The Wilmington Christian Academy (Wilmington, NC) varsity basketball team will host a home conference game against Southside Christian (Clayton, NC) today at 7:30 PM.
Here’s what you need Basketball to know:
What: North Carolina High School Basketball
Who: Wilmington Christian Academy vs Southside Christian
When: Friday, January 10, 2025
Time: 7:30. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch Here
Southside Christian vs. Wilmington Christian Academy: A Mid-Season Comparison
As the 2024-2025 basketball season progresses, both Southside Christian and Wilmington Christian Academy have faced their share of challenges and triumphs, leading to intriguing comparisons between these two teams.
Overall Records and Performance
Southside Christian holds a 5-7 overall record, with a 1-4 conference record. Their performance at home has been a bit lackluster, with just one win and two losses. However, they’ve shown resilience in neutral-site games, recording a 4-2 record. The team has struggled in away games, with no victories in three attempts. Their points per game (PPG) stands at 37.4, while they’ve allowed an average of 56.6 points against them, which has contributed to their losing record.
On the other hand, Wilmington Christian Academy has had a solid season so far, boasting an 8-8 overall record and a perfect 4-0 in their conference. The team’s home court has been a fortress with an undefeated 4-0 mark, although their away games have been tougher (4-5). Wilmington’s scoring is significantly higher than Southside Christian’s, averaging 62.0 PPG, with a more comfortable average of 873 points scored and 873 points allowed.
Team Scoring & Stat Comparison
A key difference between these teams is their offensive firepower. Wilmington Christian Academy averages 62.0 points per game, more than 24 points higher than Southside Christian’s 37.4 PPG. The difference in scoring comes from their ability to perform in all four quarters. Wilmington outpaces Southside in every quarter, scoring 16.3 points in the first quarter alone, and continuing strong in the second (14.5 PPG), third (15.4 PPG), and fourth (15.4 PPG). Southside Christian, by contrast, has a more balanced but slower-paced game, with 7.5 PPG in the first quarter and a steady but lower total in subsequent periods.
In terms of team stats, Wilmington Christian excels in nearly every category. They average 61.6 points per game, compared to Southside’s 33.3. Rebounds per game show a significant disparity as well, with Southside grabbing 28.6 boards to Wilmington’s 20.9. Southside’s defensive capabilities, particularly in steals (11.6 per game), are stronger, but Wilmington’s superior scoring ability has often helped them pull away in games.
Individual Player Standouts
Both teams have key players contributing heavily to their respective efforts.
For Southside Christian, Luca Preciado is the standout performer. He leads the team in points (8.8 PPG), assists (2.1 APG), steals (2.8 SPG), and blocks (2.0 BPG). He is undoubtedly a focal point of the team’s strategy, but Southside has lacked enough consistent scoring elsewhere to turn close games into wins.
Wilmington Christian Academy, by contrast, is led by Trent Davies, who is averaging 19.0 points per game, the highest scorer among both teams. Supporting him is Maddox Batts, with 7.4 rebounds per game, and Jordan Escoffrey, who dishes out 3.9 assists per game. Wilmington has multiple players who contribute across the board, giving them a more balanced team overall.
Common Opponents
The two teams have faced several of the same opponents, and their records against these common teams provide more insight into their relative strengths. Southside Christian’s 1-3 record against common opponents contrasts sharply with Wilmington Christian Academy’s 4-1 performance.
For instance, Southside Christian defeated New Life Christian Academy 50-16 but struggled against Scotland Christian Academy (L 65-43) and Wilson Christian Academy (L 55-42). Wilmington, on the other hand, secured dominant victories against Scotland Christian Academy (W 75-30, W 88-40) and Wilson Christian Academy (W 66-52), showing their ability to handle tough competition.
The Road Ahead
Looking ahead, Southside Christian will need to improve its offensive efficiency and consistency in all four quarters. Their upcoming matchups against teams like Greenville Christian Academy and Bethel Christian Academy will be crucial if they hope to turn their season around.
Wilmington Christian Academy, on the other hand, appears poised to remain a formidable force in the conference. With a flawless 4-0 record in league play, they will look to maintain their dominance and improve on their away performance as they head into the second half of the season.
Conclusion
The battle between Southside Christian and Wilmington Christian Academy offers a compelling contrast in playing styles, with Wilmington’s potent offense contrasting against Southside’s gritty defense. As the season continues, both teams will need to adapt and sharpen their skills to succeed, with Wilmington Christian Academy holding the upper hand as of now. However, with key players like Preciado, Southside Christian will not be an easy team to defeat, and their upcoming matchups will be crucial in determining how their season unfolds.
