The Milford (UT) varsity basketball team will play a home tournament game against Rockwell (Eagle Mountain, UT) on Friday, December 27, at 7 p.m.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Utah High School Basketball
Who: Rockwell vs Milford
When: Friday, December 27, 2024
Time: 7:00. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here

Game Preview: Rockwell vs Milford

The 2024-2025 Utah high school basketball season has seen its fair share of exciting matchups, but one pair of teams that stands out is Rockwell and Milford. While both teams have experienced different levels of success, the contrast in their records and statistical performance makes for a fascinating comparison.

Team Overview

Rockwell (Record: 2-8, Win %: .200)

• Rockwell’s season has been a challenging one, with a 2-8 overall record. The team has struggled both at home (1-3) and away (0-4), though they did manage to secure a win in neutral games, standing at 1-1.
• The team has averaged 60.3 points per game, with their scoring distributed across quarters: 13.5 in the first, 14.5 in the second, 12.2 in the third, and 15.3 in the fourth, and 9.0 in overtime.

Milford (Record: 8-1, Win %: .889)

• Milford, on the other hand, has had a much more successful season. With an 8-1 record, they are dominating both in-region (2-0) and overall play. Their only loss came outside the region. They are undefeated at home (3-0), away (4-1), and in neutral settings (1-0).
• Milford’s offense has been potent, averaging 62.3 points per game. Their breakdown per quarter is 16.9 in the first, 14.9 in the second, 14.6 in the third, and 16.1 in the fourth.

Statistical Comparison

Milford boasts a more balanced and consistent performance across the board compared to Rockwell. Here’s a closer look at the stats:

• Points Per Game: Milford averages 62.3 points per game, slightly higher than Rockwell’s 60.3.
• Rebounds: Milford excels with 31.9 rebounds per game compared to Rockwell’s 25.3.
• Assists: Both teams are fairly close in assists, with Milford averaging 13.6 and Rockwell 13.3.
• Steals: Rockwell leads in steals with 11.3 per game, while Milford averages 9.7.
• Blocks: Rockwell also has the edge in blocks, averaging 3.2 per game compared to Milford’s 1.2.

Team Leaders

• Rockwell:
  • Isaac Christiansen: Leads the team with 12.0 points per game.
  • Devon Jessop: Has 8.2 rebounds per game and also contributes with 1.2 blocks per game.
  • Elias Sekona: A versatile player with 4.5 assists per game and 3.4 steals per game.
• Milford:
  • Sadler Barnes: The standout player for Milford, leading the team with 17.8 points per game, 7.4 assists per game, and 4.0 steals per game.
  • Carson Cheney: A strong force under the boards with 8.9 rebounds per game.
  • Kielen Tsosie: Contributes with 0.4 blocks per game, rounding out Milford’s defensive effort.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced some common opponents, which offers a glimpse into their relative strengths. Rockwell and Milford both face Wayne later in the season, though the two teams have yet to play head-to-head. Milford also secured a notable victory over Merit Preparatory Academy earlier in the season with a 68-53 win.

Record Breakdown

• Rockwell:
  • Overall: 2-8
  • Home: 1-3
  • Away: 0-4
  • Neutral: 1-1
  • In-State: 2-5
  • Out-of-State: 0-3
• Milford:
  • Overall: 8-1
  • Home: 3-0
  • Away: 4-1
  • Neutral: 1-0
  • In-State: 8-1

Milford has clearly dominated in-state play, with a perfect 8-1 record, while Rockwell has faced a tough season, particularly in their away games.

Head-to-Head

The two teams have not yet met this season, but their upcoming matchups will surely be anticipated. Milford’s strong start to the season makes them the clear favorite going into any potential head-to-head clash, but Rockwell’s resilience and ability to step up in late-game situations (as reflected in their fourth-quarter scoring) means they could still pose a serious challenge.

Conclusion

The 2024-2025 basketball season for Rockwell and Milford showcases two teams with very different trajectories. While Rockwell has struggled overall, their potential for growth remains evident. Milford, on the other hand, is firing on all cylinders and remains a dominant force in Utah high school basketball. As the season progresses, it will be exciting to see how these teams continue to evolve, especially when they meet their common opponents and, potentially, each other.