The Pope John Paul II (Hendersonville, TN) varsity basketball team is set to face Cane Ridge (Nashville, TN) in a neutral non-conference game today at 6:30 p.m.

Matchup Details:

• Teams: Cane Ridge vs. PJPII
• Date: Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025
• Time: 6:30 p.m.
• Live stream: Watch Here
• Live stream: Watch Here
• Event: Class Wars @ MBA

Cane Ridge vs. Pope John Paul II: A Comprehensive Team Comparison for the 2024-2025 Season

As the 2024-2025 basketball season progresses, Cane Ridge and Pope John Paul II have been two dominant forces in Tennessee high school basketball, each making waves with their impressive performances. The teams’ records, statistical averages, and individual performances paint a clear picture of their strengths and challenges. Let’s take a closer look at these two teams and their season stats.

Overall Record and Performance Breakdown

Cane Ridge enters the season with a solid 7-3 overall record, dominating their district with a 1-0 district record and remaining undefeated at home with a 3-0 record. Despite a 3-3 performance in away games, Cane Ridge has maintained a 70% win percentage with a powerful scoring offense of 65.8 points per game. Their defense has also been strong, allowing just 630 points across the season.

On the other hand, Pope John Paul II is having a stellar season with an outstanding 19-2 overall record, only dropping two games, both of which were non-district matchups. Their district record stands at 4-1, and they have been perfect on their home court with a 7-0 record, showcasing their dominance in their home games. Their win percentage of 90.5% and a significantly higher 1,475 points scored demonstrate their offensive potency and consistency throughout the season.

Scoring and Statistical Comparisons

Both teams have shown offensive firepower, though Pope John Paul II leads the way in terms of scoring per game, averaging 70.2 points per game, compared to Cane Ridge’s 65.8 points per game. Looking at team averages in each quarter, Cane Ridge performs strongly in the second half of games, particularly in the third quarter, with 18.2 points scored on average. However, Pope John Paul II remains consistent across all quarters, particularly strong in the first half with 18.0 points per game in the first quarter and 17.0 in the second quarter.

Defensively, the two teams show similar results in some areas. Cane Ridge averages 27.7 rebounds per game, while Pope John Paul II grabs an average of 29.1 rebounds. In terms of assists, both teams are quite balanced with Cane Ridge averaging 13.6 assists per game and Pope John Paul II averaging 13.7. However, Cane Ridge has shown more prowess in steals with an average of 12.0 steals per game, compared to Pope John Paul II’s 8.6 steals per game.

Team Leaders

Each team has standout players who significantly contribute to their respective team’s success. Cane Ridge’s Jaiden Pugh leads the team in scoring with 16.2 points per game, and Adam Clark provides a strong presence on the boards, averaging 5.8 rebounds per game. Avyion McCleton has been instrumental in distributing the ball with an average of 4.8 assists per game and also leads the team in steals, averaging 3.8 steals per game.

Pope John Paul II’s Kamden Days has been a force, leading the team with an impressive 18.0 points per game and 8.0 rebounds per game, both of which stand out in comparison to his peers. Trey Pearson is another key player, contributing 5.4 assists per game and 2.5 steals per game, playing a crucial role in both the offense and defense for Pope John Paul II.

Common Opponents

Both teams faced off against some of the same opponents throughout the season, and the results are telling. Cane Ridge has secured victories against Ravenwood, Independence, and LEAD Academy, with notable wins like their 73-68 victory over Ravenwood and 66-62 win over Independence. Pope John Paul II, on the other hand, also defeated Ravenwood, Independence, and LEAD Academy, but with even more commanding wins, including their 72-43 win over Ravenwood and 74-49 victory over Independence. Pope John Paul II’s ability to dominate opponents with larger margins has been a key indicator of their strength this season.

Record Breakdown

• Cane Ridge:
  • 7-3 overall, with a strong district performance of 1-0 and solid home and away records.
  • Key wins against common opponents like Ravenwood and Independence.
  • Scoring strong but slightly less efficient than Pope John Paul II.
• Pope John Paul II:
  • 19-2 overall, showcasing their high level of consistency.
  • Perfect 7-0 home record and a strong 8-0 neutral record.
  • Consistently dominates common opponents with decisive victories.

Conclusion

The season is shaping up to be a thrilling one for both Cane Ridge and Pope John Paul II. Cane Ridge has shown they can compete with top teams, maintaining a strong record and showcasing impressive defensive capabilities. Meanwhile, Pope John Paul II has proved to be one of the most dominant teams in the state, both offensively and defensively, with a record that speaks for itself. As the season continues, it will be exciting to see how both teams evolve, but at this point, Pope John Paul II seems to have the edge in terms of overall performance and consistency.