The St. Mary’s Academy varsity basketball team (St. Marys, KS) will host Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, KS) for a non-conference game on Friday, January 17, at 6:00 PM.

Game Details:

• Teams: Sunrise Christian Academy (SCA) vs. St. Mary’s Academy (SMA)
• Date: Friday, January 17, 2025
• Time: 6:00 PM
• Live stream: Watch Here

Basketball Showdown: Sunrise Christian Academy vs. St. Mary’s Academy (24-25 Season)

As the 2024-2025 high school basketball season progresses, fans and analysts alike are eagerly anticipating the upcoming matchups between Sunrise Christian Academy and St. Mary’s Academy. With these two teams set to face off in non-conference games, there is much to look forward to. The first game will take place on Friday, January 17, at St. Mary’s Academy in St. Marys, Kansas, followed by a return game on Saturday, February 1, at Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire, Kansas. Let’s break down what to expect from these teams.

Team Overview

Sunrise Christian Academy has been dominant this season, boasting an impressive 10-2 record. They have a strong performance both at home (2-0) and on the road (1-1), with the majority of their success coming in neutral-site games, where they are 7-1. Their win percentage sits at a solid .833, underscoring their efficiency and effectiveness on the court.

In contrast, St. Mary’s Academy has had a tougher season, with a 2-6 record. They have struggled both at home (1-1) and away (1-5), but they will be looking to use their home court advantage in the upcoming matchups. Their win percentage of .250 reflects their challenges in securing victories thus far.

Team Scoring & Averages

Sunrise Christian Academy has demonstrated offensive power, averaging 65.3 points per game. Their scoring has been most effective in the second half, especially in the third quarter, where they average 23 points. Their ability to score consistently in each period, particularly in the fourth quarter (18 points), showcases their overall team strength.

On the other hand, St. Mary’s Academy has struggled offensively, averaging just 34.3 points per game, though the team has been competitive in spurts. This low scoring average indicates that St. Mary’s will need to focus on improving their offensive production if they want to compete with a high-powered team like Sunrise Christian Academy.

Key Players to Watch

For Sunrise Christian Academy, several players have been standouts:

• Tomohito Kobari leads the team with 12.5 points per game, making him the primary scoring threat.
• Marko Pavlovic contributes significantly in the paint, averaging 4.4 rebounds per game.
• Iyzrel Graham has been a dual threat, averaging 4.8 assists and 2.8 steals per game, while also adding 2.8 blocks per game, making him a well-rounded performer.

St. Mary’s Academy will look to improve their performances, especially in areas such as scoring and rebounding. Although they don’t have specific standout statistics to point to at this time, their efforts in team play will be critical in the upcoming matchups against stronger teams.

Head-to-Head Comparison

• Sunrise Christian Academy has played with dominance against common opponents. They boast a 3-0 record against teams they share with St. Mary’s Academy, including victories over Wichita HomeSchool, Wichita Defenders HomeSchool, and Manhattan HomeSchool CHIEF. Their ability to win these matchups decisively shows the strength of their squad.
• St. Mary’s Academy, however, has performed better against certain opponents, including a 1-0 record against Wichita HomeSchool. Their ability to pull off wins in tight contests will be tested as they face Sunrise Christian Academy, known for its scoring efficiency.

Upcoming Games

• January 17, 2025: Sunrise Christian Academy (10-2) vs St. Mary’s Academy (2-6) at St. Mary’s Academy in St. Marys, KS at 6:00 PM. This game will be crucial for St. Mary’s to find a way to slow down Sunrise’s offense and capitalize on any possible home-court advantages.
• February 1, 2025: St. Mary’s Academy (2-6) vs Sunrise Christian Academy (10-2) at Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire, KS at 1:30 PM. Sunrise will look to extend their strong record, while St. Mary’s will aim to turn their season around with a big road win.

Conclusion

With Sunrise Christian Academy clearly the favorite, their record and overall offensive production make them the team to beat. However, St. Mary’s Academy will not be backing down easily and will look to use the home-court advantage to turn things around. With talented players like Tomohito Kobari and Iyzrel Graham leading the charge, Sunrise Christian Academy is poised to continue their winning ways, but St. Mary’s will look for any opportunities to surprise their opponents. Fans should look forward to an exciting and competitive series between these two teams.