The Newcastle (OK) varsity basketball team is set to play a home conference game against Weatherford (OK) today at 8 p.m.

Game Details:

• Opponent: Weatherford vs Newcastle
• Date & Time: Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at 8 p.m.
• Live stream: Watch Here
• Live stream: Watch Here

Weatherford and Newcastle Basketball Teams: A Comparative Analysis

As the 2024-2025 Oklahoma high school basketball season progresses, two standout teams in Class 2A are making waves: Weatherford and Newcastle. Both teams have showcased impressive performances this season, with Weatherford maintaining a dominant record and Newcastle showing resilience despite facing a challenging schedule. Here’s a deep dive into their season, including records, scoring trends, and common opponents.

Weatherford’s Stellar Season

Weatherford has been nothing short of outstanding this season, with an impressive overall record of 18-1. Their perfect district record of 3-0 has them positioned as one of the top teams in the state. Weatherford’s strength lies in their consistency across all aspects of the game. The team has been a dominant force at home with a 7-0 record, while also impressing on the road with a 9-1 mark. They have also been strong in neutral-site games, boasting a 2-0 record.

The team’s offense has been prolific, averaging 67.2 points per game. They have shown their scoring depth, with the team putting up an average of 15.3 points in the first quarter, steadily increasing to 18.0 points in the third quarter. Their highest output comes in the second quarter with 17.7 points, and they close out strong with 16.7 points in the fourth quarter.

Weatherford’s defense has also been impressive, allowing only 706 points this season, an average of just 37.2 points per game. This combination of high-scoring offense and stout defense has led them to a near-perfect season.

Newcastle’s Resilient Season

Newcastle, with a 10-6 overall record, has had a challenging but commendable season. Their district record of 7-1 speaks to their competitiveness in league play, where they have only suffered a single loss. However, their overall performance has been mixed, with a 3-1 home record, a solid 6-3 away record, and a 1-2 record in neutral-site games.

Newcastle’s offense averages 51.0 points per game, showing a more balanced attack compared to Weatherford. Their scoring increases gradually across the quarters, with a notable jump in the final period to 18.0 points per game. The team has faced its challenges but has managed to stay competitive in tough matchups, consistently fighting back in the second half of games.

Their defense, while not as dominant as Weatherford’s, has held opponents to an average of 750 points, roughly 46.9 points per game. Newcastle’s ability to stay in games and capitalize on opportunities in the second half has been a key component of their success.

Common Opponents: A Comparison of Results

Both Weatherford and Newcastle have faced some of the same opponents this season, which provides a great opportunity to compare their performances directly.

• Anadarko: Weatherford defeated Anadarko 66-36 on 12/14/24, while Newcastle lost to them 46-39 on 12/20/24.
• Cache: Weatherford dominated Cache 80-18 on 12/17/24, while Newcastle had a tougher time, edging out Cache 51-45 on 1/7/25.
• Life Prep: Weatherford won 56-49 on 12/20/24, while Newcastle narrowly lost 60-57 on 12/21/24.
• Clinton: Weatherford defeated Clinton 68-21 on 1/7/25, and Newcastle won 58-40 on 1/16/25.
• Chickasha: Weatherford crushed Chickasha 74-23 on 1/28/25, while Newcastle won 51-31 on 12/10/24.
• Bethany: Weatherford faced Bethany in multiple matchups, emerging victorious in both games. Newcastle also won 39-33 against Bethany in a tightly contested game on 1/24/25.

These results show a clear distinction in how each team has performed against the same opposition, with Weatherford consistently securing dominant wins while Newcastle has faced some closer contests.

Record Breakdown: Comparing Strengths

• Weatherford’s Strengths:
  • Overall record: 18-1
  • District play: 3-0
  • Strong in-state performance: 15-1
  • Home record: 7-0
  • Away record: 9-1
  • Non-league dominance: 13-1
  • Scoring average: 67.2 points per game
• Newcastle’s Strengths:
  • Overall record: 10-6
  • District play: 7-1
  • Strong out-of-state play: 3-0
  • Home record: 3-1
  • Away record: 6-3
  • Scoring average: 51.0 points per game

Despite Weatherford’s overwhelming success in the win-loss column, Newcastle has held its own in district competition and shown flashes of brilliance throughout the season.

Looking Ahead

As both teams continue to push through their schedules, Weatherford remains a strong contender for a deep playoff run, with their balanced offense and defense proving difficult for opponents to overcome. Newcastle, while facing some growing pains, has shown resilience and will look to build upon their solid district play as they continue to challenge themselves against top-tier teams.

Both teams’ upcoming games will be crucial for seeding in the postseason, and it will be interesting to see how they fare against each other and their remaining opponents. With their contrasting styles of play, both Weatherford and Newcastle have much to prove as the season heads toward its thrilling conclusion.

In the competitive landscape of Oklahoma high school basketball, these two teams will undoubtedly continue to capture the attention of fans, coaches, and analysts alike.