As the 2024-2025 Virginia high school basketball season heats up, two teams are making waves with their impressive records and standout players. Shining Star Sports Academy and New Hope Academy National have both displayed resilience and skill, each fighting for dominance on the court. Here’s a breakdown of their performance, stats, and upcoming challenges as they head into their next matchups.

Team Overview

Shining Star Sports Academy (VA) enters the season with a solid 7-3 record, leading their region with an undefeated 3-0 region record. This success has been backed by their offensive prowess, averaging a high 73.7 points per game. They are particularly strong in the first and fourth quarters, scoring an average of 20.3 and 21.3 points, respectively. The team boasts a potent combination of scoring, defense, and team chemistry, with Babacar Ly leading the charge. Ly is not only the team’s top scorer with 16.1 points per game but also contributes significantly in assists and steals. Shining Star’s well-rounded approach, coupled with their 36.3 rebounds per game, gives them an edge in most matchups.

On the other hand, New Hope Academy National (MD) has had a more mixed start to the season with a 5-5 overall record and a 1-2 region performance. Their offense is led by Haki Muhammed II, who averages a remarkable 23.7 points per game. However, the team struggles with consistency, particularly in the first and fourth quarters, where they average just 14.0 and 15.0 points. Despite their scoring challenges, they manage to keep games competitive, with a steady 21.6 rebounds per game.

Key Players to Watch

For Shining Star Sports Academy, Babacar Ly stands out not only for his scoring but also his versatility. Along with 16.1 points per game, he also contributes 5.2 assists and 2.6 steals per game, making him a dual threat on both ends of the floor. Cheikh Thiam supports the team’s rebounding efforts with an average of 9.5 boards per game, while Shamar Curley offers defensive presence with 0.6 blocks per game.

New Hope Academy National relies heavily on Muhammed’s scoring ability, but they also have key players in Uriah Augare-Deal and Gianni Giles. Augare-Deal is a strong presence under the basket, averaging 7.1 rebounds per game, while Giles offers support with 3.0 assists per game. Though the team’s offense struggles at times, the combination of Muhammed’s scoring and Augare-Deal’s rebounding can be a potent threat when they click.

Statistical Comparison

A look at the team stats reveals that Shining Star Sports Academy dominates in nearly every category, from points per game (73.7 vs. 59.3) to rebounds (36.3 vs. 21.6). This difference in rebounding is especially important, as it allows Shining Star to control the pace of the game and limit second-chance opportunities for opponents. New Hope Academy National, however, has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly in the second and third quarters, where they average 29.0 and 26.0 points respectively.

Head-to-Head Record

In their previous encounters with common opponents, Shining Star Sports Academy has been dominant, with a 2-0 record against Bethel Academy, including a 62-45 win on November 9th and a 90-74 victory on December 6th. New Hope Academy National has yet to face Bethel Academy this season but will square off with them on December 14th.

Both teams are set to face off against Evergreen Christian and Riverdale Baptist in the coming weeks, with Shining Star already having faced Evergreen Christian and secured a solid win. New Hope will look to improve its 1-2 away record as they face Evergreen Christian and Riverdale Baptist in upcoming matchups.

Final Thoughts

The 2024-2025 basketball season has been full of exciting moments for both Shining Star Sports Academy and New Hope Academy National. Shining Star’s high-scoring offense and well-balanced play make them a strong contender, while New Hope’s ability to compete in tough games, led by the high-scoring Haki Muhammed, ensures they’re never counted out. As these two teams continue their seasons, the battles ahead promise to be intense, with plenty of drama unfolding in the coming months.

Fans should keep an eye on upcoming games, particularly Shining Star’s matchups against strong non-league opponents, and New Hope’s quest to get their region performance back on track. With both teams showing resilience, the rivalry between these two schools is bound to produce some memorable moments.