The Fairmont Senior (Fairmont, WV) varsity basketball team will be playing a home conference game against North Marion (Farmington, WV) today at 7:30 PM.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: West Virginia High School Basketball
Who: North Marion vs Fairmont Senior
When: Friday, January 17, 2025
Time: 7:30. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here

Game Preview: North Marion vs Fairmont Senior

As the 2024-2025 high school basketball season progresses, two teams from Marion County in West Virginia are showcasing their talent: North Marion and Fairmont Senior. The contrast between these teams in terms of performance and statistical averages reveals interesting insights into their respective seasons.

Team Overview

• North Marion High School (2-5 Overall, 2-1 Region) North Marion’s season has had its ups and downs, with an overall record of 2 wins and 5 losses. Their region performance has been more favorable, with a 2-1 record. They’ve been struggling on the road, but their regional wins offer a glimpse of potential.
• Fairmont Senior High School (5-1 Overall, 4-1 Region) In stark contrast, Fairmont Senior has been dominant with a 5-1 overall record. Their regional performance is also impressive, sitting at 4-1. The team’s balance and consistency in both home and away games have put them on the path to potentially secure a high ranking in the state.

Key Team Stats

• North Marion
  • Points per Game: 49.0
  • Rebounds per Game: 7.4
  • Assists per Game: 1.7
  • Steals per Game: 0.4
  • Blocks per Game: 0.4
• Fairmont Senior
  • Points per Game: 57.7
  • Rebounds per Game: 3.6
  • Assists per Game: 1.7
  • Steals per Game: 0.4
  • Blocks per Game: 0.4

While both teams average similar blocks and steals, Fairmont Senior has a notable edge in points per game, scoring 57.7, which is higher than North Marion’s 49.0.

Team Leaders

• North Marion:
  • Connor Balwanz leads with 13 points per game, showcasing his scoring ability and helping keep the team competitive.
  • Quinton Harbert pulls down 7.0 rebounds per game, leading the team in that category.
• Fairmont Senior:
  • Brady Anderson contributes with a solid 2.0 blocks per game.
  • The team doesn’t have an individual scoring leader quite as prominent as North Marion’s Balwanz, but they collectively contribute to a balanced offense.

Head-to-Head Comparison with Common Opponents

Both teams have faced several of the same opponents this season. North Marion’s 1-2 record against common foes contrasts with Fairmont Senior’s much more successful 4-1 record. Here’s a breakdown of key matchups:

• East Fairmont:
  • North Marion won 52-47 on December 10, 2024, while Fairmont Senior has yet to face them as of February 2025.
• Bridgeport:
  • North Marion struggled in both of their games against Bridgeport, losing 64-39 on January 14, 2025, while Fairmont Senior also lost to Bridgeport but in a closer game, 53-35 on December 17, 2024.
• Buckhannon-Upshur:
  • North Marion lost 65-43 on December 19, 2024, while Fairmont Senior is yet to face them until January 23, 2025.
• Grafton:
  • North Marion has yet to face Grafton as of January 2025, while Fairmont Senior defeated Grafton 77-40 on December 19, 2024.

Game Breakdown

The two schools have contrasting strengths. North Marion’s struggle against teams like Bridgeport and Buckhannon-Upshur highlights some growing pains this season. Fairmont Senior, on the other hand, has been more successful in maintaining consistency in both offense and defense, showing depth in their play.

Both teams have key matchups remaining, including their games against each other later in the season. With Fairmont Senior’s strong regional play, they are poised to continue their dominance. North Marion, however, will need to improve their scoring consistency and tighten up their defense to challenge the region’s top teams.

Final Thoughts

As the season progresses, both North Marion and Fairmont Senior are working toward securing a strong position in the regional standings. Fairmont Senior’s solid win record, especially in regional play, makes them a team to watch, while North Marion still has the potential to bounce back and make a strong push in their region. Fans of both teams are in for an exciting second half of the season, with key matchups on the horizon.