The St. Francis Episcopal varsity basketball team from Houston, TX, will face St. Xavier from Louisville, KY, in a neutral tournament game today at 3:50 PM as part of the Holiday Classic in San Diego, CA.

St. Francis Episcopal vs St. Xavier Game Info:

What: Texas High School Basketball Playoffs
Who: St. Francis Episcopal vs St. Xavier
When: Monday, December 30, 2024
Time: 3:50 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here

Game preview: St. Francis Episcopal vs St. Xavier

The 2024-25 basketball season has seen impressive performances from both St. Xavier and St. Francis Episcopal, with each team standing out in their respective regions. However, despite their different rankings and regions, their paths show key contrasts that highlight strengths, weaknesses, and individual talents.

Team Rankings & Records

St. Xavier, based in Kentucky, holds a strong overall record of 11-1, leading both nationally (ranked 20th) and within the state (ranked 1st). Their .917 win percentage speaks volumes about their dominance, particularly with an undefeated 1-0 district record. In contrast, St. Francis Episcopal of Texas has a respectable record of 14-7 but stands 56th nationally, with a higher 4th place rank in Texas. This suggests they face tougher competition in their region but maintain solid state and division rankings. Their win percentage of .667 shows consistency, though they’ve been tested more frequently with close matches.

Home, Away, and Neutral Performance

Both teams show similar dominance at home and away. St. Xavier is perfect at home with a 4-0 record and continues their strength on the road with a 2-0 away record. Their neutral ground record (5-1) proves that they can adapt to various environments. St. Francis Episcopal, though not flawless, holds an admirable 2-0 home record, a 3-0 away record, and a respectable 9-7 neutral record. St. Francis thrives particularly on neutral courts, perhaps due to playing a wider variety of teams in different settings.

Scoring Averages and Offensive Prowess

Offensively, St. Xavier has a clear advantage. They average 86.3 points per game compared to St. Francis Episcopal’s 63.1 points per game. The first quarter is crucial for both teams, with St. Xavier averaging 26 points, setting the tone early in games. Their balanced scoring throughout all four quarters keeps opponents on their heels, as they consistently maintain a high level of output.

St. Francis Episcopal, while not as explosive, demonstrates steady scoring, with an average of 16.0 points in the first quarter and a slight increase in the fourth quarter (16.2 points). Their ability to stay competitive late in games can be crucial, as evidenced by their 9.0 points average in overtime. This suggests resilience in close matches.

Key Player Contributions

St. Xavier:

• Chance Dillingham (#11) leads the team with 13.8 points per game. His scoring is instrumental in maintaining the team’s offensive prowess.
• Will Hanke (#35) leads with 4.3 rebounds per game, showing a solid presence in the paint.

St. Francis Episcopal:

• Nigel Walls (#22) narrowly leads with 13.9 points per game, highlighting his importance to the team’s scoring efforts.
• Christian Hodge (#15) stands out with 7.8 rebounds per game and 2.0 blocks per game, showing his versatility and defensive impact.
• John Laboy II (#12) contributes significantly with 4.5 assists per game and 2.5 steals per game, orchestrating plays and creating turnovers.

Team Stat Comparison: Strengths and Weaknesses

• Rebounding: St. Francis Episcopal edges out St. Xavier in rebounds per game, averaging 30.1 to St. Xavier’s 27.8. This may indicate a slight advantage in controlling the boards and getting second-chance opportunities.
• Assists & Defense: While St. Xavier’s assist and steal stats are not provided, St. Francis Episcopal stands out with 14.7 assists and 10.4 steals per game. Their ability to move the ball and create defensive pressure is a clear strength. Additionally, their 5.6 blocks per game, led by Christian Hodge, suggests a strong interior defense.

Record Breakdown & Regional Competition

St. Xavier has dominated within Kentucky, going 8-0 in in-state competition. This has helped solidify their ranking as the top team in Kentucky. Their out-of-state performance (3-1) demonstrates their ability to compete on a broader scale. St. Francis Episcopal has faced stiffer in-state competition, with a 7-5 record, but has performed better out-of-state (5-2). This shows their adaptability to different opponents outside of Texas.

Conclusion

Both St. Xavier and St. Francis Episcopal have displayed solid performances this season, though their paths differ. St. Xavier’s offensive firepower and overall consistency make them a formidable opponent nationally, while St. Francis Episcopal’s balance between offense and defense, especially in rebounding and playmaking, keeps them competitive in every game. With key players like Dillingham and Walls leading the charge, both teams are set to continue their strong runs as the season progresses.