The Westlake varsity basketball team (Saratoga Springs, UT) will host Pleasant Grove (UT) for a home conference game on Friday, January 17 at 7:30 PM.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Utah High School Basketball
Who: Pleasant Grove vs Westlake
When: Friday, January 17, 2025
Time: 7:30. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here

Game Preview: Pleasant Grove vs Westlake

As the Utah high school basketball season progresses, a much-anticipated rivalry game is set to take place between the Pleasant Grove Vikings and the Westlake Thunder. The teams will meet in a crucial conference game on Friday, January 17, 2025, at Westlake’s home court in Saratoga Springs, UT. This game promises to be an exciting matchup, as both teams look to improve their records and gain momentum heading into the latter part of the season.

Team Overview: Pleasant Grove vs. Westlake

Pleasant Grove Vikings (6-8 overall, 0-1 region)

• The Pleasant Grove Vikings have faced a tough season so far with a 6-8 overall record, but they remain hopeful with their upcoming conference matchups. Their win percentage stands at .429, with a region percentage of 0.000. The Vikings have a strong offensive game, averaging 61.1 points per game, but have struggled defensively, allowing 890 points across the season.
• Top scorer for the Vikings is #32 Brennan Blackett, who averages 10.9 points per game and also leads in rebounds with 4.7 per game. Pleasant Grove will look to build on Blackett’s efforts, while also needing improvements in team defense and efficiency to compete with Westlake.

Westlake Thunder (10-4 overall, 1-0 region)

• Westlake has performed impressively so far with a 10-4 record, maintaining a win percentage of .714 and a perfect 1.000 record in region play. The Thunder have averaged 63.9 points per game, bolstered by their offensive balance and strong defense, which has allowed them to limit opponents to just 766 points so far.
• Westlake’s team leader is not yet specified in terms of individual stats, but their depth and consistent performance in all facets of the game are key contributors to their success. Westlake’s team scoring averages also suggest a more dynamic and higher-scoring style compared to their opponents.

Head-to-Head: A Tight Rivalry

The head-to-head statistics between these two teams show an exciting contrast of styles. Pleasant Grove’s offensive attack averages 61.1 points per game, with strong performances in each quarter, especially in the third and fourth quarters. Westlake, on the other hand, averages a slightly higher 63.9 points per game, with a particularly explosive third-quarter performance.

The upcoming game on January 17 will see these teams battle it out for dominance on the court, each with unique strengths and weaknesses. Pleasant Grove will need to keep up with Westlake’s efficient scoring, while Westlake will aim to tighten their defense to prevent the Vikings from exploiting their vulnerabilities.

Scoring Averages Breakdown

• Pleasant Grove: 14.6 points in the first quarter, 13.2 in the second, 16.5 in the third, and 15.8 in the fourth. This shows their capability to close out games strongly.
• Westlake: 12.3 points in the first quarter, 11.8 in the second, a solid 18.4 in the third, and 10.6 in the fourth. Their higher third-quarter scoring could make them a tough team to beat in the second half.

Common Opponents

Looking at the common opponents for both teams, Westlake has a slight edge in head-to-head matchups. Both teams have faced Herriman, Bingham, Cedar Valley, and Skyridge, but Westlake’s record against these teams is 2-3, compared to Pleasant Grove’s 1-3. This gives Westlake a confidence boost, especially as they approach the crucial league game.

Team Leaders: Pleasant Grove’s Brennan Blackett and Westlake’s Balanced Attack

Pleasant Grove’s #32 Brennan Blackett will be the key player for the Vikings. With a team-leading 10.9 points per game and an additional 4.7 rebounds, Blackett will need to continue his strong performances if the Vikings are to compete with Westlake.

On the other hand, Westlake’s team is less reliant on one single player but rather a collective effort. They have shown strength across the board in terms of scoring, rebounding, and defending. The Thunder’s depth will be one of their strongest assets as they seek to contain Pleasant Grove’s offensive threats.

Looking Ahead

The upcoming games between Pleasant Grove and Westlake will not only be a showcase of individual talent but also a test of each team’s ability to execute under pressure. Following their game on January 17, Pleasant Grove and Westlake will face off again on February 7, 2025, at Pleasant Grove’s home court. Fans of both teams are eagerly anticipating this rivalry, knowing that these games could be pivotal in deciding the region standings as the season progresses.

With both teams showing promise and potential, the clash between Pleasant Grove and Westlake is one that basketball fans in Utah will not want to miss.