The Webster (SD) varsity basketball team will host Hamlin (Hayti, SD) in a non-conference game today at 8:00 PM.

Matchup Details:

• Teams: Hamlin vs. Webster
• Date: Thursday, January 16, 2025
• Time: 8:00 PM
• Live stream: Watch Here
• Live stream: Watch Here
• Location: Webster High School (SD)

Hamlin vs. Webster: A Mid-Season Comparison of the 2024-2025 High School Basketball Season

The high school basketball season is well underway for both Hamlin and Webster, two teams from South Dakota who are showing distinct differences in their performance as the 2024-2025 season progresses. Both teams have their strengths and challenges, and here’s a closer look at how they stack up so far this season.

Hamlin’s Impressive Start

Hamlin High School (24-25) has had an impressive start to their basketball campaign, standing with a 6-2 overall record. The team has dominated both home and away games, with an unbeaten 3-0 record at home and a solid 2-1 record on the road. They are currently undefeated in their region with a perfect 1-0 record, a promising statistic as they move into the latter half of the season.

The team’s scoring is another standout factor, averaging a healthy 65.3 points per game. They’re particularly strong in the third quarter, where they average a significant 23 points, showing their ability to surge ahead after halftime. Hamlin has shown resilience, with consistent scoring across all four quarters—9.0 points in the first, 10.0 in the second, 23.0 in the third, and 11.0 in the final quarter.

Their overall win percentage of 75% further showcases their strong performance, both regionally and non-regionally. In their matchups against common opponents, Hamlin has been undefeated, winning both their games, with convincing victories over Groton and Tiospa Zina.

Webster’s Struggles

In stark contrast, Webster (24-25) has struggled this season, holding a 2-7 overall record. The team has yet to find success in their region, with a 0-3 record, and they have only managed to secure one win in their five away games. At home, they’ve found some comfort with a 1-5 record, but this still leaves them with significant room for improvement.

Webster’s scoring has been a major hurdle this season, with the team averaging just 48 points per game. They’ve been unable to match the offensive production of teams like Hamlin, which has hurt their chances of securing more victories. Notably, Webster has faced several tough losses against teams such as Groton, Deuel, and Britton-Hecla—some of whom are also common opponents with Hamlin. Webster holds a 1-5 record against these common opponents, which highlights the challenges they’ve faced this season.

Breakdown of Common Opponents

Both teams have faced off against some of the same opponents, with differing results. Hamlin has gone 2-0 against common foes, dominating teams like Groton and Tiospa Zina, while Webster has struggled with a 1-5 record in similar matchups. This stark contrast further emphasizes the different trajectories these teams are on this season.

• December 13, 2024: Hamlin secured a dominant 69-41 win over Groton, while Webster lost 76-46 to the same team on December 30, 2024.
• January 9, 2025: Hamlin delivered an 84-26 victory over Tiospa Zina, while Webster earned a 78-38 win against the same team just two days earlier on January 7, 2025.

These head-to-head matchups indicate that Hamlin is not only performing well against the competition but also outperforming Webster when facing shared rivals.

Record Breakdown

Hamlin (24-25) Record:

• Overall: 6-2
• League: 1-0
• Non-League: 5-2
• Home: 3-0
• Away: 2-1
• Neutral: 1-1
• In-State: 6-1
• Out-of-State: 0-0

Webster (24-25) Record:

• Overall: 2-7
• League: 0-3
• Non-League: 2-4
• Home: 1-5
• Away: 1-2
• Neutral: 0-0
• In-State: 2-7
• Out-of-State: 0-0

The record breakdown highlights Hamlin’s superiority across all categories, particularly in their in-state record (6-1) and their undefeated region record (1-0). Webster, on the other hand, has struggled in nearly every category, with their lone win coming at home and a rough road record of 1-2.

Looking Ahead

As the season continues, Hamlin is in a strong position to finish the year with a playoff berth, given their strong start and consistent performance. On the other hand, Webster faces an uphill battle, needing to improve their scoring and find ways to compete more effectively in both home and away games.

Both teams have a number of games left to play, and while Hamlin’s momentum looks promising, Webster will need to regroup and develop a stronger offense to turn their season around.

Ultimately, the contrast between these two teams highlights the unpredictability of high school basketball and the importance of consistent performance on both ends of the court. For Hamlin, it’s a season of success so far, while Webster must find ways to rebound and show resilience in their upcoming games.