As the 2024-2025 Washington high school basketball season continues to unfold, two teams from the South Puget Sound League—Steilacoom and River Ridge—have been showing varying levels of performance on the court. Both teams have had an exciting start to the season, and their statistics paint a picture of what’s to come as they battle for playoff contention.

Team Records and Performance

The Steilacoom Sentinels and River Ridge Hawks have had a mixed bag of results thus far, with both teams navigating through their respective challenges.

• Steilacoom currently sits at a 3-4 overall record, with a 2-2 district record. Despite showing resilience in their district games, they have struggled on the road with a 2-3 away record. Their overall win percentage stands at .429, with a district win percentage of .500. Steilacoom has scored a total of 373 points and allowed 427.
• River Ridge, on the other hand, has had a slightly more balanced season with a 4-4 overall record, but their district performance has been less than stellar with a 2-4 district record. The Hawks have been dominant on their home court, holding a perfect 3-0 home record, though they have faced challenges on the road, going 1-4 away. River Ridge has accumulated 541 points while allowing 519.

Scoring Averages

When comparing the teams’ offensive outputs, River Ridge has the edge in overall scoring.

• Steilacoom’s average is 53.3 points per game, with their highest scoring quarter being the third, averaging 21 points. The Sentinels also see a consistent flow of offense in the first (15 points) and fourth (19 points) quarters.
• River Ridge’s average is considerably higher, at 67.6 points per game. Their second quarter is the most productive, with an average of 19.8 points, and they maintain solid scoring across all periods, including 20.3 points in the third and 19.3 points in the fourth.

Team Stat Comparison

The two teams differ significantly in various key statistics:

• Rebounds per game: Steilacoom pulls down 33.0 rebounds per game, slightly edging out River Ridge at 32.0.
• Assists per game: Steilacoom’s total of 16.6 assists per game outpaces River Ridge’s 13.6 assists per game, suggesting better ball movement and teamwork.
• Steals per game: Steilacoom’s defense is led by Ethan Thomas, who averages 2.2 steals per game, compared to River Ridge’s 1.5 steals per game.
• Blocks per game: Both teams feature strong interior defense, with Steilacoom’s Dominique Harper averaging 2.8 blocks per game, while River Ridge’s defense has shown fewer shot-blocking efforts at 0.3 per game.

Key Players to Watch

Each team has standout performers who can be game-changers:

• Steilacoom’s key players include:
  • Ryzen Nunez, who leads the team with 15.8 points per game.
  • Dominique Harper, who contributes 8.7 rebounds per game and 2.8 blocks per game, making her a presence in the paint.
  • Jacob Wendell, the team’s playmaker, averaging 7.2 assists per game.
• River Ridge’s standout players include:
  • Jaden Walker, who leads with 15.2 points per game and has been crucial in securing wins for the Hawks.
  • Reagan Davis, the top rebounder for River Ridge, pulling in 7.6 rebounds per game.

Common Opponents

The two teams have faced off against several common opponents, with different outcomes:

• Steilacoom’s results against Clover Park (L 75-63) and Lakes (L 76-31) have been tough, with the Sentinels coming up short in these matchups.
• River Ridge’s results against the same teams have been more favorable. They defeated Clover Park 79-46 and Lakes 77-70, showcasing their ability to perform against top competition.

Looking Ahead

Both Steilacoom and River Ridge have the potential to turn their seasons around as they move further into league play. With a competitive district race, each game will be critical to their playoff aspirations. River Ridge will need to improve its district record if it hopes to secure a top playoff spot, while Steilacoom will be looking to capitalize on their home court and solidify their spot in the postseason.

As we approach the latter half of the season, these two teams will be crucial to watch. Steilacoom’s strong defensive plays, led by Harper and Thomas, combined with River Ridge’s efficient scoring and home dominance, promise an exciting remainder of the season for both teams.