The Northside Jacksonville (Jacksonville, NC) varsity basketball team will play a neutral non-conference game against Swansboro (NC) today at 7:30 PM.

Game Details:

• Matchup: Swansboro vs. Northside Jacksonville
• Date: Saturday, December 28, 2024
• Time: 7:30 PM
• Live stream: Watch Here
• Event: Christmas Tournament at Richlands

Swansboro vs. Northside – Jacksonville: A Strong Start to the Season

As the high school basketball season heats up, Swansboro and Northside – Jacksonville are two teams with contrasting records, but both have shown promise in their early games. The Swansboro Pirates (24-25) have had an outstanding start to their season, sitting at an impressive 9-0, while Northside – Jacksonville (24-25) has had a more mixed performance with a 4-4 record.

Swansboro: Dominating Early on

Swansboro has been a powerhouse this season, showing strong performance on both ends of the court. They are undefeated at 9-0, with a perfect 3-0 record at home, 5-0 on the road, and 1-0 in neutral-site games. The Pirates’ offensive game is led by Jermaine Cunningham, who has averaged 20.0 points per game. Cunningham’s strong scoring ability, along with his contributions in rebounds (9.4 per game), assists (5.0 per game), and steals (3.9 per game), has made him a dominant force on the floor. Swansboro’s offense is potent, averaging 75.1 points per game, fueled by impressive scoring in the third quarter (23.0 points per game).

In addition to Cunningham, Tayvion Tangiora has contributed in the paint, averaging 3.0 blocks per game. The team’s collective effort in rebounding (31.7 rebounds per game) and their aggressive defense (10.6 steals per game) has made them a tough opponent for any team they face.

Northside – Jacksonville: Seeking Consistency

On the other hand, Northside – Jacksonville, while having a .500 record of 4-4, has shown some flashes of brilliance. Their record is split, with 2-4 at home and 2-0 on the road, and they will need to improve their performance at home as the season progresses. Their offense averages 56.8 points per game, with their strongest quarter being the fourth (22.0 points per game). Xavier Ritter has been the team’s leading scorer with 10.3 points per game, and Reginald Gray III has also been a key contributor with 6.6 rebounds per game.

The Northside defense has struggled at times, allowing 480 points this season, but they have managed to keep games competitive. The team averages 11.9 steals per game, which shows their aggressive defensive style. However, they will need to increase their scoring consistency if they hope to challenge stronger teams like Swansboro.

Head-to-Head: Swansboro Wins 70-59

The most recent meeting between these two teams took place on November 19, with Swansboro securing a 70-59 victory over Northside – Jacksonville in a non-conference game. This win adds to Swansboro’s perfect record, demonstrating their dominance over their conference rival. With their high-scoring offense and disciplined defense, Swansboro was able to overcome Northside’s efforts, led by Ritter’s 10.3 points per game.

Team Stats Comparison

Looking at the overall statistics, Swansboro clearly has the edge in most categories:

• Points Per Game: Swansboro 65.2, Northside – Jacksonville 48.4
• Rebounds Per Game: Swansboro 31.7, Northside – Jacksonville 26.6
• Assists Per Game: Swansboro 13.0, Northside – Jacksonville 11.4
• Steals Per Game: Swansboro 10.6, Northside – Jacksonville 11.9
• Blocks Per Game: Swansboro 4.3, Northside – Jacksonville 2.5

Swansboro’s superior offense and rebounding will be difficult for Northside to overcome, but the Northside defense, led by the likes of Joaliel Caraballo, could be the key to pulling off an upset in future games.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced several common opponents so far this season. Swansboro holds a 4-0 record against teams like J.H. Rose, Havelock, and Jacksonville, while Northside – Jacksonville is 3-1 against similar teams, including wins over Richlands and Dixon. These head-to-head matchups with common opponents could be an indicator of how each team matches up against similarly skilled competition.

Looking Ahead

As the season progresses, both teams will have plenty of opportunities to improve their records. Swansboro will continue to focus on maintaining their undefeated streak and sharpening their skills for tougher competition, while Northside – Jacksonville will need to build momentum, especially at home, to challenge for a stronger postseason position.

In their next game, Northside – Jacksonville will face off against J.H. Rose on January 3, while Swansboro will take on Richlands on January 10. These upcoming games will provide both teams a chance to prove their capabilities and continue their paths in the 2024-25 season.

Swansboro remains the team to beat, but Northside – Jacksonville has the potential to turn its season around and make a statement in the coming weeks. The rivalry between these two teams is one to watch closely as the season unfolds.