The St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes varsity basketball team in Alexandria, VA will play a home conference game against St. Albans from Washington, DC on Friday, January 17 at 7:30 p.m.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: Virginia High School Basketball
Who: St. Albans vs St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes
When: Friday, January 17, 2025
Time: 7:30. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here
Game Preview: St. Albans vs St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes
As the 2024-2025 high school basketball season progresses, two powerhouse teams are making waves in the Washington, DC and Virginia area: St. Albans from Washington, DC, and St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes from Alexandria, VA. With both teams boasting impressive records and standout players, their upcoming matchups are set to be a thrilling chapter in this fierce rivalry.
Team Performance and Standings
St. Albans (7-5 overall, 1-1 league) is having a solid season, although they’ve faced a few hurdles along the way. Their performance in league play has been average, holding a .500 record. The team has scored an average of 70.1 points per game, slightly lower than their rivals, St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes. St. Albans has been led by Jaylen Wills, who contributes 24.8 points per game, and Grant Polk, who averages 7.3 rebounds per game. The team also excels at ball movement, with Wills averaging 4.0 assists per game.
Meanwhile, St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes (13-2 overall, 4-1 region) has been on a roll. With a .867 win percentage, their overall performance this season is impressive. They’ve averaged 71.0 points per game, slightly edging out St. Albans in scoring. Leading the charge for the Saints are Riley Jacobs, who scores 19.9 points per game, and Julian Burgdolf, who dishes out 3.0 assists per game. The Saints’ defense also shines with Jacobs contributing 10.7 rebounds per game and Devin Ainsworth adding 2.2 steals per game.
Key Stats and Head-to-Head Matchups
The two teams will meet head-to-head for the first time this season on January 17, 2025, at St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes for a league game at 7:30 PM. Their previous encounters have been competitive, with St. Albans holding a 1-1 record against common opponents such as Flint Hill and Georgetown Prep. On the other hand, St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes has a strong 2-0 record against the same teams, including a recent victory over Landon (59-53).
Looking at the overall numbers, St. Albans has scored a total of 841 points while allowing 783 points, indicating their offensive strength, but also some vulnerabilities defensively. St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes, with 1,065 points scored and 830 points allowed, has been more consistent on both ends of the court.
The Players to Watch
For St. Albans, all eyes will be on Jaylen Wills. The senior guard has been sensational this season, and his ability to score in all areas of the court makes him a constant threat. Alongside him, Grant Polk provides both rebounding and defensive presence, while Ej Harrison adds an additional layer of shot-blocking capability.
For St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes, Riley Jacobs is the player to watch. A dominant force on both offense and defense, Jacobs has been racking up double-doubles all season. Julian Burgdolf has also been instrumental in running the offense, keeping the team flowing smoothly. Meanwhile, Devin Ainsworth’s defensive abilities make him an X-factor.
What’s Next?
The rivalry intensifies as the two teams gear up for their next meeting. Following their January 17 matchup, the teams will face off again on February 4, 2025, at St. Albans in a non-conference game at 6:00 PM. These games will be crucial for both teams as they prepare for playoff contention in their respective divisions.
Conclusion
As the season progresses, both St. Albans and St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes remain among the top contenders in the region. With both teams bringing dynamic scoring, defensive prowess, and standout individual performances, basketball fans can expect nothing less than an exciting battle when these two teams clash. The upcoming games between them are poised to be some of the most talked-about matchups of the season.