The Plymouth (IN) varsity basketball team will host NorthWood (Nappanee, IN) for a conference game today at 7:30 p.m.

Plymouth vs NorthWood Game Info:

What: Indiana High School Basketball
Who: Plymouth (IN) vs NorthWood (IN)
When: Friday, December 20, 2024
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here

Game preview: Plymouth vs NorthWood

As the 2024-2025 high school basketball season progresses, the rivalry between NorthWood and Plymouth has captured the attention of fans and analysts alike. With contrasting records and team dynamics, both squads have shown unique strengths and areas for improvement. Let’s take a closer look at how these two teams compare and what to expect in their upcoming games.

Team Performance Overview

NorthWood (24-25)
NorthWood has emerged as a dominant force this season with a perfect 6-0 record, boasting an unblemished win percentage of 1.000. Their performance on both ends of the court has been impressive, as they average 62.5 points per game, far surpassing their opponents’ scoring averages. The Panthers are strong offensively, with a well-balanced scoring distribution across all four quarters—averaging 12.0 points in the first quarter, 21.0 in the second, 17.5 in the third, and 13.5 in the final frame. With 375 points scored against 220 allowed, their defense has been equally effective, ensuring their continued success.

Plymouth (24-25)
Plymouth, on the other hand, has faced a more challenging season with a 3-4 overall record and a win percentage of just .429. The Rockies have been inconsistent across various matchups, particularly in away games, where they hold a 2-3 record. Despite averaging a respectable 50.7 points per game, their inability to consistently close games has been a key factor in their struggles. Their scoring, distributed across four quarters, starts strong but drops off, with 10.0 points in the first quarter, 11.0 in the second, 15.5 in the third, and only 10.5 in the final quarter.

Team Stat Comparison

When comparing the overall team statistics for NorthWood and Plymouth, NorthWood shows a clear advantage in almost every category:

• Points Per Game: NorthWood leads with an average of 62.5, significantly outpacing Plymouth’s 50.7.
• Rebounds Per Game: NorthWood’s Kadyn Ellery shines here, averaging 11.0 rebounds per game, compared to Plymouth’s team average of 26.5.
• Assists Per Game: NorthWood also edges out Plymouth with 7.8 assists per game, largely due to Ellery’s 1.8 assists, which leads the team.
• Steals and Blocks Per Game: NorthWood’s Preston Wolfe leads in steals with 2.0 per game, while Ellery also tops the blocks category with 1.3.

Team Leaders

NorthWood:

• Points Per Game: Kadyn Ellery leads with 13.8 points per game, followed by strong contributions from teammates.
• Rebounds Per Game: Ellery again dominates with 11.0, establishing herself as a key presence in the paint.
• Assists Per Game: Ellery also leads with 1.8 assists per game, though the team could benefit from more playmaking.
• Steals and Blocks: Wolfe’s 2.0 steals per game makes him a disruptive force on defense, while Ellery’s 1.3 blocks show her ability to protect the rim.

Plymouth:

• Points Per Game: The Rockies’ leading scorer is currently averaging just 5.3 points per game, highlighting their scoring struggles.
• Rebounds Per Game: Plymouth’s leading rebounder is averaging 2.8, which is far behind NorthWood’s star player.
• Assists and Steals: The team’s assists leader averages only 1.1, and their steals leader posts just 1.0, further illustrating their need for a more aggressive approach on both sides of the ball.

Common Opponents

Both NorthWood and Plymouth have faced some of the same teams this season. Notably, they both played Triton, with NorthWood securing a dominant 62-25 win, while Plymouth lost narrowly 46-43. This contrast further highlights NorthWood’s superior form compared to Plymouth, especially against common opponents. As the season progresses, these matchups will be crucial in assessing the teams’ potential for post-season success.

Record Breakdown

• NorthWood:
  • 6-0 Overall
  • 3-0 Home
  • 2-0 Away
  • 1-0 Neutral
  • 6-0 Non-League
  • 0-0 League
• Plymouth:
  • 3-4 Overall
  • 1-1 Home
  • 2-3 Away
  • 0-0 Neutral
  • 3-3 In-State
  • 0-1 Out-of-State

Despite the struggles on the road for Plymouth, their ability to compete in close games gives them a glimmer of hope for future improvement. NorthWood’s undefeated record across all conditions, however, indicates their readiness for tougher challenges.

Looking Ahead

Both teams have important games ahead, and their meeting later in the season will be crucial for Plymouth to prove they can compete at a higher level. NorthWood, with its undefeated record and strong overall performance, will likely remain the favorite going into these matchups. However, the Rockies will need to step up their game, particularly in terms of scoring consistency and closing out games, to compete with NorthWood’s high-powered offense and solid defense.

As we head into the heart of the season, all eyes will be on these two teams, especially with their head-to-head matchups and their performances against other top opponents.