The St. Xavier (Cincinnati, OH) varsity basketball team will play a neutral non-conference game against SPIRE Academy (Geneva, OH) today at 8:30 p.m.

Game Details:

• Matchup: SPIRE Academy vs. St. Xavier
• Date: Saturday, January 11, 2025
• Time: 8:30 p.m.
• Venue: Thomas More – Griffin Elite
• Live stream: Watch Here

A Deep Dive into SPIRE Academy and St. Xavier Basketball Programs

As the 2024-2025 basketball season unfolds, two schools are making waves in Ohio basketball: SPIRE Academy and St. Xavier. Both teams boast impressive histories and bring unique styles of play to the court. Here’s an in-depth comparison of the two teams based on their performance so far, key player stats, and what to expect moving forward.

Team Performance Overview

SPIRE Academy

Located in Geneva, Ohio, SPIRE Academy has faced a challenging season with a 3-7 overall record. With a win percentage of .300, SPIRE has shown resilience in both home and away games. Their record at home is a solid 1-0, but the team has struggled on the road with a 2-6 record. Their neutral game performance also has been tough, sitting at 0-1. The Academy has managed to score an average of 54.7 points per game, but with 613 points against them, defense has been an area of concern.

St. Xavier

St. Xavier, based in Cincinnati, has had a standout season, boasting a 10-2 record. With a win percentage of .833, St. Xavier has shown dominance across different types of games. The team’s home record is 6-1, and they have been equally strong in neutral games, with a 3-1 record. Their away record stands at 1-0. Averaging 56.0 points per game, St. Xavier has been more efficient offensively than SPIRE, and their defense has been solid, allowing only 490 points so far.

Scoring Averages and Breakdown

When it comes to scoring, St. Xavier has been the more consistent team throughout the season. In comparison, SPIRE Academy has struggled with offensive consistency, though they average 54.7 points per game overall. Here’s a breakdown of how each team performs per quarter:

• SPIRE Academy: No specific breakdown for SPIRE, but their overall scoring average stands at 54.7 points.
• St. Xavier:
  • Q1: 13.8 points
  • Q2: 13.0 points
  • Q3: 17.0 points
  • Q4: 11.5 points
  • Total: 56.0 points per game

St. Xavier excels in the third quarter, averaging 17 points, which is a testament to their ability to adjust and capitalize on the opposing team’s weaknesses.

Statistical Comparison

While both teams have their strengths, St. Xavier leads in several key areas:

• Points Per Game: St. Xavier averages 55.9 points per game, slightly outperforming SPIRE Academy at 54.7.
• Rebounds Per Game: SPIRE Academy edges St. Xavier with 26.8 rebounds per game compared to 26.0 for St. Xavier.
• Assists Per Game: SPIRE Academy also leads here with 14.5 assists compared to St. Xavier’s 12.2.
• Steals Per Game: SPIRE Academy has a higher steals average at 6.8, while St. Xavier averages 6.5.
• Blocks Per Game: Both teams show strong defensive presence, but SPIRE Academy slightly outperforms St. Xavier with 2.0 blocks per game.

Team Leaders and Key Players

SPIRE Academy

• Points Per Game: #33 Donovan Waleskowski with 15.3 points
• Rebounds Per Game: #44 Jacob Wassler with 7.7 rebounds
• Assists Per Game: #44 Jacob Wassler with 3.4 assists
• Steals Per Game: #3 Brendan Deeley with 2.0 steals
• Blocks Per Game: #44 Jacob Wassler with 0.4 blocks

St. Xavier

• Points Per Game: Leading scorer with 5.1 points per game (team-based stats)
• Rebounds Per Game: 2.7 rebounds per game
• Assists Per Game: 1.1 assists per game
• Steals Per Game: 0.9 steals per game
• Blocks Per Game: 0.3 blocks per game

SPIRE Academy’s star player is Donovan Waleskowski, who contributes significantly with 15.3 points per game. On the other hand, St. Xavier has more balanced team contributions, with no single player dominating the stat sheet but collectively maintaining a well-rounded performance.

Record Breakdown: SPIRE Academy vs. St. Xavier

• Overall Record: SPIRE Academy is at 3-7, whereas St. Xavier sits comfortably at 10-2.
• Home vs. Away: SPIRE Academy has a stronger home performance, but their away games have been challenging. St. Xavier has proven to be resilient in both home and neutral-site games, with only one loss on the road.
• Non-League Games: SPIRE Academy has had a rough time in non-league games, standing at 3-6, while St. Xavier excels with a 9-1 non-league record.

Conclusion

While SPIRE Academy continues to develop its young players and works on overcoming challenges, St. Xavier stands as a powerhouse in Ohio, with their solid performance across all aspects of the game. SPIRE Academy’s future looks promising, but they will need to improve their consistency, particularly in away games, to become a stronger contender. For St. Xavier, maintaining their winning momentum and refining their offensive and defensive strategies will be key as they head deeper into the season.

In the end, both teams represent the competitive spirit of Ohio high school basketball, and it will be exciting to see how each team progresses as the season unfolds.