The Shawnee varsity basketball team (Lima, OH) will play a home conference game against Celina (OH) today at 6:30 p.m.

Game Information:

• Matchup: Celina vs Shawnee
• Date: Friday, January 10, 2025
• Time: 6:30 p.m.
• Live stream: Watch Here

Basketball Team Comparison: Celina vs. Shawnee (2024-2025 Season)

As the 2024-2025 basketball season continues, fans and analysts alike are closely watching the performance of two competitive teams: Celina and Shawnee. Both squads are looking to make their mark in the Ohio basketball scene, with contrasting records and styles of play. Here’s a detailed comparison of these two teams, covering their season rankings, team stats, key players, and performance against common opponents.

Team Overview: Record Breakdown

Celina (3-7 Overall, 2-1 Conference):

• Conference: Celina has shown some promise in league play with a solid 2-1 record. However, they’ve faced challenges in non-conference matchups, posting a 1-6 record.
• Home & Away: Their home games have been slightly more favorable, as they’ve posted a 2-4 home record. Away games, however, have proven more difficult with only 1-3.
• Scoring: Celina has averaged 45.7 points per game, indicating that their offense has struggled at times to keep up with stronger teams.

Shawnee (9-2 Overall, 2-0 Conference):

• Conference: Shawnee is dominating their conference with an undefeated 2-0 record.
• Home & Away: Shawnee has excelled both at home and on the road, with an impressive 4-0 home record and 4-1 away performance.
• Scoring: Averaging 63.5 points per game, Shawnee’s offense is significantly more potent compared to Celina’s, reflecting their offensive depth and efficiency.

Team Stat Comparison

Both teams have distinct styles, with Shawnee demonstrating strong offensive and defensive metrics, while Celina’s performance has been more inconsistent.

• Points Per Game: Shawnee leads by a significant margin, averaging 63.5 points per game compared to Celina’s 45.7.
• Rebounds Per Game: Celina and Shawnee are somewhat close here, with Shawnee pulling in 27.6 rebounds per game, just ahead of Celina’s 27.0.
• Assists: Shawnee’s team play is evident as they average 15.2 assists per game, more than doubling Celina’s 6.5.
• Steals and Blocks: Shawnee leads in both steals (9.7 per game) and blocks (3.8 per game), showing their aggressive defense, while Celina has 7.4 steals and 2.3 blocks per game.

Key Players to Watch

Celina:

• Beckett Bertke: Leading Celina in scoring with 21.6 points per game, Bertke is also their top rebounder, averaging 8.5 per game.
• Trevick Bertke: The team’s playmaker with 3.9 assists per game, Bertke will be crucial in facilitating Celina’s offense.
• Tate Bender: A defensive standout, averaging 3.5 steals per game, Bender will be key in trying to slow down Shawnee’s offensive juggernaut.
• Jagger Hutchins: Contributing defensively, Hutchins leads Celina with 1.4 blocks per game.

Shawnee:

• Beckett Bertke: Similar to Celina’s Bertke, Shawnee’s Bertke is a significant force for his team, with 21.6 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.
• Trevick Bertke: Another Bertke, Trevick provides essential playmaking with 3.9 assists per game, pushing Shawnee’s offense forward.
• Tate Bender: The team’s leader in steals, Bender is a key defensive asset, keeping pressure on the opposition.
• Jagger Hutchins: With 1.4 blocks per game, Hutchins is a crucial presence on the defensive side of the ball.

Performance Against Common Opponents

Both Celina and Shawnee have faced several common opponents, but Shawnee has been far more successful in these matchups. Shawnee holds a 7-1 record against their shared opponents, with notable wins over teams like Lima Central Catholic and Bath. In contrast, Celina is 2-1 against the same teams, having secured victories over Memorial and Wapakoneta, while falling short against Van Wert.

Some notable matchups in the upcoming weeks for both teams include:

• Celina: They will face teams like Kenton and Elida, hoping to build momentum from recent wins.
• Shawnee: Shawnee will look to maintain their strong form against the likes of Ottawa-Glandorf and Defiance.

Looking Ahead

As both teams continue through the 2024-2025 season, Shawnee’s strong start, with an 9-2 overall record and 2-0 conference record, positions them as a formidable force. On the other hand, Celina will look to regroup and improve its consistency, particularly on the offensive end, as they aim to build a stronger conference performance. Shawnee’s dominant offensive and defensive balance will make them tough competition for any team, but Celina’s resilience could lead to future surprises.

Basketball enthusiasts will want to keep an eye on these two teams as the season unfolds, especially with their upcoming matchups against common opponents and each other. With Shawnee’s strong roster and Celina’s potential to surprise, this rivalry promises exciting games ahead.