The ‘Iolani (Honolulu, HI) varsity basketball team will play a neutral tournament game against Utah Prep (Hurricane, UT) today at 11:30 AM.

Here’s what you need to Basketball know:

What: Prep Schools High School Basketball
Who: Utah Prep vs. ‘Iolani
When: Friday, December 20, 2024
Time: 11:30. a.m. ET

Event: Part of the “‘Iolani Classic – ‘Iolani Classic” tournament.
Live stream: Watch Here

Comparing Utah Prep and ‘Iolani: A Breakdown of 2024-2025 Basketball Performance

As high school basketball teams gear up for their 2024-2025 seasons, two standout programs—Utah Prep and ‘Iolani—have been showcasing impressive results on the court. Here’s a detailed comparison of their performance across several key metrics, giving fans and analysts a deeper insight into how these teams stack up.

Overall Performance

Both teams have posted strong records this season. Utah Prep boasts a 10-4 overall record, with a dominant 4-1 record in their region. Their balanced performances at home, away, and neutral sites highlight their adaptability and consistency. The team has managed to put up 1,163 points while allowing 900, which leads to an impressive 71.4% win rate.

‘Iolani, hailing from Hawaii, has an overall record of 7-3. Their performance has been particularly strong on neutral courts, where they remain undefeated at 2-0. The team has managed to score 546 points while allowing 451, resulting in a 70% win rate.

Team Scoring Averages

When it comes to scoring, Utah Prep has an average of 83.1 points per game, which is significantly higher than ‘Iolani’s average of 54.6 points per game. This shows that Utah Prep excels in offense, likely due to their aggressive playing style and depth of scoring options.

Team Stat Comparison

In terms of team statistics, Utah Prep outshines ‘Iolani in most key areas:

• Points per game: Utah Prep scores 11 more points per game than ‘Iolani, which is a significant gap.
• Rebounds per game: Utah Prep grabs an average of 5.2 rebounds per game, suggesting they are more aggressive on the boards.
• Assists per game: The team also averages 2.7 assists, indicating a better team-oriented offense.
• Steals and Blocks: Utah Prep’s defense appears to be superior in these areas as well, averaging 1 steal and 0.5 blocks per game.

Team Leaders

Both teams have standout players making significant contributions:

• Utah Prep: Jaden Vance leads the team with an impressive 20.0 points per game, showcasing his ability to carry the scoring load. AJ Dybantsa Jr. stands out on the boards with 14.0 rebounds per game, while JJ Mandaquit Jr. leads in assists with 11.0 per game. Jackson Rasmussen also contributes defensively, averaging 3.0 steals per game, and Anthony Felesi excels as a shot blocker with 1.5 blocks per game.
• ‘Iolani: While individual stats are less prominent, ‘Iolani’s team performance still shines. Players are contributing to their overall effort, but their statistics indicate a more collective style of play.

Record Breakdown

The record breakdown of both teams gives additional insights into their respective schedules:

• Utah Prep: With a 9-4 record on neutral courts and an impressive 4-1 league performance, Utah Prep has demonstrated their ability to compete in high-stakes environments. Their 6-3 non-league record also indicates they are battle-tested and well-prepared for out-of-region competition.
• ‘Iolani: Though they have a slightly lower overall record at 7-3, ‘Iolani has posted a strong 5-3 record in non-league games, showing they can perform well against opponents outside of their region. Their 3-2 home record indicates a competitive edge on their home turf.

Head-to-Head & Common Opponents

While Utah Prep and ‘Iolani have not yet faced off this season, their records against common opponents, head-to-head matchups, and playoff experiences will be crucial moving forward. Both teams have solid in-state and out-of-state records, which will provide a good benchmark for their performance in postseason play.

Conclusion

Utah Prep has been the more dominant team in terms of overall scoring, rebounding, and team statistics. Their high offensive output and strong defensive metrics set them apart as one of the top teams this season. However, ‘Iolani’s impressive resilience and balanced play make them a team to watch as they head into the latter part of the season. Both teams have the potential to make deep runs in the playoffs, but Utah Prep currently appears to have the edge, especially with their robust offensive firepower.

As these teams continue their seasons, it will be interesting to see how they adjust and prepare for potential matchups against each other, as well as how their respective strengths play out in high-pressure situations.