The Richland Northeast (Columbia, SC) varsity basketball team will host Westwood (Blythewood, SC) in a non-conference game today at 7:30 p.m.

Here’s what you need to know Basketball:

What: South Carolina High School Basketball
Who: Richland Northeast vs Westwood
When: Friday, December 13, 2024
Time: 7:30. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch Here

Westwood vs. Richland Northeast: A Tale of Two Basketball Teams

The upcoming matchup between Westwood High School (Blythewood, SC) and Richland Northeast High School (Columbia, SC) promises to be an intriguing contest, particularly when looking at both teams’ performances so far this season.

Westwood’s Strong Start

Westwood enters this game with an impressive undefeated record of 8-0. The team has shown dominance in all aspects of the game, posting an average of 64.0 points per game (PPG) while limiting their opponents to just 34.2 points per game. The team has displayed excellent depth, with standout players like D’Marcus Thomas leading the way with 16.3 points per game, along with 4.7 assists per game. The team’s defense is just as strong, averaging 11.5 steals and 6.5 blocks per game. Westwood’s overall balance is reflected in their scoring average across all quarters, with 11.0 points in the first, 6.5 in the second, 12.5 in the third, and 9.5 in the fourth, leading to a final score average of 62.3 points per game.

Richland Northeast’s Struggles

On the other hand, Richland Northeast has faced a more difficult start to their season with a 2-4 record. Their offensive struggles have been evident, with the team averaging only 40.0 points per game. In comparison, Westwood’s high-scoring offense will likely present a significant challenge. Richland Northeast’s scoring tends to pick up later in games, with 15.0 points per game in the fourth quarter, but their overall average of 46.2 points per game is far behind Westwood’s impressive tally.

Richland Northeast also struggles with consistency in other areas, averaging only 22.3 rebounds, 8.0 assists, and 8.8 steals per game. Despite the challenges, the team has some notable individual performances, with Emmanuel Ard contributing 14.4 points per game and Joshua Nunn pulling down 9.5 rebounds per game. However, these individual efforts have not been enough to lead the team to victory in recent games.

Recent Matchup: Westwood Dominates

In their most recent contest, held on December 6th, 2024, Westwood demolished Richland Northeast with a 75-31 victory. This lopsided win highlighted the stark contrast between the two teams’ current form. Westwood’s high-scoring offense and stifling defense overwhelmed Richland Northeast from start to finish. With another meeting scheduled today, December 13th, 2024, the expectations for Richland Northeast are high, but the team will need a significant improvement in both offense and defense to compete with the talented Westwood squad.

Key Players to Watch

• Westwood: D’Marcus Thomas (16.3 PPG, 4.7 APG), Sean Goddard (6.5 RPG, 4.5 BPG), and Derrick Brown (3.3 SPG) are all key contributors to the team’s success.
• Richland Northeast: Emmanuel Ard (14.4 PPG) and Joshua Nunn (9.5 RPG) are the standout players for Richland Northeast, but they will need more support from the rest of the team to challenge Westwood.

Common Opponents

Both teams share several upcoming common opponents, which will help shape their respective seasons. For instance, Westwood and Richland Northeast will both face J.L. Mann and South Aiken in the coming weeks. These games will serve as crucial tests for Richland Northeast, who will need to step up against quality teams to improve their overall record.

Conclusion

Westwood has firmly established itself as one of the top teams in the state, with a dominant 8-0 record and a scoring offense that’s difficult to stop. Richland Northeast, on the other hand, is looking to build consistency and improve upon a 2-4 start. While the outcome of today’s game is uncertain, Westwood’s current form suggests they will be the favorites going into the matchup. Richland Northeast will need a strong performance, particularly on defense and in limiting turnovers, to keep the game competitive.