As the 2024-25 basketball season unfolds, two teams have emerged as dominant forces in their respective spheres: Great Crossing and St. Xavier. Both teams have maintained unblemished records, setting the stage for what could be one of the most anticipated matchups if their paths cross this season. Let’s dive into the details behind their stellar starts and see how they compare.

Team Records and Rankings

• Great Crossing
  • Overall Record: 5-0
  • Home Record: 4-0
  • Away Record: 1-0
  • Points For (PF): 408
  • Points Against (PA): 307
  • National Rank: 10
• St. Xavier
  • Overall Record: 4-0
  • District Record: 1-0
  • Home Record: 3-0
  • Away Record: 1-0
  • Points For (PF): 365
  • Points Against (PA): 212

Both teams boast impressive point differentials, but Great Crossing has played one more game, showcasing their ability to sustain success over a slightly larger sample size.

Offensive Firepower: Team Scoring Averages

• Great Crossing:
  • Final Score Average: 81.6 points per game
  • Strong scoring consistency across quarters, peaking in the first (21.4 points).
  • Notable late-game efficiency with 20 points per fourth quarter and 14 in overtime situations.
• St. Xavier:
  • Final Score Average: 91.3 points per game
  • While quarter-by-quarter data is unavailable, St. Xavier’s average outpaces Great Crossing, indicating their high-octane offense.

St. Xavier’s ability to pour in points at such a high rate could make them a nightmare for opposing defenses, while Great Crossing’s balanced scoring profile gives them adaptability.

Key Players to Watch

Great Crossing

• #24 Malachi Moreno (The Team’s Backbone):
  • Points Per Game: 22.0
  • Rebounds Per Game: 16.8
  • Blocks Per Game: 3.8
  • A dominant two-way presence who impacts the game on both ends of the floor.
• #3 Trevanti Cooper:
  • Steals Per Game: 1.5
  • A defensive spark who ensures Great Crossing capitalizes on turnovers.

St. Xavier

• While individual stats aren’t available, the team’s collective ability to outscore opponents by an average of 91.3 to 53 (margin based on points for and against) suggests multiple players are performing at a high level.

Common Opponents: An Early Litmus Test

While the two teams haven’t faced each other yet, St. Xavier has a slight edge in common opponent performance.

• St. Xavier defeated Covington Catholic convincingly (89-70) on November 27.
• Great Crossing is set to play Covington Catholic on December 14, providing a clearer comparison soon.

Strengths Comparison

Great Crossing:

• Dominant rebounding (35.3 RPG) and shot-blocking (6.0 BPG), anchored by Malachi Moreno, give them a defensive edge.
• Balanced scoring spread makes them less reliant on a single quarter or game situation.

St. Xavier:

• Superior scoring average (91.3 PPG) highlights their explosive offensive potential.
• Consistent district performance shows their capability to handle pressure games.

What’s Next?

Both teams face challenging schedules that will test their resilience. If their winning streaks hold, a showdown between Great Crossing and St. Xavier would be a battle of styles: Great Crossing’s balanced, defense-oriented play versus St. Xavier’s relentless scoring.

For now, fans can only hope these juggernauts cross paths, bringing a marquee matchup to the forefront of high school basketball.