The South (Willoughby, OH) varsity basketball team will host a non-conference game against Strongsville (OH) today at 7:30 p.m.
Here’s what you need to Basketball know:
What: Ohio High School Basketball
Who: South vs Strongsville
When: Friday, December 20, 2024
Time: 7:30. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch Here
A Look at Strongsville and South High School Basketball Teams: Early Season Performance
As we near the midpoint of the 2024-2025 high school basketball season, a closer look at the Strongsville and South teams reveals stark differences in their performances. These teams, based in Ohio, are off to very different starts, with one boasting a perfect record and the other struggling to find its rhythm. Let’s break down their current records, scoring averages, and head-to-head matchups to understand where each team stands.
Strongsville Basketball: A Perfect Start
Strongsville High School’s basketball team has started the 2024-2025 season in impressive fashion, boasting a flawless record of 5-0. This includes an undefeated mark in both their overall play and conference games, where they’ve dominated with a 2-0 record in league action.
Scoring: The team has averaged 76.0 points per game, and their offensive efficiency is evident in their scoring distribution across quarters. In the first quarter, they average 17.5 points, ramping up to 20.0 in the second quarter and finishing strong with 24.5 points in the third. Their balance between defense and offense allows them to maintain a consistent lead throughout the game, contributing to their undefeated record.
The team’s offensive power is backed by a solid defense, as they have allowed 302 points across their five games, averaging 60.4 points per game by their opponents. This gives them a healthy point differential of +78, reflecting their strong all-around performance.
Record Breakdown:
- Home: 1-0
- Away: 4-0
- League: 2-0
- Non-League: 2-0
This balance of success both at home and on the road makes Strongsville a well-rounded team as they prepare for the rest of the season.
South Basketball: Struggling to Find Momentum
In contrast, South High School’s basketball team has faced significant challenges, recording just 1-4 in the early season. This includes a 1-2 record at home and a 0-2 record in away games. Despite their struggles, South has shown signs of improvement, with their average score of 56.4 points per game indicating the potential for growth, especially in their scoring average per quarter. They typically score 14.8 points in the first quarter, but their production drops slightly through the second (12.0) and third quarters (12.3), and they average 13.8 points in the final quarter.
However, South’s defense has been their weak point, as they have allowed an average of 327 points across their five games, giving up an average of 65.4 points per game. This has resulted in a negative point differential of -45, underscoring the team’s struggles to maintain defensive consistency.
Record Breakdown:
- Home: 0-2
- Away: 1-2
- League: 0-0
- Non-League: 1-4
Despite these challenges, South’s team has the opportunity to rebound as they continue to refine their play.
Comparing Team Performance
When comparing these two teams, the differences in performance are stark. Strongsville has been dominant both at home and on the road, with strong offensive and defensive showings that have led them to a perfect 5-0 start. In contrast, South is still working to find its footing, especially when playing away from home. Their 56.4 points per game is significantly lower than Strongsville’s, and their defense has been a major liability, allowing more points than they have scored.
Strongsville’s success can largely be attributed to their balance in scoring and defensive resilience, whereas South will need to address its defensive lapses and improve scoring consistency to compete in the coming weeks.
Looking Ahead
For Strongsville, the path forward looks promising as they aim to continue their undefeated streak, particularly in upcoming league matchups. The key for South will be to focus on tightening their defense and becoming more consistent on offense, especially in the second and third quarters.
As both teams progress through the season, it will be interesting to see how they evolve and whether South can turn their early-season struggles into a late-season surge, while Strongsville seeks to maintain its perfect record.
