The St. Mary (Dell Rapids, SD) varsity basketball team will host a non-conference game against Oldham-Ramona/Rutland (Ramona, SD) today at 7:15 PM.

Game Details:

• Teams: ORRHS (Co-op) vs. St. Mary
• Date: Thursday, January 16, 2025
• Time: 7:15 PM
• Live stream: Watch Here
• Live stream: Watch Here

Oldham-Ramona/Rutland vs. St. Mary: A Look at the 2024-2025 Basketball Season

As the 2024-2025 high school basketball season progresses, two teams from South Dakota are making headlines for very different reasons: Oldham-Ramona/Rutland and St. Mary. The teams, representing distinct programs, have experienced significantly contrasting outcomes.

Oldham-Ramona/Rutland’s Struggles

Oldham-Ramona/Rutland has faced a challenging season, with an overall record of 0-8. Their record reflects struggles both in region play and non-league matchups. The team has been unable to secure a win in the five region games they’ve played, and the trend continues in their non-league games where they’ve also gone winless at 0-3. Their season’s cumulative scoring total stands at 335 points scored versus 503 points allowed, indicating a significant gap in their performance.

Despite these tough results, the team’s performance statistics do show effort. Oldham-Ramona/Rutland’s scoring average per game is 41.9, though they have yet to find the key to turning their efforts into victories. Games against teams like Iroquois/Lake Preston and Deubrook have been especially tough, with the team suffering losses by large margins such as a 75-40 defeat to Deubrook.

St. Mary: Dominance and Perfection

On the flip side, St. Mary has been a powerhouse this season, boasting an undefeated record of 8-0. Their dominance in both region play (2-0) and non-league games (6-0) is noteworthy. The team has won by an average of 66 points per game, outscoring opponents 528 to 384, which is a strong indicator of their offensive and defensive capabilities.

One of St. Mary’s impressive qualities is their consistent scoring. The team has averaged 14.0 points in the first quarter, 11.0 in the second, 18.0 in the third, and 13.0 in the final quarter, for a total of 66 points per game. This distribution across the four quarters speaks to their ability to maintain momentum and adjust throughout the game.

Common Opponents Highlight the Divide

One of the most telling comparisons between the two teams is their performance against common opponents. Oldham-Ramona/Rutland has faced teams such as Iroquois/Lake Preston, Deubrook, Arlington, and Colman-Egan, but unfortunately has been unable to secure a win in any of these matchups, going 0-5 in such encounters.

In contrast, St. Mary has faced the same teams and emerged victorious every time, holding a 6-0 record against the same common opponents. For example, St. Mary defeated Iroquois/Lake Preston 62-48 and Arlington 61-41, while Oldham-Ramona/Rutland lost to these teams by margins of 43-35 and 57-50, respectively. These results emphasize the gap between the two teams’ current levels of competition.

Breaking Down the Numbers

Here’s a closer look at the breakdown of the teams’ performances:

• Oldham-Ramona/Rutland (0-8):
  • Overall: 0-8
  • Region: 0-5
  • Non-League: 0-3
  • Home: 0-3
  • Away: 0-4
  • Neutral: 0-1
  • Points For: 335
  • Points Against: 503
• St. Mary (8-0):
  • Overall: 8-0
  • Region: 2-0
  • Non-League: 6-0
  • Home: 4-0
  • Away: 3-0
  • Neutral: 1-0
  • Points For: 528
  • Points Against: 384

Conclusion

The 2024-2025 season has proven to be a tale of two teams, each on vastly different paths. While Oldham-Ramona/Rutland struggles to find its footing and secure victories, St. Mary has been nearly perfect, dominating opponents with both offensive firepower and solid defense. The contrast in their performance against common opponents showcases the stark difference in their competitive levels. As the season progresses, Oldham-Ramona/Rutland will look to turn things around, while St. Mary will aim to continue its undefeated streak.