The Riverside varsity basketball team from Taylor, PA, will host a non-conference game against Notre Dame from East Stroudsburg, PA, today at 2:15 PM.

Game Details:

• Matchup: Notre Dame vs. Riverside
• Date: Saturday, January 18, 2025
• Time: 2:15 PM
• Location: Riverside Jr/Sr High School
• Live stream: Watch Here

A Tale of Two Teams: Comparing Notre Dame and Riverside in the 2024-25 Season

The 2024-25 season has showcased two vastly different narratives for the Notre Dame and Riverside teams. While both squads have demonstrated their unique strengths, their records, conference performances, and scoring trends highlight contrasting journeys.

Overall Performance

Notre Dame has experienced a challenging season with a 5-6 record and a .455 winning percentage. Meanwhile, Riverside has dominated with an impressive 10-1 record and a .909 winning percentage. This stark contrast becomes even more pronounced when examining their conference success—Notre Dame has yet to secure a conference victory (0-1), whereas Riverside boasts a strong 4-1 conference record (.800).

Offensive and Defensive Metrics

When comparing points scored (PF) and points allowed (PA), Riverside once again emerges as the stronger team. They have outscored opponents by a significant margin, with 720 points for and 488 points against. Notre Dame, on the other hand, has struggled to keep the balance, scoring 569 points but allowing 644.

Scoring Averages by Quarter

The scoring dynamics of each team paint a fascinating picture:

• Notre Dame:
  Notre Dame’s strongest quarters are the second half, particularly the third quarter, where they average 22 points. This late-game surge helps them achieve a respectable average of 51.7 points per game.
• Riverside:
  Riverside demonstrates consistency across all quarters, finishing strong with an average of 65.5 points per game. Notably, their defensive strength is evident, as they allow significantly fewer points compared to their opponents.

Record Breakdown

The breakdown of records highlights the divergence in performance:

• Home and Away:
  Notre Dame has been more successful at home, with a 4-3 record, but struggles away (1-1) and in neutral settings (0-2).
  Riverside, conversely, remains undefeated at home (5-0) and displays strong road resilience with a 5-1 record.
• League and Non-League Games:
  Riverside thrives in both league (4-1) and non-league (5-0) matchups, showing their adaptability across competitive settings. Notre Dame, while solid in non-league play (4-5), has yet to find their footing in league games.

Conclusion

The 2024-25 season illustrates two distinct trajectories. Riverside stands out as a powerhouse with a near-perfect record, balanced scoring, and defensive dominance. Notre Dame, while showing flashes of brilliance, particularly in the second half of games, has faced challenges in maintaining consistency and securing victories.

As the season progresses, both teams have opportunities to build on their strengths and address their weaknesses. For Notre Dame, the focus will be on tightening defense and capitalizing on their late-game momentum. Riverside, on the other hand, will aim to sustain their winning ways and refine their strategies for postseason success.