The Pope John Paul II (Hendersonville, TN) varsity basketball team will play a neutral-site tournament game against Columbia Central (Columbia, TN) today at 4:30 PM.

Here’s what you need Basketball to know:

What: Tennessee High School Basketball
Who: Pope John Paul II vs Columbia Central
When: Saturday, December 21, 2024
Time: 4:30. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch Here

Columbia Central vs. Pope John Paul II: A Season Comparison

As the high school basketball season unfolds, two teams from Tennessee, Columbia Central and Pope John Paul II, offer contrasting records and performances, with clear distinctions in their statistics. Let’s take a closer look at how these two teams have fared so far in the 2024-2025 season.

Overall Performance

Columbia Central enters the season with a 2-7 record, marking a challenging start. The team’s performance has been split across home, away, and neutral games, showing struggles on the road. At home, they sit at 1-2, while away they are 1-4, and they have yet to win a neutral-site game, recording 0-1. With a win percentage of .222, Columbia Central has scored a total of 406 points, while allowing 504, putting them at a significant disadvantage in many of their contests.

In contrast, Pope John Paul II boasts an impressive 10-1 record. They have been particularly dominant at home, with a perfect 5-0 record. Their away performance has been equally strong at 2-1, and they have excelled in neutral-site games, maintaining a perfect 3-0 record. With a stellar win percentage of .909, Pope John Paul II has scored 777 points while allowing 600, showing both offensive power and defensive resilience.

Scoring Averages

Looking deeper into the scoring averages, Columbia Central averages 45.1 points per game, with their scoring spread across four quarters: 15.0 in the first, 9.0 in the second, 13.5 in the third, and 10.0 in the fourth. They’ve also shown some resilience in overtime with an average of 2.0 points. However, their scoring consistency across quarters appears to be a challenge.

Pope John Paul II, on the other hand, averages a remarkable 70.6 points per game. Their scoring is notably consistent across all quarters, with 24.0 points in the first quarter, 17.0 in the second, and 15.0 in the third. They finish strong with 22.0 points in the fourth quarter. Pope John Paul II has shown an impressive offensive output that has translated into a highly effective season.

Key Statistical Categories

When comparing the teams’ overall statistical performance, Pope John Paul II outshines Columbia Central in nearly every category:

• Points Per Game: Pope John Paul II leads with 70.6 compared to Columbia Central’s 45.1.
• Rebounds Per Game: Columbia Central is better here with 30.3 rebounds per game, although Pope John Paul II is not far behind at 29.5.
• Assists Per Game: Columbia Central again leads with 13.5, but Pope John Paul II remains competitive with 12.0.
• Steals Per Game: Pope John Paul II has an edge with 8.6 steals per game, compared to Columbia Central’s 7.5.
• Blocks Per Game: Columbia Central’s Kamden Days has been an impact player with 3.1 blocks per game, compared to Pope John Paul II’s average of 2.1.

Team Leaders

Both teams have standout players leading the way:

• Columbia Central: Osby Cavin has been exceptional, contributing 18.1 points per game and 5.1 assists per game. His 2.7 steals per game also reflect his strong defensive presence. Kamden Days has also stood out with 8.4 rebounds per game and 2.2 blocks per game, showcasing his presence in the paint.
• Pope John Paul II: While Pope John Paul II has a more balanced scoring effort across multiple players, Xavier Thompson has emerged as a key player, averaging 14.0 points per game and leading the team in assists. Jacob Ford has provided additional scoring, while Jordan Clark contributes significantly on the boards.

Record Breakdown

When it comes to in-state and non-league performances, the contrast in the teams’ results is even more evident. Columbia Central has struggled against non-league opponents with a 2-7 record, whereas Pope John Paul II has dominated, finishing 9-1 in the same category. Both teams are yet to play a playoff game this season, but Pope John Paul II’s undefeated in-state record of 10-0 paints a picture of a team well-prepared for post-season success.

Conclusion

As the season progresses, the disparity between Columbia Central and Pope John Paul II is clear. Columbia Central has faced significant challenges, struggling to find consistency in scoring and defense. In contrast, Pope John Paul II has proven itself as a powerhouse, excelling both offensively and defensively. If Columbia Central is to turn its season around, it will need to address its scoring issues and find ways to compete more effectively in key areas such as defense and rebounding. Pope John Paul II, meanwhile, appears poised to continue its dominance with strong performances across the board.