The Westhope/Newburg (Westhope, ND) varsity basketball team will play a home non-conference game against Bottineau (ND) today at 4 PM.
Matchup Details:
- Teams: Bottineau vs WNHS (CO-OP)
- Date & Time: Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, at 4 PM
- Live stream: Watch Here
- Live stream: Watch Here
Team Comparison: Bottineau vs. Westhope/Newburg
As we head into the midseason of the 2024-2025 basketball season, Bottineau and Westhope/Newburg are two teams to keep an eye on. Both teams have had an interesting journey thus far, with varying results and standout performances. Here’s a detailed look at how these two teams compare, their records, key players, and what to expect as they progress through the season.
Team Records
Bottineau (24-25)
- Overall Record: 5-5
- Home: 2-2
- Away: 1-1
- Neutral: 2-2
- Win Percentage: .500
- Points For (PF): 602
- Points Against (PA): 638
Bottineau’s season has been a mix of highs and lows, with an even .500 win percentage. Despite a strong offensive showing, averaging 60.2 points per game, their defense has been a concern, as they’ve allowed 638 points in total. Their record indicates a team that is still finding its rhythm but capable of competitive play.
Westhope/Newburg (24-25)
- Overall Record: 7-2
- District Record: 2-1
- Home: 2-0
- Away: 5-2
- Win Percentage: .778
- District Win Percentage: .667
- Points For (PF): 720
- Points Against (PA): 484
In contrast, Westhope/Newburg has had a strong season so far, with a win percentage of .778. Their offensive game has been high-powered, averaging 80 points per game, and their defense has been solid, allowing just 484 points. This combination has helped them maintain a successful run, particularly in district play, where they hold a 2-1 record.
Team Scoring Averages
| Quarter | Bottineau | Westhope/Newburg |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 16.0 | 21.6 |
| Q2 | 18.0 | 24.3 |
| Q3 | 24.0 | 22.2 |
| Q4 | 16.0 | 11.9 |
| Final | 60.2 | 80.0 |
Bottineau’s scoring is relatively balanced across quarters, but they tend to struggle the most in the fourth, scoring only 16 points on average in the final period. Westhope/Newburg, on the other hand, starts strong with consistent high scoring in the first three quarters but sees a dip in the fourth, which could be a point of concern for their overall performance in close games.
Team Stat Comparison
| Stat | Bottineau | Westhope/Newburg |
|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 60.2 | 79.8 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 33.2 | 33.2 |
| Assists Per Game | 19.9 | 19.9 |
| Steals Per Game | 12.2 | 12.2 |
| Blocks Per Game | 2.9 | 2.9 |
Both teams share a solid performance in rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks, with an average of 33.2 rebounds per game and 19.9 assists per game. Their defensive capabilities are matched, with each team averaging 12.2 steals per game. However, Westhope/Newburg’s higher points per game and slightly better overall scoring have given them an edge in games this season.
Team Leaders
Bottineau:
- Points Per Game: Walker Braaten (27.3)
- Rebounds Per Game: Hunter Tolstad (9.1)
- Assists Per Game: Will Artz (4.6)
- Steals Per Game: Walker Braaten (3.7)
- Blocks Per Game: Walker Braaten (1.1)
Westhope/Newburg:
- Points Per Game: 27.3 (Walker Braaten)
- Rebounds Per Game: Hunter Tolstad (9.1)
- Assists Per Game: Will Artz (4.6)
- Steals Per Game: Walker Braaten (3.7)
- Blocks Per Game: Walker Braaten (1.1)
Walker Braaten has been the standout player for Bottineau, leading the team in scoring, steals, and blocks, which has made him a formidable presence on the court. His performance will be critical in the second half of the season as Bottineau looks to improve their record.
Common Opponents
Both teams have faced some of the same opponents this season, providing an opportunity for comparison. Here’s a look at how they fared against shared teams:
- Velva: Bottineau lost 93-90, while Westhope/Newburg won 83-64.
- Kenmare/Bowbells: Bottineau won 72-53, while Westhope/Newburg won 89-48.
- North Prairie Co-op (Rolla/Rolette): Bottineau won 54-46, while Westhope/Newburg has a future matchup.
- Hazen: Bottineau won 63-61, while Westhope/Newburg defeated Hazen 85-40.
- Mohall/Lansford/Sherwood: Bottineau is set to play, while Westhope/Newburg has a future match.
- Turtle Mountain: Bottineau will play soon, while Westhope/Newburg won 102-71.
Overall, both teams have performed well against similar competition, but Westhope/Newburg’s stronger win record against some of these opponents highlights their current form.
Looking Ahead
As the season progresses, Bottineau will need to tighten up defensively and improve their consistency in the final quarters to capitalize on their strong offensive play. Meanwhile, Westhope/Newburg’s high-powered offense, paired with solid defense, will continue to make them a tough opponent in their district and beyond.
Both teams are evenly matched in some key stats, but Westhope/Newburg’s higher scoring average and better overall record make them slight favorites for the remainder of the season. The showdown between these two teams will be one to watch as they fight for positioning in their respective districts and prepare for potential playoff runs.
