The Puyallup High School varsity basketball team will be playing a home non-conference game against Spanaway Lake (Spanaway, WA) today at 7 PM.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Washington High School Basketball
Who: Spanaway Lake vs Puyallup
When: Saturday, January 11, 2025
Time: 7:00. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here

Game Preview: Spanaway Lake vs Puyallup

As the 2024-2025 high school basketball season progresses, two teams in the South Puget Sound area have demonstrated notable differences in performance. Spanaway Lake and Puyallup High School both compete in the same district, but their records and statistics reveal divergent paths. Let’s dive into a comparison of both teams’ performances, their key players, and how they stack up against common opponents.

Record Overview:

Spanaway Lake: With an overall record of 4-7, Spanaway Lake has faced a mixed bag of results so far this season. They are 3-4 in district play, which is a solid mark but not enough to make them a contender at the top of the standings. Spanaway Lake has struggled on the road, holding a 1-3 record when playing away from home. Despite the challenges, they have shown resilience, particularly with close victories, like their 77-72 win over Graham-Kapowsin.

Puyallup: In stark contrast, Puyallup High School boasts an impressive 11-2 record overall, undefeated in district play with a perfect 5-0 record. Their success is highlighted by dominant performances, especially at home, where they are undefeated. Their win percentage of .846 far surpasses Spanaway Lake’s .364, and their district win rate is a flawless 1.000. Puyallup has been particularly dominant, handling teams like Graham-Kapowsin and Yelm with ease.

Team Scoring and Stat Comparison:

Spanaway Lake:

• Points Per Game: 58.8
• Team Leaders: Darius Alexander stands out with 21.9 points per game, showcasing his role as the team’s offensive engine. He is also the team leader in assists (5.8) and steals (3.0), emphasizing his all-around contribution.
• Other Key Players: Key’Andre White contributes 3.8 rebounds per game, rounding out the team’s core. However, Spanaway Lake will need to increase its scoring and defensive consistency to remain competitive.

Puyallup:

• Points Per Game: 65.3
• Team Strengths: Puyallup averages over six more points per game than Spanaway Lake, thanks to a balanced scoring attack and a strong defensive presence.
• Key Players: Puyallup has several players contributing significantly across different statistical categories, helping them dominate games. They average 20.3 rebounds per game and 9.4 assists per game, indicating both their physicality and ball movement on offense.

Performance in Close Games:

Both teams have played against similar opponents, and the results reveal key differences in their ability to perform in high-pressure situations. Spanaway Lake has had several close losses, including a narrow 60-59 defeat to Bonney Lake and a tough 64-59 loss to Rogers. Puyallup, however, has been dominant in similar matchups, consistently winning by wide margins, such as their 74-59 victory over Rogers and a commanding 62-43 win against Bonney Lake.

Common Opponents:

Both teams have faced several of the same opponents this season, and Puyallup has emerged victorious in all of those matchups. In fact, Puyallup holds a 9-0 record against common opponents, while Spanaway Lake is 3-6. These results further highlight the disparity in performance between the two teams.

For example, Spanaway Lake lost 64-49 to Olympia, while Puyallup defeated the same team 67-36. Similarly, Spanaway Lake struggled against South Kitsap (losing 65-49), while Puyallup comfortably won their matchup against South Kitsap, 65-38.

Looking Ahead:

With the season half over, Spanaway Lake will need to focus on improving its away record and maintaining consistency to climb the district rankings. The team will also need to rely more on their key players, particularly Darius Alexander, to deliver when it matters most.

On the other hand, Puyallup seems poised to continue its dominance with a perfect district record and significant contributions from their well-rounded roster. The team’s balanced attack and solid defense will be tough for opponents to overcome as they head into the second half of the season.

Conclusion: In conclusion, while Spanaway Lake has the potential to improve, their inconsistent performances and struggles against common opponents indicate they may need to regroup. Puyallup, however, looks like one of the top teams in the district and is likely to remain a powerhouse as the season progresses. As the competition heats up, both teams will need to adjust and refine their strategies to close out the season strong and prepare for the playoffs.