The St. Thomas More varsity basketball team (Rapid City, SD) will host a home conference game against Custer (SD) today at 7:30 p.m.

Game Details:

• Matchup: Custer vs St. Thomas More (STMHS)
• Date: Thursday, January 16, 2025
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: St. Thomas More High School, Rapid City, SD
• Live stream: Watch Here
• Live stream: Watch Here

Custer vs. St. Thomas More: A 2024-2025 Basketball Season Breakdown

The 2024-2025 high school basketball season has brought about some exciting matchups, with Custer and St. Thomas More both standing out in the South Dakota basketball scene. Each team has demonstrated strong performances, but as we delve into the rankings, records, and team averages, it becomes clear that both have unique strengths. Let’s take a closer look at each team’s performance and how they stack up against each other.

Custer (24-25)

Custer has proven to be a formidable team, boasting an impressive 7-1 overall record. With a home record of 2-0 and an away record of 2-0, they have shown consistency and strength both at home and on the road. They have also posted a solid 3-1 record in neutral site games, which adds to their overall winning percentage of .875.

Key Stats for Custer:

• Overall Record: 7-1
• Home Record: 2-0
• Away Record: 2-0
• Neutral Record: 3-1
• Win Percentage: .875
• Points Scored (PF): 463
• Points Allowed (PA): 320

Custer’s scoring breakdown across four quarters has been notably balanced, with a standout 16.0 points per game in the second quarter. However, they tend to struggle in the fourth quarter, scoring just 2.0 points on average. Still, their consistent first half has enabled them to stay ahead in many of their matchups.

St. Thomas More (24-25)

St. Thomas More has also had a competitive season, finishing with a 7-4 overall record. Their performance has been slightly more varied, with a 1-2 record in league games but a stronger 5-2 record in non-league contests. Their home and away records are solid, and they have had some success in neutral games, boasting a 4-3 record in such settings.

Key Stats for St. Thomas More:

• Overall Record: 7-4
• Region Record: 1-2
• Home Record: 1-1
• Away Record: 2-0
• Neutral Record: 4-3
• Win Percentage: .636
• Region Win Percentage: .333
• Points Scored (PF): 585
• Points Allowed (PA): 503

St. Thomas More’s scoring is more evenly distributed across the quarters compared to Custer, with an average of 16.5 points in the first quarter, peaking at 18.0 in the third. However, their fourth-quarter scoring dips to 10.0, which might be a point of improvement if they are to close out games successfully.

Common Opponents: A Competitive Landscape

Both teams share several common opponents this season, providing a valuable comparison for their performances against similar competition.

• Custer’s record against common opponents: 1-0
• St. Thomas More’s record against common opponents: 2-2

Notable games include:

• Custer vs. Sturgis Brown (12/13/24): Custer won 71-54.
• St. Thomas More vs. Sturgis Brown (1/3/25): St. Thomas More won 59-37.
• Custer vs. Rapid City Christian (1/28/25): Custer plays at home against Rapid City Christian.
• St. Thomas More vs. Rapid City Christian (1/13/25): St. Thomas More suffered a 38-27 loss at home, followed by another loss 51-30 on 1/14/25.

These results indicate that while Custer has shown dominance against their common opponents, St. Thomas More has experienced some challenges, particularly in games against Rapid City Christian.

In-State and Out-of-State Comparisons

When breaking down the records further, Custer stands strong within the state of South Dakota, with a 4-1 record against in-state teams. St. Thomas More, on the other hand, has a 2-2 record against in-state opponents and a slightly better out-of-state record of 5-2. This suggests that while both teams are competitive in their home state, St. Thomas More has seen more success when facing teams outside of South Dakota.

Head-to-Head Showdown

Looking ahead, one of the most anticipated matchups is between Custer and St. Thomas More. The two teams have yet to face off this season, but given their current performances and records, it will certainly be a game to watch. Custer’s superior win percentage and scoring consistency could give them the edge, but St. Thomas More’s experience and resilience could level the playing field.

Conclusion

In summary, both Custer and St. Thomas More have shown great promise this season. Custer’s high win percentage and strong home and away performance position them as a top contender in the state, while St. Thomas More’s ability to score across all quarters and their strong out-of-state record show that they can compete at a high level. As they prepare for future matchups, including their head-to-head clash, it is clear that both teams will continue to be formidable forces in South Dakota high school basketball.