The North Mecklenburg High School (Huntersville, NC) varsity basketball team will face Pembroke Pines Charter (Pembroke Pines, FL) in a home tournament game today at 8:30 p.m.

Here’s what you need to Basketball know:

What: North Carolina High School Basketball
Who: North Mecklenburg vs Pembroke Pines
When: Friday, December 20, 2024
Time: 8:30. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch Here

Basketball Showdown: Pembroke Pines Charter vs. North Mecklenburg

As the 2024-2025 basketball season heats up, two impressive teams have been making waves in their respective regions: Pembroke Pines Charter (PPC) from Florida and North Mecklenburg (NM) from North Carolina. Both teams boast solid records, a history of strong performances, and individual standout players. Here’s an in-depth look at these teams as they prepare for what could be an exciting season ahead.

Team Performance & Records

Pembroke Pines Charter (Florida)

PPC has had a solid season so far, with a 6-2 overall record. The team has proven itself to be a dominant force in district play, with a perfect 1.000 win percentage in district games. At home, the team holds a 4-1 record and is 2-1 on the road, giving them a .750 win percentage overall. Their offensive output has been impressive, averaging 57.8 points per game, with 462 points scored over their eight games. Defensively, they’ve allowed 369 points, with opponents averaging 46.1 points per game against them.

North Mecklenburg (North Carolina)

North Mecklenburg has been even more dominant, posting a remarkable 7-1 record with an 87.5% win percentage. They have swept their conference games, with a 1.000 conference win percentage. NM has a strong performance both at home (2-0) and away (3-0), and they also have an impressive 2-1 record in neutral-site games. Their total points scored stand at 557, averaging 69.6 points per game. Defensively, North Mecklenburg has allowed 404 points, with opponents scoring an average of 50.5 points per game.

Scoring and Game Breakdown

Pembroke Pines Charter

PPC’s scoring distribution reflects a team that can make an impact early, but tends to slow down towards the end of games. In the first quarter, they average 16.7 points, but their scoring drops slightly in subsequent quarters: 14.7 in the second, 14.5 in the third, and 8.8 in the fourth. Despite this, their offensive balance has been crucial to their success, and they have been able to close out games with strong finishes.

North Mecklenburg

North Mecklenburg’s offensive flow appears to be more consistent across the four quarters. They score an impressive 21.0 points in the first quarter and maintain strong outputs in subsequent quarters: 14.0 in the second, 11.0 in the third, and another 11.0 in the fourth. This balance and consistency in scoring make them a tough team to outlast, as they can sustain their pressure throughout the game.

Statistical Comparison

Points Per Game

• PPC: 56.7
• NM: 69.6

North Mecklenburg holds a clear advantage in terms of points per game, with a significant 12.9-point lead over Pembroke Pines Charter.

Rebounds Per Game

• PPC: 31.4
• NM: (No data available)

While North Mecklenburg’s rebound stats are not listed, Pembroke Pines Charter has consistently maintained a solid rebounding presence, averaging 31.4 rebounds per game.

Assists Per Game

• PPC: 9.6
• NM: (No data available)

PPC leads in assists, showing a more team-oriented approach to their offense, with an average of 9.6 assists per game.

Steals Per Game

• PPC: 6.7
• NM: (No data available)

PPC also edges out North Mecklenburg in steals, averaging 6.7 steals per game. This indicates a more aggressive defensive approach for PPC.

Blocks Per Game

• PPC: 1.1
• NM: (No data available)

PPC’s block average is modest, but their defense, in general, seems to play a key role in their success, along with their ability to disrupt passing lanes and create turnovers.

Key Players to Watch

Pembroke Pines Charter

• Maximo Ortega (13.6 PPG): The team’s leading scorer, Ortega has been instrumental in the team’s offensive attack.
• Robert Guishard (8.9 RPG): Guishard leads in rebounding, making him a crucial player for securing possession and helping his team gain second-chance opportunities.
• Zemari Days (3.0 APG): Days has been the team’s primary playmaker, averaging 3.0 assists per game.

North Mecklenburg

• Maximo Ortega (PPC): Ortega has been the standout player for Pembroke Pines Charter, and will be a player North Mecklenburg will need to watch out for in any potential matchups.

Head-to-Head Breakdown

Both teams have built strong resumes, but they’ve yet to face off against each other, leaving the outcome of a potential matchup uncertain. Both teams are undefeated in their district or conference, which sets the stage for an exciting clash should they meet in the postseason.

Home vs. Away Performance

PPC has shown a better performance on its home court, with a 4-1 record compared to its 2-1 away record. North Mecklenburg, on the other hand, has been particularly strong on the road, boasting an undefeated 3-0 away record, making them a tough opponent no matter the location.

Conclusion

Both Pembroke Pines Charter and North Mecklenburg have proven themselves to be forces to be reckoned with this season. While North Mecklenburg holds the edge in overall points per game and an unbeaten conference record, Pembroke Pines Charter’s well-rounded team performance and defensive capabilities have made them a formidable competitor in Florida. As both teams continue to progress, fans can expect exciting matchups as they each push towards their respective postseason goals.