The White River (SD) varsity basketball team will host St. Francis Indian (St. Francis, SD) for a home non-conference game on Friday, January 31, 2025, at 1:00 PM.

Matchup Information:

• Teams: St. Francis Indian (SFIHS) vs. White River
• Date: Friday, January 31, 2025
• Time: 1:00 PM
• Location: White River, SD
• Live stream: Watch Here
• Live stream: Watch Here

St. Francis Indian vs. White River Basketball: A Tale of Two Seasons

The basketball season has brought contrasting narratives for the St. Francis Indian and White River varsity teams, as their performances reveal significant gaps in records, statistics, and recent head-to-head results. With an upcoming non-conference game on January 31, the two teams are poised for another matchup that could either reinforce St. Francis Indian’s dominance or give White River a chance at redemption.

Season Records and Standings

• St. Francis Indian:
  • Record: 6-4
  • Region Record: 1-2
  • Home: 2-1
  • Away: 1-1
  • Neutral: 3-2
  • Win Percentage: .600
• White River:
  • Record: 3-9
  • Region Record: 2-1
  • Home: 1-1
  • Away: 1-3
  • Neutral: 1-5
  • Win Percentage: .250

St. Francis Indian’s consistent performance has placed them 44th in their class, compared to White River’s 126th. Their win percentages (.600 for St. Francis Indian vs. .250 for White River) underscore a significant disparity in results.

Recent Matchup

The last meeting between these teams on December 18 was a one-sided affair, with St. Francis Indian cruising to an 80-45 victory. The game highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of both teams:

• St. Francis Indian:
  • Scored heavily across all four quarters, with a particularly dominant fourth quarter (24 points).
  • Key Players: John Gunhammer led the charge, supported by Mackenzie Wike’s assists and Kenyon McCloskey’s defensive efforts.
• White River:
  • Started strong with a 15-point first quarter but struggled to maintain offensive output, scoring only 4 points in the final period.

Statistical Comparison

• Team Averages:
  • St. Francis Indian:
    • Points Per Game: 65.1
    • Rebounds Per Game: 24.1
    • Assists Per Game: 12.9
    • Steals Per Game: 5.5
    • Blocks Per Game: 1.4
  • White River:
    • Points Per Game: 48.6 (based on game scoring data).

St. Francis Indian’s offense, led by standout scorer John Gunhammer (15.4 PPG), has been significantly more productive than White River’s. White River has struggled to find consistent offensive rhythm, with its average final-quarter output at just 8.5 points.

Common Opponents

Both teams share mixed results against common opponents:

• St. Francis Indian holds a narrow victory against Wall (70-68), while White River lost to Cheyenne-Eagle Butte (65-44).

Players to Watch

• St. Francis Indian:
  • John Gunhammer (15.4 PPG) has been a consistent offensive leader.
  • Roger Roether III dominates on the boards with 6.1 RPG.
  • Mackenzie Wike contributes in multiple areas, averaging 4.0 assists and 1.6 steals per game.
• White River:
  • While individual statistics are less prominent, White River will need a collective effort to improve scoring and defensive intensity.

Game Preview: January 31

The upcoming game at White River offers an opportunity for the home team to regroup and attempt to reverse their previous loss. For St. Francis Indian, the challenge will be maintaining their momentum on the road and exploiting their statistical advantages. Based on current trends, St. Francis Indian enters as the clear favorite, but White River’s home-court advantage and determination to bounce back could set the stage for a closer contest.

Will St. Francis Indian continue their dominance, or can White River rally for an upset? Basketball fans will find out on January 31.