The Classical High School (Providence, RI) varsity basketball team will host North Kingstown (RI) for a home conference game on Friday, January 31, 2025, at 6 PM.
Matchup Information
Game: North Kingstown vs. Classical Basketball
Date: Friday, January 31, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Classical High School, Providence, RI
- Live stream: Watch Here
- Live stream: Watch Here
Classical vs. North Kingstown: A Tale of Two Seasons
As the Rhode Island high school basketball season heats up, two teams, Classical and North Kingstown, find themselves on different trajectories. With Classical (9-5, 9-3 league) sitting near the top of the standings and North Kingstown (6-10, 6-10 league) struggling to find consistency, their upcoming rematch on January 31st promises to be an intriguing battle.
Season Snapshot: Standings & Performance
Classical – A Contender in Division 2
- Record: 9-5 (9-3 league)
- Win Percentage: .643
- Home/Away Split: 3-3 at home, 6-2 on the road
- Points Scored (PF): 847
- Points Allowed (PA): 722
Classical has been one of the stronger teams in Division 2, boasting an impressive 9-3 league record and an ability to win tough road games (6-2 away). Their defense has been a key factor, allowing only 722 points, a significant contrast to North Kingstown’s 1,091 points allowed.
North Kingstown – Struggling to Find Consistency
- Record: 6-10 (6-10 league)
- Win Percentage: .375
- Home/Away Split: 4-5 at home, 2-5 on the road
- Points Scored (PF): 995
- Points Allowed (PA): 1,091
While North Kingstown has put up decent offensive numbers (995 points scored), their defense has been a major weakness, allowing over 1,091 points. Their home court has not been the advantage they hoped for (4-5 home record), and they have struggled significantly on the road (2-5).
Previous Matchup: Classical 74, North Kingstown 57
On January 3rd, Classical delivered a commanding 74-57 victory over North Kingstown. The game was competitive early, with North Kingstown leading after the first quarter (22-16) and staying close at halftime (36-29). However, the second half was all Classical, outscoring North Kingstown 45-21 in the final two quarters.
Key Takeaways from the First Meeting
- Classical’s Second-Half Surge: They outscored North Kingstown 45-21 after halftime.
- North Kingstown’s Offensive Struggles: After scoring 22 points in Q1, they only managed 21 total points in the second half.
- Classical’s Depth: They had balanced scoring, and their defense shut down North Kingstown late.
Statistical Comparison: Who Has the Edge?
| Category | North Kingstown | Classical |
|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 62.5 | 60.4 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 28.2 | N/A |
| Assists Per Game | 15.1 | N/A |
| Steals Per Game | 4.5 | N/A |
| Blocks Per Game | 2.2 | N/A |
North Kingstown has a slight edge in scoring (62.5 PPG vs. 60.4 PPG), but Classical’s defense has been more reliable. Without full team rebounding and defensive stats for Classical, their true advantage may be underestimated.
Key Players to Watch
North Kingstown
- #3 Michael Deorsey (17.5 PPG, 1.3 SPG) – Their primary scorer, but he’ll need help to crack Classical’s defense.
- #5 Jake Perry (5.7 RPG, 0.9 BPG) – A force on the boards and defensively.
- #1 Landon Bodington (4.9 APG) – The team’s playmaker, looking to create opportunities.
Classical
- #24 Eliezer Delbrey (20.2 PPG, 5.0 RPG) – One of the top scorers in the league, he led Classical to victory last time.
- Defensive Strength – While individual stats are unavailable, their defensive performance speaks for itself.
Common Opponents: Who Performed Better?
| Opponent | North Kingstown Record | Classical Record |
|---|---|---|
| Tolman | 1-0 | TBD |
| La Salle Academy | 0-2 | 0-2 |
| East Providence | 0-1 | 1-0 |
| Smithfield | 2-0 | 1-0 |
| Lincoln | 0-2 | 1-0 |
| Portsmouth | 1-0 | 1-0 |
| Mt. Pleasant | 0-1 | 1-0 |
| Bishop Hendricken | 0-1 | 1-1 |
| Central | 0-2 | TBD |
| Barrington | TBD | 1-0 |
| Cranston East | TBD | 1-0 |
Classical has performed significantly better against common opponents (8-3) compared to North Kingstown (5-8). This suggests that Classical is the more consistent and well-rounded team.
What to Expect in the Rematch
Keys for North Kingstown
- Better Second-Half Execution – They collapsed in the second half last time; they must stay composed.
- Improved Defense – Allowing 74 points won’t get them a win.
- Big Game from Deorsey – Their leading scorer needs to carry the offense again.
Keys for Classical
- Keep the Defensive Pressure – Shutting down North Kingstown in the second half was key in the first meeting.
- Let Delbrey Dominate – He’s averaging 20.2 PPG and could be the difference-maker.
- Win the Rebounding Battle – Even without official stats, controlling the boards is crucial.
Prediction: Classical Favored to Sweep
While North Kingstown has a chance to redeem themselves, Classical’s stronger defense and superior consistency give them the edge. Expect a closer game than their first meeting, but Classical should pull away late.
