As the 2024-25 basketball season heats up, two teams have emerged as standout contenders in Georgia’s high school basketball scene: Atlanta International and St. Francis. Both teams have had impressive starts to their respective seasons, and their head-to-head matchups and overall performance make for an exciting comparison. Let’s dive into the rankings, records, team stats, and more to explore what makes these teams so formidable.

Record Breakdown

Both teams have established strong records early in the season.

• Atlanta International has posted a 6-1 overall record with a perfect 2-0 region record. They’ve been dominant at home with a 5-1 record but have shown resilience on the road with a 1-0 record in away games. Their scoring has been solid, averaging 44.1 points per game.
• St. Francis, on the other hand, is undefeated with a 6-0 record. They’ve also gone 1-0 in the region, with an impressive 3-0 away record and 1-0 neutral site record. St. Francis has been an offensive juggernaut, putting up 68.0 points per game, a staggering total that leads the region.

Scoring and Stat Comparison

When it comes to scoring, both teams are efficient, but St. Francis clearly outpaces Atlanta International. Here’s a breakdown of their respective team averages:

• Atlanta International: 44.1 points per game, led by standout players like #23 G Rogers (16.7 PPG) and #15 Ameila Basit (15.2 RPG).
• St. Francis: A high-scoring team, they average 68.0 points per game, with #1 Cam Golston leading the charge (4.7 APG, 4.0 SPG). The team is also strong defensively, posting solid numbers in rebounds (37.7 RPG), assists (15.0 APG), and steals (13.5 SPG).

The disparity in scoring averages highlights the potent offensive capabilities of St. Francis, but Atlanta International’s balanced attack—especially on defense—should not be underestimated.

Head-to-Head Matchups

Both teams have faced off against several common opponents this season, and their performances have provided interesting insights into how they measure up.

• Atlanta International has secured victories against teams like Fellowship Christian (48-46) and King’s Ridge Christian (33-22), while St. Francis has also picked up a solid win over Galloway (66-48) and a win over Wesleyan.
• Looking ahead, both teams will continue their season with challenging matchups against teams like Landmark Christian, Whitefield Academy, and Mt. Bethel Christian Academy, all of which will give us a clearer picture of their capabilities.

Key Players to Watch

• Atlanta International: Watch for #23 G Rogers, who leads the team with 16.7 points per game, and #15 Ameila Basit, a dominant force on the boards, averaging 15.2 rebounds per game. Their combined efforts on offense and defense make Atlanta International a tough team to beat.
• St. Francis: #1 Cam Golston has been a standout in every facet of the game, averaging 4.7 assists and 4.0 steals per game, while also contributing on offense. Golston’s all-around play, combined with the team’s offensive depth, makes St. Francis a formidable opponent.

Looking Ahead

As both teams continue to roll through the season, their upcoming matchups will shape the playoff race. Atlanta International’s strong defensive and balanced offensive play should serve them well as they take on tough region opponents. Meanwhile, St. Francis will look to maintain their undefeated streak and further solidify their status as one of Georgia’s premier teams.

With the head-to-head showdown yet to occur, basketball fans are eagerly awaiting the day when Atlanta International and St. Francis meet on the court. It promises to be a thrilling contest between two of the state’s most elite programs.