry: 54.2 points per game.
• Strom Thurmond: 46.6 points per game.

Breaking it down by quarter:

• Strom Thurmond starts strong in the first quarter (11.3 points) but tapers slightly in the second (9.0 points).
• Newberry is consistent across the first half, scoring 13.3 points in both the first and second quarters, before ramping up in the second half with 17.0 and 18.0 points in the third and fourth quarters, respectively.

Key Team Statistics

Statistically, Strom Thurmond has the edge in team rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks:

• Rebounds per Game: Strom Thurmond (29.8)
• Assists per Game: Strom Thurmond (8.8)
• Steals per Game: Strom Thurmond (7.4)
• Blocks per Game: Strom Thurmond (1.8)

While Newberry’s offensive totals suggest scoring efficiency, Strom Thurmond’s stats highlight their ability to create opportunities through strong defense and teamwork.

Team Leaders

Strom Thurmond’s top performers have made notable contributions:

• AJ Walker (#3): Leads with 11.0 points per game and 4.8 assists per game.
• Griffin Thompson (#5): Dominates the boards with 5.8 rebounds per game.
• Daley Hitt (#10): A defensive standout with 1.4 steals per game.
• Landen Jones (#11): Provides interior defense with 0.7 blocks per game.

Newberry’s individual leaders weren’t specified, but their higher scoring averages suggest strong offensive players capable of delivering clutch performances.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced similar challenges against common opponents:

• Strom Thurmond has a 1-1 record, while Newberry holds a stronger 3-1 record.
• Key Games:
  • Strom Thurmond narrowly defeated Union County (52-47), while Newberry secured two wins against Union County with larger margins (67-57 and 58-45).
  • Strom Thurmond suffered a loss to Silver Bluff (33-26), while Newberry is yet to face Silver Bluff this season.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strom Thurmond:

• Strengths: Defensive play, teamwork (reflected in assists), and rebounding.
• Weaknesses: Lower offensive production and inconsistencies in scoring across quarters.

Newberry:

• Strengths: Offensive firepower, especially in the second half.
• Weaknesses: Defensive stats lag behind, and their home performance (1-3) needs improvement.

Looking Ahead

Both teams have shown promise this season, and their potential head-to-head matchups could be exciting. Strom Thurmond’s defensive prowess against Newberry’s offensive efficiency would create a fascinating clash of styles.

As the season progresses, it will be crucial for Strom Thurmond to improve their offensive output and consistency, while Newberry will need to tighten their defense and capitalize on their scoring ability. Both teams have the tools to finish the season strong, making them ones to watch in the South Carolina high school basketball scene.