The St. Xavier varsity basketball team (Cincinnati, OH) will host a non-conference game against Covington Catholic (Park Hills, KY) today at 5:00 PM.

Here’s what you need Basketball to know:

What: Ohio High School Basketball
Who: St. Xavier vs Covington Catholic
When: Saturday, January 4, 2025
Time: 5:00. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch Here

Covington Catholic vs. St. Xavier: A Head-to-Head Comparison for 2024-25

As the 2024-25 basketball season unfolds, Covington Catholic (KY) and St. Xavier (OH) emerge as two highly ranked teams with impressive records. With only a few games separating their season stats, this matchup promises to deliver exciting basketball for fans and analysts alike. Let’s take a closer look at how these two teams stack up against each other based on their overall performance, statistics, and upcoming head-to-head matchups.

Team Records and Performance

Covington Catholic (KY) – 9-2 Overall
Covington Catholic has proven itself a formidable force in the 2024-25 season with a solid 9-2 record. The team has shown its strength across multiple settings, maintaining an 818 win percentage with a score of 799 points and allowing 635. The team’s strong performance has been particularly notable at home (3-0), on the road (5-2), and at neutral venues (1-0).
Key Stats:

• Points per Game: 72.6
• Assists per Game: 14.0
• Rebounds per Game: 27.0
  Notable players like Donovan Waleskowski (14.2 PPG) and Jacob Wassler (8.0 RPG, 2.9 APG) have provided steady leadership throughout the season.

St. Xavier (OH) – 9-1 Overall
St. Xavier has the upper hand in terms of win percentage, boasting a 9-1 record, with an outstanding .900 win rate. They have scored 555 points while giving up just 403. The team has excelled at home (5-0) and away (2-0), with a more mixed performance at neutral sites (2-1).
Key Stats:

• Points per Game: 55.5
• Assists per Game: 6.6
  The team has relied heavily on players like Brendan Deeley, who leads in steals (1.9 SPG), and Charlie Gruber, who offers strong defense with 0.4 blocks per game.

Scoring Comparisons

Covington Catholic’s offense has been impressive, averaging over 72 points per game, with a balanced scoring distribution across all four quarters. Each period sees them putting up 17 points, which contributes to their overall consistency. In contrast, St. Xavier’s scoring distribution is slightly more varied, with a higher-scoring fourth quarter (15 points) but a lower overall scoring average of 55.5 points per game. This discrepancy highlights Covington Catholic’s offensive depth, while St. Xavier relies on stronger defensive efforts.

Team Stat Comparison

• Points Per Game: Covington Catholic has a clear advantage in offensive output, averaging 72.6 PPG compared to St. Xavier’s 55.5 PPG.
• Rebounds Per Game: Both teams are comparable in rebounding, with Covington Catholic pulling down an average of 27.0 boards per game versus St. Xavier’s 25.0.
• Assists Per Game: Covington Catholic has a noticeable edge in assists, averaging 14.0 per game, which is significantly higher than St. Xavier’s 6.6.
• Steals Per Game: St. Xavier excels in steals, with an average of 6.6 steals per game, driven by standout defender Brendan Deeley (1.9 SPG).
• Blocks Per Game: Covington Catholic’s defense includes solid contributions from Charlie Gruber, who averages 0.4 blocks per game, providing an edge in rim protection.

Head-to-Head and Common Opponents

Both teams will have the opportunity to face common opponents in the coming months, which could provide further insight into their relative strengths. For example:

• Walton-Verona: Covington Catholic will face Walton-Verona on January 15, while St. Xavier has already secured a dominant 59-31 victory over the team on December 20.
• Archbishop Moeller: Covington Catholic has scheduled a matchup with Archbishop Moeller on February 11, while St. Xavier faces the same opponent on January 17 and February 7.

Breakdown by Venue and State

In-state play has been favorable for both teams, with Covington Catholic posting a 5-2 record in Kentucky and St. Xavier going undefeated (4-0) in Ohio. On the national stage, both teams have faced tough competition, with Covington Catholic at 4-0 out-of-state and St. Xavier at 5-1. This difference in out-of-state performance could be a key factor in future matchups.

Key Players to Watch

• Covington Catholic:
  • Donovan Waleskowski – 14.2 PPG
  • Jacob Wassler – 8.0 RPG, 2.9 APG
  • Brendan Deeley – 1.9 SPG
• St. Xavier:
  • Charlie Gruber – 0.4 BPG
  • Brendan Deeley – 1.9 SPG

Conclusion

With similar overall records and statistical performance, the head-to-head matchups between Covington Catholic and St. Xavier will certainly be intriguing. Covington Catholic’s offensive firepower and balanced attack could give them an edge, while St. Xavier’s defense, led by standout performers like Brendan Deeley, could be a key factor in slowing down their opponent’s high-scoring attack. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how these two powerhouse teams perform against their common opponents and each other. With both teams showing promise, expect an exciting season ahead for these two top contenders.