The New Kent (VA) varsity basketball team will host Thomas Jefferson (Richmond, VA) for a non-conference game on Friday, December 27, at 7:15 p.m.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Virginia High School Basketball
Who: Thomas Jefferson vs New Kent
When: Friday, December 27, 2024
Time: 7:15. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here

Game Preview: Thomas Jefferson vs New Kent

As the Virginia high school basketball season progresses, two teams, Thomas Jefferson and New Kent, have been making headlines for their performances on the court. Let’s dive into the current rankings, team stats, and the key players from both schools, offering an insightful look at their seasons so far.

Team Overview: Thomas Jefferson vs. New Kent

Thomas Jefferson (24-25)

• Record: 2-4 overall, 0-2 in-region
• Points For (PF): 375
• Points Against (PA): 422
• Win Percentage: .333 (Overall), .000 (Region)
• Top Performers:
  • Kyle Diggs: 18.1 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 4.9 APG
  • Will Ross: 4.0 SPG
  • Kris Leeper: 0.6 BPG

While Thomas Jefferson has had some struggles this season, the team has managed to average 62.5 points per game. However, they have yet to find their rhythm in regional play, where they are winless so far.

New Kent (24-25)

• Record: 7-0 overall, 5-0 in-region
• Points For (PF): 543
• Points Against (PA): 360
• Win Percentage: 1.000 (Overall and Region)
• Top Performers:
  • Kyle Diggs: 18.1 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 4.9 APG
  • Will Ross: 4.0 SPG
  • Kris Leeper: 0.6 BPG

On the other hand, New Kent has been a dominant force, winning all of their games so far. Their offensive output has been impressive, with an average of 77.6 points per game, significantly outpacing their opponents.

Scoring & Statistics Breakdown

Scoring Averages

• Thomas Jefferson:
  • Q1: 21.0
  • Q2: 16.0
  • Q3: 24.0
  • Q4: 17.0
  • Final: 62.5 PPG
• New Kent:
  • Q1: 28.5
  • Q2: 9.0
  • Q3: 8.5
  • Q4: 15.0
  • OT1: 8.0
  • Final: 77.6 PPG

Thomas Jefferson’s scoring is quite balanced across the four quarters, but they tend to fade in the second half, contributing to their overall struggles. In contrast, New Kent starts strong with an average of 28.5 points in the first quarter but maintains a solid scoring rate throughout the game, which has helped them maintain their undefeated record.

Team Stat Comparison

• Rebounds:
  • Thomas Jefferson: 32.4 RPG
  • New Kent: 19.6 RPG
• Assists:
  • Thomas Jefferson: 19.6 APG
  • New Kent: 16.6 APG
• Steals:
  • Thomas Jefferson: 16.6 SPG
  • New Kent: 16.6 SPG
• Blocks:
  • Thomas Jefferson: 1.9 BPG
  • New Kent: 1.9 BPG

Both teams perform similarly in key categories like steals and blocks, but Thomas Jefferson outperforms New Kent in rebounds and assists, which shows their potential in a more well-rounded game.

Key Players: Thomas Jefferson vs. New Kent

While Thomas Jefferson has some strong individual performances, particularly from Kyle Diggs, New Kent has found success as a collective unit, with impressive team stats to back up their undefeated record.

• Kyle Diggs of Thomas Jefferson stands out as one of the best players, leading his team in points, rebounds, and assists. His all-around game has been the backbone of the team’s efforts.
• Will Ross also deserves recognition for his defensive efforts, leading the team in steals.

In comparison, New Kent has been a model of consistency, with Kyle Diggs again putting up impressive numbers, matching his stats at Thomas Jefferson. Along with Will Ross’ strong defensive presence, New Kent continues to build on its dominant run this season.

Record Breakdown

Thomas Jefferson has struggled with both their league (0-2) and non-league (1-2) games. They have also faced challenges when playing away, with a 1-4 record, while showing more promise in neutral games with a 1-0 record. They have yet to make a mark in regional play with a 0-2 record.

New Kent, on the other hand, is perfect both at home and away, holding a 4-0 record at home and a 3-0 record on the road. Their regional play is flawless, maintaining a 5-0 record in the region.

Conclusion

As the season progresses, Thomas Jefferson and New Kent stand at very different points. While New Kent is off to a spectacular undefeated start, Thomas Jefferson faces challenges in securing wins, particularly in regional competition. However, with standout players like Kyle Diggs and Will Ross, Thomas Jefferson still has the potential to make a comeback, especially if they can adjust their game plan and improve in the second half.

With New Kent’s dominant playstyle and perfect record, they look like a team to watch out for in the remainder of the season, while Thomas Jefferson will need to rally for a strong finish to their campaign.