The Saint Thomas Aquinas varsity basketball team (Overland Park, KS) will play a home non-conference game against Rockhurst (Kansas City, MO) on Friday, January 17, at 7 p.m.

Saint Thomas Aquinas vs Rockhurst Game Info:

What: Kansas High School Basketball
Who: Saint Thomas Aquinas (KS) vs Rockhurst (KS)
When: Friday, January 17, 2025
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Saint Thomas Aquinas High School
Live stream: Watch here

Game preview: Gunter vs Rockhurst

As we approach the midpoint of the 2024-2025 high school basketball season, Rockhurst (MO) and Saint Thomas Aquinas (KS) are shaping up to be two of the most formidable teams in their respective regions. Both teams have posted strong records and have the potential to make a deep run into the postseason. In this article, we’ll compare key statistics, scoring averages, and team leaders to provide an in-depth look at how these two schools are performing and what we can expect from them in the remainder of the season.

Rockhurst Overview

Rockhurst, currently boasting a remarkable 10-1 overall record, has shown its strength on both sides of the court. With a district record of 3-1, the team has established itself as a contender in Missouri. Rockhurst has been particularly dominant in its home games, where it remains undefeated at 5-0. The team’s offensive strategy has been effective, averaging 64.9 points per game, largely driven by a balanced scoring attack.

Team Statistics:

• Points Per Game (PPG): 64.9
• Rebounds Per Game (RPG): 17.3
• Assists Per Game (APG): 0.0 (notable for Rockhurst’s lack of recorded assists per game)
• Steals Per Game (SPG): 6.5
• Blocks Per Game (BPG): 1.5

The team is led by Callen Eskew, who leads in both scoring (16.2 PPG) and rebounding (5.0 RPG). Eskew’s performance in the frontcourt has been pivotal in Rockhurst’s success this season. The team has also been strong defensively, with Cohen Robinson contributing 2.1 steals per game.

Saint Thomas Aquinas Overview

On the other hand, Saint Thomas Aquinas has posted a solid 5-2 overall record, with a 2-0 mark in district play. Their 4-0 home record further highlights their strong presence in familiar surroundings. While Saint Thomas Aquinas scores slightly fewer points than Rockhurst, averaging 63.1 PPG, they have been dominant in other areas of the game. Their defense and team play have been the cornerstones of their early success.

Team Statistics:

• Points Per Game (PPG): 63.1
• Rebounds Per Game (RPG): 30.2
• Assists Per Game (APG): 13.2
• Steals Per Game (SPG): 7.0
• Blocks Per Game (BPG): 2.2

Key players for Saint Thomas Aquinas include Brett Yankovich, who leads the team with 17.0 PPG, and Nic Sabers, who averages 6.0 RPG and 4.8 APG. Defensively, Isaiah Freeman stands out with 2.2 steals per game, making him a major disruptor on the court.

Scoring Averages Comparison

In terms of scoring, both teams have proven to be high-scoring units, though Rockhurst tends to dominate in the later stages of the game. Here is a look at how each team scores throughout the game:

• Rockhurst Scoring by Quarter:
  • Q1: 15.3
  • Q2: 15.5
  • Q3: 15.4
  • Q4: 16.7
  • Total: 64.9 PPG
• Saint Thomas Aquinas Scoring by Quarter:
  • Q1: 22.5
  • Q2: 20.5
  • Q3: 19.0
  • Q4: 18.5
  • Total: 63.1 PPG

Rockhurst is more consistent with its scoring, improving slightly in the fourth quarter, whereas Saint Thomas Aquinas comes out strong in the first half but sees a slight dip in scoring after the break.

Team Leaders Comparison

While both teams feature standout players, each team’s leader has played a major role in its success:

• Rockhurst:
  • Callen Eskew: 16.2 PPG, 5.0 RPG
  • Cohen Robinson: 2.1 SPG
• Saint Thomas Aquinas:
  • Brett Yankovich: 17.0 PPG
  • Nic Sabers: 6.0 RPG, 4.8 APG
  • Isaiah Freeman: 2.2 SPG

Both teams have impressive individual performances, with Saint Thomas Aquinas perhaps edging out Rockhurst in terms of overall team depth, thanks to strong contributions across the board.

Common Opponents

When examining their matchups against common opponents, Saint Thomas Aquinas holds an edge with a 2-1 record, compared to Rockhurst’s 0-0 record against these teams.

Some notable results include:

• Saint Thomas Aquinas vs. St. Pius X: Loss (53-50)
• Saint Thomas Aquinas vs. Bishop Miege: Win (83-51)
• Saint Thomas Aquinas vs. Pembroke Hill: Win (51-49)

Rockhurst, however, has upcoming games against St. Pius X and Bishop Miege that could shape their season further.

Record Breakdown:

• Rockhurst:
  • 10-1 overall, 3-1 district
  • Undefeated at home (5-0)
• Saint Thomas Aquinas:
  • 5-2 overall, 2-0 district
  • Strong at home (4-0), but struggles on the road (1-2)

Conclusion

The matchup between Rockhurst and Saint Thomas Aquinas promises to be one of the most exciting in the season, as both teams continue to build on their impressive early-season performances. Rockhurst excels in consistency, especially in its home games, while Saint Thomas Aquinas has shown depth, particularly in defense and team play. Both teams have proven they can go toe-to-toe with top competition and will surely be teams to watch as the season progresses.

As their seasons continue to unfold, it will be interesting to see if Rockhurst can maintain its perfect record at home and how Saint Thomas Aquinas will fare in its upcoming tough road games. Regardless, both teams are poised to make significant noise in their respective districts and beyond.