The St. Joseph varsity basketball team (Natrona Heights, PA) will play a home conference game against Monessen (PA) on Friday, January 10, 2025, at 7:30 p.m.
Here’s what you need Basketball to know:
What: Pennsylvania High School Basketball
Who: St. Joseph vs Monessen
When: Friday, January 10, 2025
Time: 7:30. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch Here
Comparing Monessen and St. Joseph Basketball Teams: A Breakdown of the 2024-2025 Season
The 2024-2025 basketball season has been an interesting one for both Monessen and St. Joseph as they each strive to make their mark in the competitive landscape of high school basketball. Both teams have had their ups and downs, with identical overall records, but their journey and performances on the court tell different stories. Let’s take a closer look at their rankings, records, scoring averages, and performances against common opponents.
Team Records
Monessen (24-25)
- Overall Record: 4-4
- Conference Record: 0-2
- Home Record: 1-1
- Away Record: 1-1
- Neutral Site Record: 2-2
- Points For (PF): 468
- Points Against (PA): 440
- Win Percentage: .500
- Conference Win Percentage: .000
Monessen has had a balanced record this season, going .500 overall with four wins and four losses. However, their conference play has been a struggle, sitting at 0-2. Despite this, the team has shown resilience in non-league games with a 4-1 record. With a scoring average of 58.5 points per game, Monessen is performing at a solid level, but their defense, allowing an average of 55 points per game, might need some adjustments.
St. Joseph (24-25)
- Overall Record: 4-4
- Conference Record: 1-1
- Home Record: 3-0
- Away Record: 1-2
- Neutral Site Record: 0-2
- Points For (PF): 421
- Points Against (PA): 439
- Win Percentage: .500
- Conference Win Percentage: .500
St. Joseph mirrors Monessen’s overall record at 4-4, with a more balanced conference standing of 1-1. While they’ve been perfect at home with a 3-0 record, they’ve struggled a bit on the road and at neutral sites. Their offensive production is slightly lower than Monessen’s, with a team scoring average of 52.6 points per game. Their defense has allowed 54.9 points per game, and they’ll need to sharpen their play if they hope to make a stronger push in the second half of the season.
Scoring Averages and Game Breakdown
Monessen and St. Joseph display different scoring patterns across the four quarters of their games.
Monessen Scoring Averages:
- Q1: 10.0
- Q2: 12.0
- Q3: 15.0
- Q4: 17.0
- Final: 58.5
Monessen starts strong in the second half, particularly in the third and fourth quarters, where they score an average of 32 points combined. This suggests a team that may take time to settle into the game but has the ability to close strong when the game is on the line.
St. Joseph Scoring Averages:
- Q1: 17.0
- Q2: 13.0
- Q3: 15.0
- Q4: 12.0
- Final: 52.6
St. Joseph, on the other hand, has been strong at the start of games, averaging 17 points in the first quarter. However, they tend to fade a little as the game progresses, particularly in the fourth quarter where they average just 12 points. Their ability to maintain a high level of scoring in the second half could be an area to focus on for improvement.
Head-to-Head Record and Common Opponents
The two teams’ records against common opponents provide valuable insights into their relative performances.
Monessen’s Common Opponents:
- Neighborhood Academy (0-2)
- Serra Catholic (0-2)
- Environmental Charter (1-1)
- Geibel Catholic (0-2)
St. Joseph’s Common Opponents:
- Neighborhood Academy (1-1)
- Serra Catholic (1-1)
- Environmental Charter (2-0)
- Geibel Catholic (1-1)
Monessen has struggled against their common opponents, particularly against Serra Catholic and Geibel Catholic, where they have yet to secure a win. In contrast, St. Joseph has had a stronger performance, especially against Environmental Charter, where they are undefeated.
Record Breakdown by Location
Monessen:
- Home: 1-1
- Away: 1-1
- Neutral: 2-2
St. Joseph:
- Home: 3-0
- Away: 1-2
- Neutral: 0-2
Monessen has shown a decent level of play across all locations, but their neutral-site games have been inconsistent. St. Joseph has excelled at home but will need to find ways to win on the road and at neutral sites if they are to improve their overall record.
Conclusion
Both Monessen and St. Joseph are in a similar spot at the midpoint of the 2024-2025 basketball season, with identical 4-4 overall records. While Monessen has excelled in non-league games, their conference play has left something to be desired. St. Joseph has been solid at home but struggles when playing away from their home court. Looking ahead, both teams will need to address their weaknesses, particularly in the second half of games, if they hope to make a deep run in their respective conferences.
As the season progresses, the rivalry between these two teams will likely intensify, making for exciting basketball in the months ahead.
