The Swansboro (NC) varsity basketball team will be playing a home conference game against Richlands (NC) today at 5:30 PM.

Here’s what you need Basketball to know:

What: North Carolina High School Basketball
Who: Swansboro vs Richlands
When: Friday, January 10, 2025
Time: 5:30. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch Here

Basketball Showdown: Richlands vs. Swansboro – A Tale of Two Teams

The highly anticipated basketball matchup between Richlands (4-9) and Swansboro (11-0) is set to take place in just a few hours, offering fans an exciting game between two teams with contrasting records and styles. The game will be held at Swansboro today at 5:30 p.m., and will offer a preview of what promises to be a thrilling rivalry throughout the season.

A Strong Start for Swansboro

Swansboro has been nothing short of dominant this season, remaining undefeated with a perfect 11-0 record. Their impressive performance has seen them win every game, including some notable victories over top-tier opponents. The team has an average scoring output of 72.7 points per game, with a strong balance across the court. Swansboro’s offense has been consistent across the board, with multiple players contributing to their success.

Key players like Tayvion Tangiora, who averages 19.7 points per game, lead the team offensively, while Jermaine Cunningham contributes significantly in rebounds (8.5 per game) and assists (4.9 per game). This balanced approach, coupled with their defensive prowess, has made them a force to be reckoned with.

Richlands Struggling for Consistency

In contrast, Richlands has faced a difficult season thus far, posting a 4-9 record. While their scoring averages are lower at 48.5 points per game, Richlands has been competitive in many matchups. The team has struggled particularly on the road, where they have only managed a 1-4 record. However, they have shown glimpses of brilliance, especially in tight games, like their win against Dixon on December 30 (56-42).

Lenny Halfter-Hunter, the team’s standout player, averages 17.3 points per game and leads Richlands in rebounds with 9.1 per game. Despite a challenging season, he remains a key player who could turn the tide for his team. However, Richlands has often struggled in closing out games, which is reflected in their lower points per game compared to Swansboro.

Head-to-Head Matchups: A Snapshot of the Rivalry

Both teams have faced a shared set of opponents, but the results have been drastically different. Swansboro has managed to defeat every team they’ve faced, including victories over Southwest Onslow, Northside-Jacksonville, and Jacksonville. In contrast, Richlands has struggled in these matchups, going 1-5 against the same set of opponents.

Notably, Swansboro’s ability to dominate in all areas of the game, from scoring to defense, has been evident in their impressive win streak. Meanwhile, Richlands has had to fight hard to stay in the mix, relying heavily on individual performances and strong efforts from Halfter-Hunter.

Team Statistics Breakdown

When it comes to key team stats, the difference in playstyle is glaring. Swansboro excels in scoring with an average of 73.2 points per game compared to Richlands’ 45.7 points per game. Swansboro also leads in assists, with 15.1 assists per game compared to Richlands’ 6.2. Richlands, however, has shown resilience with strong individual efforts, particularly from their leader Halfter-Hunter.

Defensively, Swansboro’s consistency is notable with 12.1 steals and 4.8 blocks per game, while Richlands averages 5.4 steals and 1.6 blocks per game.

Looking Ahead

With Richlands facing an uphill battle against an undefeated Swansboro team, the game today will serve as a crucial test. Can Richlands upset the undefeated streak, or will Swansboro continue its dominant run? Fans are in for a thrilling matchup.

The teams will meet again in a return game at Richlands on January 29, so the rivalry will continue to heat up over the coming weeks. Until then, this first matchup is sure to set the tone for an exciting season in North Carolina high school basketball.

Stay tuned as these two teams battle for supremacy in the NC Class rankings!