The Brattleboro (VT) varsity basketball team will play a home non-conference game against St. Johnsbury Academy (St. Johnsbury, VT) today at 1 p.m.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Vermont High School Basketball
Who: St. Johnsbury Academy vs Brattleboro
When: Today, December 21, 2024
Time: 1:00. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here

Game Preview: St. Johnsbury Academy vs Brattleboro

The Vermont high school basketball season is off to an exciting start, with teams like St. Johnsbury Academy and Brattleboro quickly making their mark. Both schools have displayed strong performances so far, and their head-to-head matchup earlier this month proved to be an intense contest. Let’s take a closer look at their records, team dynamics, and individual leaders.

St. Johnsbury Academy’s Impressive Start

St. Johnsbury Academy (SJA) has had a dominant start to their season, with a perfect 2-0 record. Both victories have come in impressive fashion, with the team winning at home and away by substantial margins. Their overall win percentage stands at 1.000, and they’ve been equally strong in district play, maintaining a flawless record of 1-0.

The team has showcased an outstanding offensive and defensive balance, averaging 65 points per game while holding opponents to just 76 total points across two games. Their ability to execute in the opening half is evident, as they’ve averaged a significant 48 points in the first two quarters combined. However, they’ve managed to maintain control through all four quarters, with consistent performances across the board.

St. Johnsbury Academy Team Scoring Breakdown:

• Q1: 23.0 points
• Q2: 25.0 points
• Q3: 15.0 points
• Q4: 8.0 points
• Total: 65.0 points per game

John Satterfield has emerged as a key player, contributing both offensively and defensively. He leads the team in points per game (12.3) and assists (3.3), as well as steals (1.7). Satterfield’s all-around game has been vital in the team’s early success.

Brattleboro: A Mixed Start

On the other hand, Brattleboro has a 2-1 overall record, with both wins coming on the road. The team’s performance at home has yet to be tested, and they are still looking to establish dominance in the district and non-district matchups. With a win percentage of .667, Brattleboro is off to a solid start but has areas for improvement.

Their scoring average sits at 50.7 points per game, with a balanced scoring attack across all four quarters. While they haven’t been able to match St. Johnsbury Academy’s offensive output, Brattleboro has proven resilient in close games, particularly in the final quarter, where they scored an average of 14.7 points.

Brattleboro Team Scoring Breakdown:

• Q1: 12.3 points
• Q2: 12.7 points
• Q3: 11.0 points
• Q4: 14.7 points
• Total: 50.7 points per game

Though they’ve been somewhat outpaced by St. Johnsbury Academy, the team’s star player, Owen Dascomb, has stood out on defense, averaging 1.7 blocks per game. However, the team will need more consistency in its offensive attack and improved defense if they hope to challenge stronger opponents.

Head-to-Head: St. Johnsbury Academy Dominates Brattleboro

The most recent matchup between these two schools was held on December 13, 2024, when St. Johnsbury Academy hosted Brattleboro in a non-conference game. SJA came out on top with a commanding 71-36 victory. Despite Brattleboro’s solid defense and strong finish in the fourth quarter, the game was never truly in doubt as SJA’s early dominance built an insurmountable lead.

Here’s a breakdown of the scoring by quarters in that game:

• Brattleboro: 9 (Q1), 9 (Q2), 7 (Q3), 11 (Q4) – 36 total points
• St. Johnsbury Academy: 23 (Q1), 25 (Q2), 15 (Q3), 8 (Q4) – 71 total points

The balance and efficiency of St. Johnsbury Academy’s offensive game, coupled with their strong defensive play, were the key factors in the blowout victory.

Looking Ahead: Upcoming Matchups

Both teams have important matchups in the coming weeks. St. Johnsbury Academy will face Rutland on December 23, 2024, followed by a game against Champlain Valley Union on January 20, 2025. Brattleboro, meanwhile, will look to bounce back when they face Rutland on January 3, 2025, and then play Champlain Valley Union on January 13, 2025.

Individual Leaders

St. Johnsbury Academy Leaders:

• Points Per Game: John Satterfield – 12.3
• Rebounds Per Game: Hudson Smith – 6.7
• Assists Per Game: John Satterfield – 3.3
• Steals Per Game: John Satterfield – 1.7
• Blocks Per Game: Owen Dascomb – 1.7

Brattleboro Leaders:

• Points Per Game: John Satterfield – 5.3
• Rebounds Per Game: Hudson Smith – 2.8
• Assists Per Game: John Satterfield – 1.1
• Steals Per Game: John Satterfield – 1.0
• Blocks Per Game: Owen Dascomb – 0.3

Conclusion

While both teams have shown promise early in the season, St. Johnsbury Academy has clearly been the more dominant force thus far, with their comprehensive win against Brattleboro serving as a statement. As the season progresses, both teams will look to build on their early performances, with St. Johnsbury Academy aiming to maintain their perfect record and Brattleboro striving for consistency and improvement. Fans of Vermont high school basketball are in for an exciting season ahead!