The Garces Memorial High School varsity water polo team from Bakersfield, CA, will play a home playoff game against Tulare Western High School from Tulare, CA, today at 6:00 p.m. This match is part of the 2024 Girls Water Polo Central Section Championships for Division II.
Tulare Western vs Garces Memorial Water Polo Game Info:
What: California High School Girls Water Polo
Who: Tulare Western vs Garces Memorial
When: Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Time: 6:00 p.m.
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Game preview: Tulare Western vs Garces Memorial
The varsity water polo teams from Tulare Western High School and Garces Memorial High School have been making waves in the 2024-2025 season, with both teams demonstrating impressive performances and rivalry as they approach the playoffs. Here’s a breakdown of each team’s record, recent games, and head-to-head statistics, providing insights into their strengths and weaknesses.
Team Standings and Performance
Tulare Western (24-25)
- National Rank: 73
- California Rank: 49
- Section Rank: 13
- Overall Record: 21-9
- League Record: 10-0 (100%)
- Home Record: 10-1
- Away Record: 8-0
- Neutral Site Record: 3-8
- Goals For (GF): 395
- Goals Against (GA): 210
Tulare Western has dominated in the league with a perfect 10-0 record, securing them a strong position in the playoffs. Their defense and offense are both notable, with 395 goals scored this season and only 210 allowed. Their home record of 10-1 is one of the best in their league, while they’ve also excelled in away games with an undefeated 8-0 record.
Garces Memorial (24-25)
- National Rank: 77
- California Rank: 50
- Section Rank: 14
- Overall Record: 17-13
- League Record: 8-0 (100%)
- Home Record: 9-5
- Away Record: 5-4
- Neutral Site Record: 3-4
- Goals For (GF): 410
- Goals Against (GA): 302
Garces Memorial has also had an impressive season, with an undefeated 8-0 league record and an overall win percentage of 56.7%. While their goal differential is not as strong as Tulare Western’s, Garces Memorial has scored 410 goals, showing their offensive prowess, although they have allowed 302 goals over the season.
Team Scoring Averages by Quarter
The scoring averages per quarter reflect the teams’ strengths in different parts of the game:
- Tulare Western: Q1: 5.8, Q2: 2.3, Q3: 4.3, Q4: 2.3, Final: 13.2 points per game
- Garces Memorial: Q1: 4.0, Q2: 3.6, Q3: 3.1, Q4: 3.4, Final: 13.7 points per game
Both teams show different scoring patterns. Tulare Western comes out strong in the first and third quarters, while Garces Memorial maintains a more consistent performance across all quarters. Garces Memorial has a slight edge in overall scoring, averaging 13.7 points per game compared to Tulare Western’s 13.2.
Head-to-Head and Recent Encounters
The rivalry between Tulare Western and Garces Memorial was on display in their last matchup on October 4, where Garces Memorial emerged victorious in a close game, winning 12-9. This win gave Garces Memorial the upper hand in their head-to-head record, 1-0, for the season.
Looking ahead, these teams are set to face off again in an away playoff game for Tulare Western at Garces Memorial’s home pool. With both teams displaying stellar league performances, this upcoming matchup promises to be a thrilling contest.
Common Opponent Analysis
An analysis of games against common opponents provides further context on each team’s performance:
- Tulare Western: Record of 3-4 against common opponents
- Garces Memorial: Record of 2-5 against common opponents
Despite a more challenging record against common teams, Tulare Western has shown resilience, managing wins against opponents like Edison (12-1) and San Luis Obispo (5-3) in recent games. Garces Memorial also claimed a decisive 18-5 victory over Edison, demonstrating their ability to score heavily in key matches.
Record Breakdown
- Overall Record: Tulare Western (21-9) vs. Garces Memorial (17-13)
- League Record: Both teams are undefeated, Tulare Western (10-0) and Garces Memorial (8-0).
- Home and Away Records: Tulare Western is strong at home (10-1) and undefeated away (8-0), while Garces Memorial has a balanced record (9-5 home, 5-4 away).
- Playoff Record: Both teams are 2-0 in playoffs, indicating they are peaking at the right time.
Final Thoughts and Playoff Preview
With each team showcasing strengths and a desire to advance, the upcoming playoff game between Tulare Western and Garces Memorial is highly anticipated. Tulare Western’s solid defense and strategic scoring in crucial quarters may give them an edge, but Garces Memorial’s well-rounded, consistent scoring across quarters could prove challenging.
This playoff showdown will likely come down to which team can execute their game plan effectively under pressure, making for an exciting rematch in what has become an intense rivalry in the water polo season.
