The Princeton High School (WV) varsity basketball team is set to play a neutral non-conference game against Linsly (Wheeling, WV) today at 2:45 p.m.

Game Details:

• Matchup: Linsly vs. Princeton
• Date: Saturday, January 11, 2025
• Time: 2:45 p.m.
• Live stream: Watch Here
• Location: Neutral Site

Linsly and Princeton: A Statistical Showdown

As the 2024-2025 basketball season unfolds, both Linsly and Princeton high schools have shown unique strengths and weaknesses. Here’s a deeper dive into their records, team stats, and key player performances to get a clearer picture of how both teams are shaping up.

Team Records and Performance Breakdown

Linsly (24-25)
Linsly’s season has been a rollercoaster, with an overall record of 3-7. Their performance at home has been a bright spot, boasting an undefeated 2-0 record. However, they have struggled on the road with just a 1-2 record and a challenging 0-5 record in neutral-site games. This discrepancy highlights the importance of their home court advantage, as they have demonstrated the ability to perform well when they have the crowd behind them.

Key stats for Linsly include a solid points per game (PPG) average of 59.6, but their defense has been a major challenge. They’ve allowed 703 points so far, with opponents averaging about 70.3 points per game against them. This high scoring against them could be an area to address in future games.

Princeton (24-25)
Princeton’s record of 3-1 is much more positive, showing a clear distinction in their overall performance. With a league record of 0-1 and a strong 2-0 non-league performance, they’ve managed to dominate in their out-of-state matchups. Their point differential is also notable: while they average 58.8 points per game, they allow just 47.8, showcasing a strong defensive mindset that gives them an edge.

In terms of home vs. away performance, Princeton has managed a decent 1-1 record at home, but it’s their neutral game record (2-0) that stands out, potentially indicating their resilience in non-home environments.

Scoring Averages: The Battle of Quarter Performances

Both teams have different styles when it comes to scoring across the game. Linsly scores an average of 59.6 points per game, with balanced scoring across all four quarters:

• Q1: 18.5
• Q2: 14.5
• Q3: 15.0
• Q4: 14.5

Their strongest quarter is Q1, where they put up nearly 19 points. However, they struggle a bit in Q3 and Q4, where the team’s scoring slightly dips.

Princeton, on the other hand, has a lower overall point total, averaging 58.8 points per game. However, they show a distinct shift in their scoring patterns:

• Q1: 14.0
• Q2: 8.0
• Q3: 8.0
• Q4: 17.0

Princeton seems to save their best for last, as they score significantly more in the fourth quarter (17 points) compared to the first three. This could indicate their ability to close out games strong, which can be crucial for tight contests.

Team Stat Comparison: Strengths and Weaknesses

Linsly and Princeton show differing strengths in team stats:

• Linsly averages 57.5 points per game and excels in rebounds with 38.0 per game. They also have a notable 12.5 assists per game, contributing to a well-rounded team effort. However, they struggle defensively with only 13.3 steals and 2.0 blocks per game.
• Princeton shows a more balanced approach with 57.5 points per game but excels in defense, averaging 13.3 steals per game and 2.0 blocks per game. This suggests that their defensive game is more aggressive, likely putting pressure on opponents throughout the game.

Key Players: Standouts in Scoring and Defense

For Linsly, Jayce Gumm has been the standout performer, averaging 13.3 points per game and pulling down 9.5 rebounds per game. His efforts on both ends of the court have kept the team competitive, especially on the glass.

Princeton’s leadership comes from Daniel Jennings, who is averaging 3.3 steals per game and contributing 0.8 blocks per game. His defensive prowess has been a key factor in Princeton’s success so far. Additionally, Jayce Gumm’s dominance on the boards and his scoring capability make him a key threat for any opposing team.

Conclusion

As both teams continue their seasons, their records reflect the balance of strengths and weaknesses. Linsly’s strong home performance and Princeton’s defensive excellence provide intriguing contrasts. The real test for both teams will be adjusting their gameplay—Linsly needs to shore up their defense, while Princeton will need to continue finding ways to close out games in the fourth quarter.

Fans can look forward to seeing how these teams evolve throughout the remainder of the season, and any future matchups between these two will surely be hard-fought affairs.