The West Warwick (RI) varsity basketball team will host South Kingstown (Wakefield, RI) for a home conference game today at 5 p.m.

Game Details:

South Kingstown vs. West Warwick Basketball
Saturday, February 8, 2025
5:00 p.m.

• Live stream: Watch Here
• Live stream: Watch Here

A Battle of Strong Contenders: South Kingstown vs. West Warwick

As the Rhode Island high school basketball season heats up, two powerhouse teams, South Kingstown and West Warwick, are making waves in their respective divisions. With near-identical records and impressive performances, both teams are battling for supremacy in the state. Let’s take a closer look at their standings, key players, and how they stack up against each other.

Record Breakdown: South Kingstown vs. West Warwick

Both South Kingstown and West Warwick have posted identical overall records of 15-4, showcasing their consistent excellence throughout the season. In league play, South Kingstown holds a slight edge with a 12-3 record compared to West Warwick’s 10-3. The home-court advantage has played a pivotal role for both teams, with South Kingstown boasting an 8-1 record at home and West Warwick excelling with a 10-2 record.

The stats are remarkably close across the board, but a deeper look into their performances shows subtle differences that could be the key to determining the outcome of their matchups. Both teams have a similar win percentage of .789, but West Warwick holds a slight edge in points scored, averaging 66.7 points per game compared to South Kingstown’s 65.4. Defensively, both teams allow just over 1,000 points across the season, with South Kingstown at 1,051 and West Warwick at 1,065, making it clear that these squads can both put up points and prevent their opponents from doing the same.

Key Players: Leaders of the Pack

Both teams rely heavily on standout players to drive their performances. For South Kingstown, James Wilson is the go-to scorer, averaging 22.2 points per game—a mark that puts him among the state’s top scorers. Other key contributors include Griffin Sward, who pulls down an impressive 5.5 rebounds per game, and Jordan Chaloux, who dishes out 3.6 assists and averages 2.4 steals.

West Warwick counters with its own stars, led by Owen Stearns, who averages 19.8 points per game and has been a dominant force offensively. Colin Kelly is a key rebounder for West Warwick, posting 7.4 rebounds per game, while Gregory Benton leads the team in assists with 3.2 per game. Defensively, Stearns also excels, averaging 1.7 steals per game, while Kelly provides rim protection with 1.7 blocks per game.

Scoring and Team Stats Comparison

When it comes to scoring, West Warwick edges out South Kingstown by a small margin, with an average of 66.7 points per game compared to 65.4. Both teams have been able to consistently put up solid numbers, especially in the first three quarters of games. West Warwick scores an average of 22.5 points in each of the first three quarters, while South Kingstown’s scoring fluctuates slightly, especially in the final quarter. However, South Kingstown has proven to be resilient, often closing out games strong.

In terms of rebounds, West Warwick takes the lead with an average of 33.3 rebounds per game, compared to South Kingstown’s 29.8. The extra rebounds help West Warwick control the pace of games and limit second-chance opportunities for their opponents. Both teams are adept at stealing the ball, with South Kingstown averaging 9.3 steals per game compared to West Warwick’s 7.4.

Head-to-Head and Common Opponents

Looking at their performances against common opponents, South Kingstown has posted an 11-3 record against teams that West Warwick has faced, while West Warwick has gone 10-4 against the same competition. Notable matchups include a victory for South Kingstown over East Greenwich (61-49), while West Warwick lost to them by a narrow margin (61-55). South Kingstown also defeated Chariho and Westerly by comfortable margins, which bodes well for their momentum heading into future games.

West Warwick, however, has proven to be a formidable force, winning their matchups against teams like Narragansett (69-52) and Cranston West (64-57), showing their ability to handle tough competition.

Conclusion: A Tight Race for the Top Spot

As both teams approach the final stretch of the season, it’s clear that the battle between South Kingstown and West Warwick is one of the most exciting in Rhode Island high school basketball. With strong individual performances, balanced scoring, and a commitment to defense, these teams are well-equipped to go deep into the playoffs.

Fans can expect an intense and closely contested game when these two teams face off. Whether South Kingstown can capitalize on its home advantage or West Warwick will continue to outpace its opponents remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—this rivalry is heating up, and both teams are primed for success.