The St. Mary (Dell Rapids, SD) varsity basketball team will play a neutral non-conference game against Parkston (SD) today at 5:30 PM.

Game Details:

• Teams: Parkston vs. St. Mary
• Date: Saturday, January 25, 2025
• Time: 5:30 PM
• Live stream: Watch Here
• Live stream: Watch Here
• Event: 43rd Annual Hanson Classic
• Location: Corn Palace

Parkston and St. Mary: A Comparative Look at Two High-Performing Teams

The 2024-2025 high school basketball season has seen two teams stand out in the state of South Dakota—Parkston and St. Mary. Both have posted impressive records, showcasing not just talent but consistency across various game situations. Let’s break down the key statistics and compare how these teams have fared in the season so far.

Parkston (24-25 Season Overview)

• Overall Record: 10-1
• Region Record: 1-0
• Home Record: 5-0
• Away Record: 4-0
• Neutral Record: 1-1
• Winning Percentage: .909
• Region Winning Percentage: 1.000
• Points For (PF): 627
• Points Against (PA): 456

Parkston has been highly effective on both ends of the court, averaging a solid 57 points per game. Their strong defense has only allowed an average of 45.6 points per game, helping them build their impressive win percentage. The team is undefeated in region games and has dominated home and away matchups alike, posting an unblemished 5-0 record on their home court and a perfect 4-0 record on the road.

St. Mary (24-25 Season Overview)

• Overall Record: 10-1
• Region Record: 2-0
• Home Record: 5-1
• Away Record: 3-0
• Neutral Record: 2-0
• Winning Percentage: .909
• Region Winning Percentage: 1.000
• Points For (PF): 747
• Points Against (PA): 551

St. Mary, with an equally strong overall record of 10-1, has excelled with a high-scoring offense, averaging a remarkable 67.9 points per game. Their defense, while not as stingy as Parkston’s, has been solid, giving up 55.1 points per game. St. Mary is also undefeated in region games, with a 2-0 record, and has performed well in neutral-site contests, remaining perfect in those matchups.

Team Scoring Averages and Offensive Power

Looking at the team scoring breakdown, Parkston has been steady in terms of scoring throughout the game. They have put up an average of 8 points in the first quarter, followed by 12 in the second, 15 in the third, and 14 in the fourth, for an overall average of 57 points per game.

St. Mary, on the other hand, has been more dynamic on the offensive end. They average 14 points in the first quarter, 11 in the second, 18 in the third, and 13 in the fourth. This allows them to finish the game with a significantly higher scoring output—an impressive 67.9 points per game.

Common Opponents and Head-to-Head Performance

Both teams have faced common opponents this season, but only St. Mary has a confirmed head-to-head matchup with one of these teams. In a December 2024 game, St. Mary triumphed over Howard with a 62-48 victory, showing their dominance in this particular matchup. Parkston will face Howard in February 2025, but as of now, there is no direct comparison between the two teams against this opponent.

Record Breakdown by Category

The detailed breakdown of records reveals the following:

• Head-to-Head: Neither team has faced off against each other yet, leaving the opportunity for an exciting matchup down the road.
• Home and Away Records: Parkston has been perfect at home and on the road, while St. Mary’s sole loss came at home. Both teams have strong away records, though Parkston has the edge with a perfect 5-0 record at home and 4-0 on the road.
• Neutral Site: St. Mary has yet to lose a neutral-site game, boasting a 2-0 record, whereas Parkston has a 1-1 record on neutral courts.

Conclusion

Both Parkston and St. Mary have shown themselves to be elite teams in South Dakota, with identical overall records, undefeated region records, and impressive offensive and defensive metrics. While Parkston has shown a slightly more consistent defense, St. Mary’s offense stands out as a high-scoring force. Their future encounters will be exciting to watch, especially with both teams heading into the latter part of the season with high expectations.