The North Providence (RI) varsity basketball team will play a home conference game against Middletown (RI) on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at 7:00 PM.

Game Details:

• Matchup: Middletown vs North Providence High School
• Date: Thursday, January 23, 2025
• Time: 7:00 PM
• Live stream: Watch Here
• Live stream: Watch Here

A Look at the 2024-2025 High School Basketball Season: Middletown vs. North Providence

As the 2024-2025 high school basketball season progresses, two teams in Rhode Island have made notable marks with their performances: Middletown and North Providence. The teams are both vying for supremacy in the Rhode Island Division standings, yet they come from different ends of the spectrum in terms of record, scoring, and consistency.

Middletown’s Record and Performance

Middletown enters the season with a mixed record of 4-6 overall, with a 3-3 mark in league play. The team’s performance has been a blend of wins and losses, with strong home showings (2-1) but struggles on the road (2-4). Despite their challenges, Middletown has managed to score an average of 53.3 points per game, although they have been outscored by opponents overall, with a total of 605 points allowed against 533 points scored.

Notably, Middletown has faced a series of difficult matchups. Their most recent losses came against Coventry (71-56) and Barrington (70-50). However, they have also managed to notch key wins, including a 60-50 victory over St. Raphael Academy and a close 47-46 win over Tiverton. As the season progresses, Middletown will need to build more consistency, particularly in their away games, if they are to improve their standing.

North Providence’s Record and Performance

On the other hand, North Providence has been a dominant force this season. With an impressive 11-1 overall record, including a stellar 10-1 mark in league play, they have shown both offensive and defensive prowess. North Providence has scored an average of 59.7 points per game, outscoring their opponents by a significant margin, with 716 points scored versus 613 points allowed.

Their record on the road is also remarkable, sitting at 7-1, and they are perfect at home with a 4-0 record. This well-rounded team has shown their strength against both local and non-league opponents, including wins against Coventry (69-59), St. Raphael Academy (66-50), and Tiverton (75-45). Their only loss of the season came at the hands of South Kingstown (61-36) but they have bounced back with impressive performances in subsequent games.

Team Scoring Averages

In terms of scoring, North Providence is far ahead, averaging 59.7 points per game compared to Middletown’s 53.3. The disparity in scoring has been evident in many of their games, with North Providence able to consistently put up bigger numbers. In particular, their first-quarter scoring average of 23 points per game shows a high level of intensity right from the opening buzzer, which often sets the tone for the rest of the game.

Meanwhile, Middletown has struggled to maintain offensive momentum throughout the game, as reflected in their overall scoring numbers. To catch up with teams like North Providence, they will need to focus on improving their scoring efficiency, especially early in the game.

Head-to-Head and Common Opponents

When it comes to head-to-head matchups, the two teams have not faced each other yet this season. However, looking at their results against common opponents offers some insight into how they might fare when they finally meet.

Middletown holds a 3-2 record against common opponents, while North Providence has been dominant with a 5-1 record. For example, against Coventry, Middletown lost 71-56 while North Providence emerged victorious with a 69-59 win. This contrast in results could be telling when the teams finally clash.

Record Breakdown

A deeper breakdown of the teams’ records highlights the differences in their overall success:

• Middletown (4-6, 3-3 in league): Struggles have been apparent in non-league games (1-2), and they will need to improve their consistency to climb up the standings. Their home games have been strong, but their away performances have been less reliable.
• North Providence (11-1, 10-1 in league): Their near-perfect record speaks to their dominance in the league, and they have been impressive both at home and away. Their lone loss came at the hands of South Kingstown, but their consistency across all aspects of the game makes them a formidable opponent.

Looking Ahead

With the remainder of the season ahead, both teams have plenty to play for. Middletown will need to find a way to overcome their away-game struggles and consistently score to make a push for a higher league finish. For North Providence, maintaining their winning form and continuing to dominate their opponents will be key to securing a top spot in the standings and heading into the playoffs with momentum.

As both teams continue to face tough competition, particularly against their shared opponents, the final stretch of the season promises to be thrilling. Will Middletown rise to the challenge, or will North Providence continue their dominance? Only time will tell.