The Saint James varsity basketball team (Hagerstown, MD) is set to play a neutral tournament game against St. John’s Catholic Prep (Buckeystown, MD) today at 3 p.m.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: Washington, DC High School Basketball
Who: St. John’s Catholic Prep vs Saint James
When: Today, December 14, 2024
Time: 3:00. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here
Game Preview: St. John’s Catholic Prep vs Saint James
The high school basketball season in Washington, DC, is heating up, and two teams, St. John’s Catholic Prep and Saint James, are carving out their paths for the 2024-25 season. Both teams have shown flashes of brilliance but face challenges in maintaining consistency. Let’s break down their performances, key statistics, and standout players.
Season Overview
St. John’s Catholic Prep
- Overall Record: 2-2
- Home Record: 2-0
- Away Record: 0-1
- Neutral Record: 0-1
- Win Percentage: 50%
- Points Scored (PF): 257
- Points Allowed (PA): 254
Despite their balanced win-loss record, St. John’s Catholic Prep demonstrates strong performances at home, remaining undefeated. Their narrow margin in points scored versus points allowed highlights their competitive edge in close games.
Saint James
- Overall Record: 3-6
- Home Record: 1-2
- Away Record: 0-1
- Neutral Record: 2-3
- Win Percentage: 33.3%
- Points Scored (PF): 575
- Points Allowed (PA): 613
Saint James has struggled to find consistency, particularly in neutral-site games. They’ve faced tough competition, which is evident in their higher points allowed compared to points scored. However, their resilience in out-of-state matchups (3-6) shows promise for growth.
Scoring Averages
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
| Quarter | St. John’s Catholic Prep | Saint James |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 10.5 | 22.0 |
| Q2 | 15.0 | 17.5 |
| Q3 | 18.0 | 12.0 |
| Q4 | 10.5 | 16.5 |
| Final Avg | 64.3 | 63.9 |
St. John’s Catholic Prep shows a steady scoring improvement throughout the game, peaking in the third quarter. Saint James, on the other hand, starts strong in the first half but slows down in the third quarter before rebounding slightly in the fourth.
Key Stats Comparison
| Statistic | St. John’s Catholic Prep | Saint James |
|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 63.7 | 63.9 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 27.6 | — |
| Assists Per Game | 10.0 | — |
| Steals Per Game | 7.2 | — |
| Blocks Per Game | 1.2 | — |
Both teams are evenly matched in scoring, with a slight edge to Saint James in overall points per game. However, St. John’s Catholic Prep excels in defensive and ball-sharing metrics, such as steals and assists.
Player Spotlights
St. John’s Catholic Prep
- #23 Jayden Yates
- Points Per Game: 24.9
- Rebounds Per Game: 5.4
- Assists Per Game: 2.2
- Steals Per Game: 1.6
Jayden Yates is the cornerstone of St. John’s offensive and defensive efforts, leading in almost every major category. His ability to consistently score nearly 25 points per game makes him a standout in the league.
- #13 Emmanuel Adambu
- Blocks Per Game: 0.3
Adambu adds a defensive presence, contributing key blocks in critical moments.
Saint James
While individual statistics for Saint James are not as detailed, their balanced team effort contributes to their competitive nature, especially in high-scoring games.
Key Takeaways
- Home Advantage: St. John’s undefeated record at home gives them a distinct advantage in familiar settings.
- Consistency Issues: Both teams struggle with maintaining momentum, especially in neutral or away games.
- Player Impact: St. John’s Jayden Yates stands out as a potential game-changer who can tilt any matchup in his team’s favor.
Looking Ahead
As the season progresses, both St. John’s Catholic Prep and Saint James have opportunities to refine their strategies and capitalize on their strengths. The matchups to come will reveal whether St. John’s can maintain their home dominance and if Saint James can tighten their defense to complement their scoring prowess.
Basketball fans in Washington, DC, have much to look forward to as these teams continue to battle for success in the 2024-25 season.
