The St. Francis DeSales varsity basketball team (Columbus, OH) will host a non-conference game against Upper Arlington (Columbus, OH) today at 5 p.m.
Here’s what you need Basketball to know:
What: Ohio High School Basketball
Who: St. Francis DeSales vs Upper Arlington
When: Friday, December 27, 2024
Time: 5:00. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch Here
Upper Arlington vs. St. Francis DeSales: A Midseason Showdown of Ohio Basketball Powerhouses
As the 2024-2025 high school basketball season heats up, two standout teams in Ohio’s Division I landscape—Upper Arlington and St. Francis DeSales—are setting the stage for an exciting season. Both teams have built solid foundations in their early games, with impressive records and distinct team profiles. As they prepare for their respective upcoming matchups, let’s dive into their performance and key statistics so far.
Upper Arlington’s Solid Start
The Upper Arlington Golden Bears are off to a strong start with a 3-2 overall record. With a win percentage of .600, they’ve shown resilience in both home and away games. The team has been particularly dominant at home, where they’ve maintained an undefeated 3-0 record. However, they’ve faced more difficulty on the road, posting a 0-2 record in away games.
Despite some struggles in conference play (1-2), Upper Arlington’s offense has been impressive, averaging 50.4 points per game across four quarters. Their highest-scoring quarter has been the first, where they average 13.3 points.
With a total of 252 points scored and 220 points allowed, Upper Arlington has demonstrated the ability to compete, even if they haven’t always come out on top in tough conference matchups.
St. Francis DeSales: Unbeaten and Dominant
In contrast, St. Francis DeSales has been nothing short of dominant in their early games, boasting a perfect 5-0 record. Their offensive and defensive performance has been stellar, averaging an impressive 71.2 points per game, outscoring their opponents by a margin of 100 points (356 PF to 256 PA).
Their record speaks volumes, especially when considering their perfect 4-0 home record and a solid 1-0 performance in away games. DeSales has managed to maintain this level of dominance throughout the season, underscoring their ability to execute both offensively and defensively. The team’s scoring is spread across the game, allowing them to outpace their opponents from start to finish.
Common Opponents
Both teams have faced off against similar opponents, but with differing results. For example, both Upper Arlington and St. Francis DeSales have matches lined up with Tri-Valley and Grove City. However, DeSales had a resounding victory over Tri-Valley on December 14, 2024, winning 77-56, whereas Upper Arlington will face Tri-Valley on January 3, 2025. The upcoming game will be a chance for Upper Arlington to gauge how they stack up against the team that DeSales has already defeated.
St. Francis DeSales has already squared off with Grove City, while Upper Arlington will face them on January 7, 2025. It will be interesting to see how Upper Arlington fares against a team that DeSales has already faced, as the Golden Bears attempt to maintain their competitive edge.
Record Breakdown: A Comparative Look
Upper Arlington:
- Overall Record: 3-2
- Conference Record: 1-2
- Home Record: 3-0
- Away Record: 0-2
- Non-League Record: 2-0
- Points Scored (PF): 252
- Points Allowed (PA): 220
Upper Arlington’s record reflects a team with the potential to perform well, especially at home. However, their road record suggests they need to improve in tougher environments.
St. Francis DeSales:
- Overall Record: 5-0
- Conference Record: 0-0 (no conference games played yet)
- Home Record: 4-0
- Away Record: 1-0
- Non-League Record: 5-0
- Points Scored (PF): 356
- Points Allowed (PA): 256
DeSales is clearly in a commanding position, with no losses thus far. Their ability to consistently score high and keep opponents in check has been a key factor in their early success.
Key Upcoming Games
Looking ahead, Upper Arlington and St. Francis DeSales will face critical matchups against some of their toughest opponents. DeSales’ perfect start suggests they could be on track for a strong conference and state tournament run, but Upper Arlington will be looking to improve and bounce back with key victories in the coming weeks.
Key games include:
- Upper Arlington vs. Tri-Valley (1/3/25)
- St. Francis DeSales vs. Grove City (12/28/24)
- Upper Arlington vs. Grove City (1/7/25)
These contests could be pivotal for both teams as they navigate through the remainder of the season.
Conclusion
As both Upper Arlington and St. Francis DeSales continue their journeys through the 2024-2025 basketball season, their contrasting styles and records make them intriguing teams to follow. While Upper Arlington seeks to bolster its standing with more consistency in away games, St. Francis DeSales is looking like a formidable opponent for anyone in Ohio this year. Basketball fans can look forward to more thrilling matchups as these teams fight for dominance in their respective divisions and beyond.
