The Alexandria City varsity basketball team will play a neutral non-conference game against St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes today at 5 p.m. in Alexandria, VA.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: Virginia High School Basketball
Who: St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes vs Alexandria City
When: Today, December 14, 2024
Time: 5:00. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here
Game Preview: St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes vs Alexandria City
The 2024-2025 Virginia high school basketball season has showcased some intense competition, with St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes and Alexandria City emerging as two teams with contrasting records and performance metrics. As the season progresses, let’s dive into their statistics, team leaders, and head-to-head comparisons to get a better understanding of their strengths and challenges.
St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes: A Strong Start
St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes boasts an impressive overall record of 5-1, with a notable 4-0 record at home. Their win percentage stands at .833, and they have a solid .667 win percentage in their region. They have shown dominance in several areas, with a particularly strong offensive presence, averaging 70.3 points per game. This scoring is balanced across the four quarters, averaging 19.3 points in the first and third quarters and 18.8 in the second quarter, with 14.0 points in the final period.
Their team’s strength lies not just in scoring but also in rebounding and assists. They average 32.8 rebounds per game, far outpacing Alexandria City’s 24.5, and 13.2 assists per game, providing excellent ball movement. Their defense is also solid, with 9.3 steals and 2.7 blocks per game.
Key Players:
- Riley Jacobs is a standout player, averaging 18.3 points and 12.0 rebounds per game.
- Devin Ainsworth is contributing 2.7 assists per game, facilitating much of the offense.
- Colin Pollock provides strong defensive stats, with 2.3 steals and 1.7 blocks per game.
Alexandria City: Struggling to Find Momentum
In contrast, Alexandria City has had a much tougher season, with an overall record of 1-4. Their win percentage of .200 reflects their difficulties, and they’ve struggled both at home (1-3) and on the road (0-1). Alexandria City’s scoring has been below average, with the team only managing 49.4 points per game. This is well below the offensive power of St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes, and it has been evident in their lower-scoring quarters, averaging 14.5 points in both the first and fourth quarters.
In terms of rebounding, assists, and steals, Alexandria City is also lagging behind. The team pulls down just 24.5 rebounds per game, and their assist tally stands at 11.8 per game. Defensively, they average 12.3 steals but only 1.5 blocks, indicating a reliance on perimeter defense over shot-blocking inside.
Key Players:
- Corde Byrd leads the team in scoring with 10.5 points per game.
- Tarik Sesay is a major contributor, averaging 6.3 rebounds and 5.0 steals per game.
- Octavius Miller Jr. is also contributing 3.3 assists per game.
Common Opponents and Head-to-Head
Both teams faced Episcopal as a common opponent early in the season. St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes came out victorious with a 69-52 win on 12/7/24, while Alexandria City suffered a tough loss to Episcopal, 78-51, on 12/2/24. This head-to-head comparison highlights the disparity between the teams in terms of both scoring and defensive performance. As St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes looks to continue its momentum, Alexandria City will need to adjust and improve its consistency to become more competitive against similarly strong opponents.
Record Breakdown
Here’s a closer look at the record breakdown for both teams:
| Category | St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes | Alexandria City |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Record | 5-1 | 1-4 |
| League Record | 2-1 | 0-0 |
| Non-League Record | 1-0 | 1-4 |
| Home Record | 5-0 | 1-3 |
| Away Record | 0-1 | 0-1 |
| In-State Record | 3-1 | 1-2 |
| Out-of-State Record | 2-0 | 0-2 |
Team Stats Comparison
| Statistic | St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes | Alexandria City |
|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 70.3 | 49.4 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 32.8 | 24.5 |
| Assists Per Game | 13.2 | 11.8 |
| Steals Per Game | 9.3 | 12.3 |
| Blocks Per Game | 2.7 | 1.5 |
Looking Ahead
St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes is well-positioned to continue its strong season, with balanced scoring, excellent rebounding, and strong defense. As they continue to dominate in their region, they’ll be looking to maintain their momentum in both home and away games.
On the other hand, Alexandria City faces significant challenges but will be hoping to make adjustments and improve in key areas like scoring, rebounding, and defense. Their ability to turn around their season will depend on how well they can adapt to the competitive landscape and sharpen their weaknesses.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on these teams to see how they evolve and how their next matchups play out, especially with the common opponents still on the horizon.
