The Royal Valley (Hoyt, KS) varsity basketball team will host St. Marys (KS) for a home conference game on Friday, January 17, at 7 p.m.

Royal Valley vs St. Marys Game Info:

What: Kansas High School Basketball
Who: Royal Valley (KS) vs St. Marys (KS)
When: Friday, January 17, 2025
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here

Game preview: Royal Valley vs St. Marys

As we progress into the 2024-2025 sports season, two teams from Kansas have been showcasing remarkable differences in performance, with St. Marys dominating in their league and Royal Valley struggling to find consistency. Here’s an in-depth look at both teams’ standings, scoring averages, and head-to-head results.

Team Records and Rankings

St. Marys has had an outstanding start to their season, boasting a perfect 6-0 record. In addition to their flawless overall record, they have also gone undefeated in their district play, standing at 2-0. Their impressive 3-0 record at home, away, and in non-league games demonstrates their versatility and strong performance across all settings. The team’s scoring average stands at an impressive 61.7 points per game (PPG), indicating their offensive power. In terms of scoring, St. Marys has posted a total of 370 points while allowing just 258, making them a force to be reckoned with on both ends of the floor.

On the other hand, Royal Valley has faced a tough road this season. Their overall record is 2-3-2, and they have yet to secure a victory in district play, sitting at 0-2-1. Their performance at home (2-0-1) has been the bright spot in an otherwise challenging campaign, while away games (0-2-1) have proved difficult. Their scoring average is significantly lower than St. Marys, at just 31.9 points per game, with 223 points scored and 270 allowed. With a district record of 0-2-1 and a limited win percentage (.429), Royal Valley has yet to find their rhythm, facing uphill battles in the upcoming games.

Head-to-Head and Common Opponents

Both teams have had encounters with common opponents, with St. Marys emerging victorious in all their games against these teams. St. Marys boasts a perfect 3-0 record against common opponents, while Royal Valley has posted a 1-2-1 record.

Key matchups include:

• St. Marys vs. Jackson Heights (12/13/24): St. Marys triumphed 55-21 in their away game.
• St. Marys vs. Riley County (12/17/24): A 68-56 win at home for St. Marys.
• St. Marys vs. Sabetha (1/10/25): Another win for St. Marys, 65-58.

For Royal Valley, their performance has been less consistent against common opponents:

• Royal Valley vs. Jackson Heights (12/6/24): Royal Valley managed to secure a win, 51-26, at home.
• Royal Valley vs. Sabetha (12/20/24): A tough 53-34 loss at home for Royal Valley.
• Royal Valley vs. Nemaha Central (1/14/25): A 65-35 defeat at home.

These matchups further highlight the contrast between the two teams, with St. Marys enjoying success across the board, while Royal Valley has struggled to secure victories against teams of similar caliber.

Outlook for the Rest of the Season

As both teams continue to navigate the rest of their schedules, St. Marys looks to maintain their undefeated record, with several key games remaining against teams like Riley County, Jefferson West, and Holton. With their current form, they are well-positioned to challenge for top honors in their district and beyond.

Royal Valley, meanwhile, faces a difficult challenge to turn their season around. Their performances against common opponents and district rivals have shown areas where improvement is needed, particularly in defense and consistency in scoring. Games against teams like Perry-Lecompton, Holton, and Silver Lake will be crucial in determining whether they can finish the season with more victories and improve their district standing.

Conclusion

St. Marys’ dominance in the 2024-2025 season has been unquestionable so far, with the team putting up strong performances on both sides of the ball. Meanwhile, Royal Valley is still searching for answers to elevate their game, particularly in district play. Both teams will need to bring their best as they head into the final stretch of the season, with St. Marys aiming for continued success and Royal Valley hoping to turn things around.