The Waccamaw Varsity Basketball Team (Pawley’s Island, SC) will host St. James (Murrells Inlet, SC) for a non-conference matchup today at 7:30 PM.

Here’s what you need to know Basketball:

What: South Carolina High School Basketball
Who: Waccamaw vs St. James
When: Friday, December 13, 2024
Time: 7:30. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch Here

St. James vs. Waccamaw: A Season Overview

As the high school basketball season unfolds, teams from across South Carolina are jockeying for position in their respective conferences. Among these, St. James (Murrells Inlet, SC) and Waccamaw (Pawley’s Island, SC) have been catching attention for their contrasting starts to the 2024-2025 season. Let’s break down the performance of both teams and look at their matchups, including their recent contest on December 6.

St. James: Dominant Start to the Season

St. James has been firing on all cylinders to begin the 2024-2025 season. With an overall record of 4-1, they are proving to be a tough opponent both at home and on the road. The Sharks are particularly strong at home, with a 3-1 record. Their lone road loss came earlier in the season, but they have shown resilience, bouncing back with a solid 1-0 mark away from home.

Offensively, St. James has been a high-scoring machine, averaging a strong 60.2 points per game (PPG). Their scoring is spread out efficiently across the game, with a team-high 52 points in the first quarter alone. Their defense has been formidable too, allowing an average of just 53.4 points per game, which highlights their balanced approach to both offense and defense.

Waccamaw: Struggling to Find Consistency

In contrast, Waccamaw has faced a more challenging start to the season. Their overall record sits at 2-4, with a winless record of 0-3 in away games. The Warriors have shown promise at home, where they are 2-0, but have struggled to translate that success on the road, where they are winless in three attempts. This lack of consistency has led to frustrations, especially in non-conference games.

Offensively, Waccamaw is averaging just 54.8 points per game, which is significantly lower than St. James’ output. Their scoring has fluctuated, with stronger performances in the second and third quarters, averaging 14.0 and 17.0 points, respectively. However, they have struggled to maintain that pace in the fourth quarter, scoring only 10.0 PPG. Defensively, they have allowed 57.0 points per game on average, making it difficult to overcome strong opponents.

December 6 Showdown: St. James Takes the Win

On December 6, 2024, St. James hosted Waccamaw in a highly anticipated non-conference matchup. St. James proved to be too much for the Warriors, cruising to a 72-54 victory. Despite Waccamaw’s best efforts, the Sharks capitalized on their offensive firepower and solid defense. The game was a statement win for St. James, further cementing their place as a team to watch this season.

Key Players

Several standout players have emerged for both teams:

• St. James: Sutton Cooper leads the Sharks with 14.2 points per game, showing his offensive prowess. Connor Hart has been an all-around player, contributing 6.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.2 steals per game. Aiden Fleming also stands out defensively, averaging 1.2 blocks per game.
• Waccamaw: The Warriors are led by junior guard, who is averaging 5.4 points per game. Connor Hart’s all-around impact is also noticeable for Waccamaw, with him contributing 2.9 rebounds and 1.0 steal per game.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced some of the same opponents, and the record comparison provides an interesting look at how they’ve performed against shared teams:

• St. James vs. Georgetown: St. James won a close matchup 59-55, whereas Waccamaw struggled, losing to Georgetown by a margin of 68-55.
• St. James vs. Mullins: The Sharks faced Mullins and lost 60-52, while Waccamaw had a similar fate, falling to Mullins 68-55 earlier in the season.
• St. James vs. Socastee: St. James and Waccamaw will face Socastee later in the season, but both teams have had difficulty in matchups against them.

Outlook for the Rest of the Season

Looking ahead, St. James has the edge in both home and away games, with a strong offense and steady defense. Their record suggests they will remain a top contender in their conference, and their depth will be key as they face tougher opponents.

On the other hand, Waccamaw will need to find consistency to turn around their season. Their struggles in away games and inconsistency on offense need to be addressed if they hope to improve. A focus on defense and finding ways to close out games stronger could be the key to turning things around.

Conclusion

While St. James has been impressive this season, Waccamaw is a team with potential that needs to find its rhythm. Both teams will be looking to build on their experiences as the season progresses, but for now, St. James appears to be the stronger squad heading into their upcoming games. Fans of both teams will be eagerly watching as the Sharks and Warriors continue their respective journeys through the season.