The River Ridge varsity basketball team (New Port Richey, FL) will play a home non-conference game against Balboa (Clearwater, FL) today at 7:30 PM.

Game Details:

• Teams: Balboa vs. River Ridge
• Date: Friday, January 24, 2025
• Time: 7:30 PM
• Live stream: Watch Here
• Live stream: Watch Here

Comparing Balboa and River Ridge: A Statistical Breakdown of Their 2024-2025 Season

As the 2024-2025 high school basketball season progresses, two teams from Florida have caught attention with their performances: Balboa and River Ridge. Both schools are showing mixed results on the court, with Balboa registering a 9-20 record and River Ridge posting a slightly better 9-12 mark. While the two teams have similar win-loss ratios, their individual statistics and play styles provide an interesting comparison. Let’s break down the data to highlight how each team is performing across various metrics.

Overall Performance

Balboa enters the season with a 9-20 overall record. The team has a balanced district performance with a 5-5 district record, suggesting a solid level of competitiveness within their region. In terms of win percentage, Balboa sits at .310 overall, with a .500 district win rate, which shows that they have been stronger within their own conference but have struggled in non-district games.

In comparison, River Ridge has a 9-12 overall record, slightly improving on Balboa’s win-loss ratio. Their district performance is weaker, however, with a 2-3 district record and a .400 district win percentage. River Ridge also struggles in non-district games, sporting a 4-7 away record, while their neutral-site performances are stronger, boasting a perfect 1-0 neutral record.

Scoring and Game Dynamics

One of the most significant differences between Balboa and River Ridge lies in their scoring dynamics. Balboa’s average scoring per game is significantly lower, with the team averaging just 65.4 points per game. Their offensive struggles are evident in their quarter-by-quarter averages, with Balboa scoring 75 points in the first quarter but then fading significantly in the subsequent periods, which leads to a lower overall total.

River Ridge, on the other hand, puts up a higher 70.3 points per game. They have a more consistent offensive rhythm throughout the game, averaging 17.5 points in the first quarter and consistently increasing their output through the third and fourth quarters. River Ridge’s offensive numbers are also bolstered by their success in overtime, where they average 13.5 points, keeping them competitive when games extend past regulation.

Key Player Performances

When it comes to individual performances, both teams rely on their star players to lead the charge. For Balboa, the standout player is Travis Musonda, averaging 12.8 points per game. He is a key contributor on offense, but Balboa also counts on players like BwaBwa Josue, who leads the team in rebounds with an average of 7.8 per game.

For River Ridge, Jacob Yeager shines as their top scorer, averaging an impressive 21.5 points per game. Yeager is not only a scorer but also contributes in other areas, with a respectable 2.4 steals per game. The River Ridge team also benefits from players like Tommy DeLoreto, who leads in rebounds with 7.0 per game, and TJ Beal, who is their assist leader with 3.6 assists per game.

Defensive Play

Both teams have shown relative weaknesses in their defensive play this season. Balboa’s defense has been lacking in terms of steals and blocks, averaging just 7.3 steals and 1.1 blocks per game. River Ridge has been more effective defensively, with 12 steals per game and a higher block average of 3.6 per game. This greater defensive activity has likely contributed to River Ridge’s higher number of victories.

Head-to-Head and Common Opponents

Looking at their matchups against common opponents, Balboa holds an advantage. When the two teams faced Sunlake, Balboa secured a dominant 82-42 victory on November 29, 2024. River Ridge, on the other hand, fell to Sunlake 75-65 on December 13, 2024. This win by Balboa against a common opponent adds an interesting twist to the comparison.

Both teams also have had varying success when facing out-of-state and in-state competition. River Ridge has performed better against out-of-state opponents with a 3-8 record, while Balboa has managed a 6-9 mark within Florida.

Conclusion

The 2024-2025 season has been a tale of contrasts for Balboa and River Ridge. Balboa has shown resilience within their district, but their inability to maintain offensive pressure through the full game and their relatively weak defensive stats have held them back. River Ridge, while scoring more consistently and showing greater defensive prowess, has struggled against tougher opponents and in district play.

For both teams, finding consistency will be key as they look to improve their records in the coming weeks. With standout players on both sides and unique strengths and weaknesses, their paths will continue to diverge, making for an intriguing end to the season.