The Pennington (NJ) varsity basketball team will play a home non-conference game against St. Joseph-by-the-Sea (Staten Island, NY) today at 5:45 p.m.

Game Details:

• Opponent: St. Joseph-by-the-Sea (SJBS)
• Date: Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024
• Time: 5:45 p.m.
• Live stream: Watch Here
• Location: Pennington, NJ

Basketball Team Comparison: St. Joseph-by-the-Sea vs. Pennington (2024-2025 Season)

As we head deeper into the 2024-2025 basketball season, a closer look at the performance of St. Joseph-by-the-Sea (NY) and Pennington (NJ) reveals some key insights into their strengths, strategies, and overall competitiveness.

St. Joseph-by-the-Sea Overview

St. Joseph-by-the-Sea has demonstrated a balanced record with a 3-3 overall standing, showing promise in both home and away games. The team’s league performance stands at 3-1, showcasing a solid win rate within their league games, though they have faced challenges in non-league matchups, with a 0-2 record. At home, the team has struggled slightly with a 2-3 record, but their road performances have been strong with a 1-0 record, indicating they are capable of performing under pressure away from home.

Key statistics for St. Joseph-by-the-Sea highlight an average of 54.7 points per game across four quarters. They score an average of 11.0 points in the first quarter, with a strong second quarter performance (14.8 points), and continue to build their momentum with consistent scoring in the third and fourth quarters (15.0 and 13.8 points, respectively). Despite their relatively low overall win percentage (.500), the team’s scoring efficiency remains respectable, and they have shown resilience in close matchups.

Pennington Overview

Pennington enters the 2024-2025 season with a strong 6-1 overall record. Their lone loss came outside their league games, highlighting their dominance within their local competition. The team’s overall win percentage (.857) is a testament to their consistent performance across all aspects of their schedule.

At home, Pennington remains perfect with a 3-0 record, and they have also proven their strength in neutral site games, where they maintain a 3-1 record. This broad success across different game types shows the team’s versatility and ability to adapt. They score an impressive 59.0 points per game, with a balanced approach across all four quarters. Pennington averages 13.0 points in the first two quarters, ramps up their offense in the third quarter (23.0 points), and finishes strong with 21.0 points in the final period.

Head-to-Head Matchup

While the two teams have not faced each other head-to-head yet this season, the differences in their overall performance are striking. Pennington’s 6-1 record contrasts with St. Joseph-by-the-Sea’s 3-3, giving Pennington a clear edge in terms of momentum and consistency. However, St. Joseph-by-the-Sea’s ability to perform well on the road and their solid league record cannot be overlooked, making a potential matchup between the two an intriguing prospect.

Record Breakdown

Looking at the breakdown of records for both teams, we see how each has performed in different situations:

• St. Joseph-by-the-Sea: Their overall 3-3 record includes a 3-1 mark in league games and a 2-3 home record. This suggests a strong showing in league play, but the team has room for improvement on their home court.
• Pennington: Pennington’s 6-1 record is dominated by league play, where they are undefeated (6-0). Their success in neutral and away games (3-1) further bolsters their reputation as a strong and adaptable team.

Scoring Averages and Playoff Potential

Pennington’s high-scoring offense, particularly in the latter stages of games, could pose a challenge for any opponent. Their ability to increase scoring in the second half, especially in the third and fourth quarters, is one of their key strengths. Conversely, St. Joseph-by-the-Sea will need to rely on a more balanced approach throughout the game to compete against higher-scoring teams like Pennington.

With playoffs on the horizon, Pennington’s impressive 4-1 record in out-of-state games and their undefeated home and league standing make them a formidable contender. St. Joseph-by-the-Sea, while facing some challenges, will need to capitalize on their strong away record and find a way to improve their performance at home if they are to make a deep playoff run.

Conclusion

Both St. Joseph-by-the-Sea and Pennington have shown potential, but Pennington’s dominance in their league and overall impressive performance places them ahead as the stronger team so far this season. However, the competitive spirit of St. Joseph-by-the-Sea, particularly their ability to perform on the road, could make for an exciting matchup if these teams cross paths in postseason play. The rest of the season promises to be exciting as both teams continue to refine their strategies and work toward playoff success.