The Benedictine varsity basketball team (Richmond, VA) will host a tournament game against The Carmel School (Ruther Glen, VA) on Friday, December 27, at 8:00 PM.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Virginia High School Basketball
Who: The Carmel School vs Benedictine
When: Friday, December 27, 2024
Time: 8:00. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here

Game Preview: The Carmel School vs Benedictine

The 2024-25 high school basketball season in Virginia has showcased competitive talent, with The Carmel School and Benedictine standing out as notable programs. Let’s break down their performances, key statistics, and season highlights.

Team Performance Overview

The Carmel School

• Record: 5-1 overall, 1-0 in league play.
• Win Percentage: .833
• Key Strengths: Dominant at home (3-0) and strong regional play (1.000 win percentage).
• Scoring: Averaging an impressive 77.5 points per game.
• Defense: Allowing 417 points across six games, displaying solid defensive efficiency.

Benedictine

• Record: 4-7 overall, 1-2 in league play.
• Win Percentage: .364
• Key Strengths: Undefeated at home (1-0) and competitive against common opponents (2-0).
• Scoring: Averaging 63.5 points per game, with challenges maintaining consistency in the second half of games.

Statistical Comparisons

Scoring Trends

• The Carmel School maintains a balanced offensive output, with a particularly strong fourth quarter (20 points on average).
• Benedictine, despite matching The Carmel School’s first-quarter performance (15 points), struggles in the third quarter, averaging just 4 points.

Key Metrics

• Points Per Game: The Carmel School (77.3) surpasses Benedictine significantly, highlighting its offensive prowess.
• Rebounds and Assists Per Game: The Carmel School also dominates in rebounds (36.5) and assists (18.3), showcasing a well-rounded team effort.

Team Leaders

The Carmel School’s success is driven by standout performances:

• Nicolo Passalacqua (#20): Leads in points per game (21.7), rebounds per game (14.2), and blocks per game (0.7).
• Edoardo Marra (#11): Key playmaker with 4.0 assists per game and 2.6 steals per game.

Benedictine lacks standout individual statistics but has shown team cohesion in victories against common opponents.

Performance Against Common Opponents

While both teams share several common opponents, Benedictine holds the edge with a 2-0 record against these teams, including significant wins over Rise Academy (87-62) and Veritas Collegiate Academy (67-47). The Carmel School has yet to face common opponents, leaving room for future comparison.

Season Outlook

The Carmel School

With a strong 5-1 start, The Carmel School has established itself as a force in Virginia high school basketball. The team’s depth and leadership from players like Passalacqua and Marra make them formidable contenders for the remainder of the season.

Benedictine

Despite a rocky 4-7 start, Benedictine’s ability to secure big wins against common opponents suggests potential for improvement. Addressing third-quarter scoring woes will be crucial to turning their season around.

Conclusion

The Carmel School has outperformed Benedictine in most metrics this season, but both teams bring unique strengths to the court. As the season progresses, their performances against shared opponents and potential head-to-head matchups will be pivotal in determining their standings in Virginia’s competitive basketball scene.