The Olathe Northwest varsity basketball team (Olathe, KS) will host Shawnee Mission South (Shawnee Mission, KS) in a conference game on Friday, January 31, at 7 PM.
Olathe Northwest vs Shawnee Mission South Game Info:
What: Kansas High School Basketball
Who: Olathe Northwest (KS) vs Shawnee Mission South (KS)
When: Friday, January 31, 2025
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here
Game preview: Olathe Northwest vs Shawnee Mission South
As the 2024-2025 high school basketball season heats up, two Kansas teams, Shawnee Mission South and Olathe Northwest, stand out with impressive records. Shawnee Mission South remains undefeated, with a perfect 10-0 record, while Olathe Northwest, though not as dominant, has an 8-3 overall record and shows resilience in tough matchups. In this article, we will dive into their performance stats, key players, and common opponents to see how these two teams compare heading into the remainder of the season.
Team Performance Overview
Shawnee Mission South (24-25)
- Overall Record: 10-0
- District Record: 3-0
- Home Record: 5-0
- Away Record: 4-0
- Neutral Record: 1-0
- Win Percentage: 1.000 (Perfect season)
- District Percentage: 1.000
- Points Scored (PF): 609
- Points Allowed (PA): 383
Shawnee Mission South has proven to be a powerhouse this season. With an unbeaten record, they’ve dominated across all game locations, outscoring opponents by a significant margin. The team has shown excellent consistency, averaging 60.9 points per game, with their highest output in the second quarter (18.5 points) and their lowest in the fourth quarter (7.8 points). Their defense has also been impressive, allowing only 383 points in 10 games.
Olathe Northwest (24-25)
- Overall Record: 8-3
- District Record: 2-2
- Home Record: 1-1
- Away Record: 2-1
- Neutral Record: 5-1
- Win Percentage: .727
- District Percentage: .500
- Points Scored (PF): 603
- Points Allowed (PA): 519
Olathe Northwest has been a competitive team this season with a solid 8-3 record. Their win percentage of .727 shows they are a strong contender, though they’ve faced more challenges in district play, as evidenced by their .500 district win rate. They score an average of 54.8 points per game, with a consistent performance across all quarters, peaking in the fourth quarter with 14.5 points. However, their defense has been less effective compared to Shawnee Mission South, allowing 519 points so far.
Key Player Contributions
- Shawnee Mission South
- Gavin Popik: Leading scorer with 19.5 points per game and 2.5 steals per game. His ability to impact both ends of the court makes him a crucial player for the team.
- Jj Lee: Averaging 7.5 rebounds per game and 2.4 blocks per game, Lee’s presence on defense has been key to their success.
- Merak Greinert: Contributing 2.7 assists per game, Greinert is essential in setting up plays and keeping the offense flowing.
- Olathe Northwest
- Gavin Popik: Leading scorer with 5.0 points per game and 2.5 steals per game. He also contributes defensively with 2.4 blocks per game.
- Jj Lee: Averaging 7.5 rebounds per game and contributing 2.4 blocks per game.
- Merak Greinert: With 2.7 assists per game, Greinert’s playmaking is pivotal in setting up offensive opportunities.
Team Scoring Averages
| Quarter | Shawnee Mission South | Olathe Northwest |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 16.5 | 12.5 |
| Q2 | 18.5 | 13.4 |
| Q3 | 14.0 | 14.4 |
| Q4 | 7.8 | 14.5 |
| Total | 60.9 | 54.8 |
Shawnee Mission South leads in scoring across all quarters, with a strong second-quarter showing. Olathe Northwest has a more balanced attack, especially in the final quarter where they tend to score their most points. Shawnee Mission South, however, has been more efficient overall, averaging 60.9 points per game compared to Olathe Northwest’s 54.8.
Common Opponents
Both teams have faced similar opponents this season, though Shawnee Mission South holds a perfect 3-0 record against them, while Olathe Northwest is 3-2. Some key matchups include:
- Olathe West: Shawnee Mission South defeated them 63-48, while Olathe Northwest lost to them 70-52.
- Shawnee Mission North: Shawnee Mission South has yet to play Shawnee Mission North in this season’s matchups, but Olathe Northwest recently lost to them 54-51.
- Lawrence Free State: Both teams are set to face Lawrence Free State in upcoming games, with Shawnee Mission South having a strong season thus far.
Looking Ahead
Shawnee Mission South’s perfect record and dominance in both offense and defense make them a formidable force. They will face several tough tests in the coming weeks, but with their current form, they are poised to keep their unbeaten streak alive. On the other hand, Olathe Northwest will need to improve their district performance and tighten their defense to remain competitive against top teams.
As both teams approach key matchups and prepare for district playoffs, fans can expect exciting basketball and some thrilling contests. Shawnee Mission South may be the team to beat, but Olathe Northwest is more than capable of pulling off an upset with their strong finish in key games. The season is far from over, and the rivalry between these two teams could culminate in a dramatic showdown down the line.
