The Smyrna (TN) varsity basketball team will host a non-conference game against Valor College Prep (Nashville, TN) today at 7:30 PM.

Here’s what you need to know Basketball:

What: Tennessee High School Basketball
Who: Smyrna vs Valor College Prep
When: Friday, December 13, 2024
Time: 7:30. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch Here

Comparing Valor College Prep and Smyrna Basketball: A Breakdown of Their 2024-25 Seasons

As the 2024-25 high school basketball season unfolds, Valor College Prep and Smyrna High School have both emerged as top contenders, boasting impressive records and dynamic players. Despite their similarities in win percentages, each team has its own strengths, playing styles, and standout athletes. In this article, we’ll compare their performances, individual statistics, and head-to-head results to understand what makes each team unique.

Overall Team Performance

Both Valor College Prep and Smyrna have identical records of 5-2, with a win percentage of .714. This solid performance shows that both teams are competing at a high level, making an impact both at home and away. Valor College Prep has managed to win all three of its home games but has had a more challenging time on the road, going 2-2 in away games. Smyrna, on the other hand, also has a strong home record (3-1), but their away performance has been a bit more consistent, with a perfect 1-0 neutral-site record.

• Valor College Prep: 5-2 overall, 3-0 at home, 2-2 away
• Smyrna: 5-2 overall, 3-1 at home, 1-0 away, 1-1 neutral

Scoring and Team Averages

When it comes to scoring, Smyrna has the upper hand, averaging 63.6 points per game compared to Valor College Prep’s 58.4. Smyrna’s strong offensive output is evident in their ability to score consistently across all four quarters, with an impressive 17.3 points per game in the fourth quarter alone. Valor College Prep, while slightly lower in scoring, maintains a well-balanced offense, with steady contributions from each quarter.

• Valor College Prep:
  • Q1: 10.0
  • Q2: 13.0
  • Q3: 15.5
  • Q4: 11.0
  • Average Final Score: 58.4
• Smyrna:
  • Q1: 17.0
  • Q2: 15.8
  • Q3: 16.7
  • Q4: 17.3
  • Average Final Score: 63.6

Despite Smyrna’s higher point average, Valor College Prep manages to maintain a competitive scoring efficiency.

Stat Comparison

Looking at other key statistics, both teams show strength in various areas:

• Rebounds: Smyrna edges out Valor College Prep with an average of 25.1 rebounds per game compared to Valor’s 23.4.
• Assists: The assist totals are relatively close, with Valor College Prep averaging 10.4 assists per game, just slightly behind Smyrna’s 10.6.
• Steals: Smyrna again leads with 11.1 steals per game, while Valor College Prep records 7.4 steals per game.
• Blocks: Valor College Prep has a slight advantage with 2.2 blocks per game compared to Smyrna’s 1.4.

Key Players

Valor College Prep is led by standout player Cooper Bussell, who averages 25.0 points per game, showing his ability to carry the team offensively. Ter Thach also contributes significantly in both rebounds (8.3) and blocks (2.0). Gage Renkens adds to the playmaking with 5.3 assists per game, and Avin Shaw leads in steals with 2.5.

Smyrna’s star player, Elliyon Kinzer, averages 13.4 points per game and also makes an impact with 2.0 steals. Kaden Matthews is crucial on the boards, averaging 5.7 rebounds, and Tyreque McCarver helps facilitate the offense with 3.9 assists per game. With solid contributions from Matthews and McCarver, Smyrna’s team play is well-rounded.

Head-to-Head Results

While both teams have faced off against common opponents, their head-to-head performance has varied slightly. Valor College Prep suffered a loss to Overton (60-47) while Smyrna defeated Overton in a closely contested match (65-60). However, both teams recorded victories against Knowledge Academies, with Valor College Prep winning 65-55 and Smyrna still scheduled to play Knowledge Academies later in the season.

• Common Opponents Results:
  • Overton: Valor College Prep lost 60-47 (11/21/24), Smyrna won 65-60 (12/6/24)
  • Knowledge Academies: Valor College Prep won 65-55 (12/10/24), Smyrna scheduled for 2/6/25

Conclusion

Both Valor College Prep and Smyrna have demonstrated solid performances in the 2024-25 season. With a tied record and high scoring averages, the teams are well-matched on paper. However, Smyrna’s higher offensive output and strong defensive numbers (especially steals) give them a slight edge in overall gameplay. Valor College Prep, on the other hand, relies on strong individual performances from key players like Cooper Bussell and Ter Thach to remain competitive.

As the season progresses, these teams will continue to build on their performances, and the upcoming matchups—especially their games against common opponents like Glencliff and LEAD Academy—will be crucial in determining their standing. Fans can expect exciting basketball from both squads as they vie for dominance in their respective divisions.