The Archbishop Riordan (San Francisco, CA) varsity basketball team will play a neutral playoff game against St. Ignatius College Preparatory (San Francisco, CA) on Friday, February 28, at 8 p.m.
Archbishop Riordan vs St. Ignatius College Preparatory Game Info:
What: California High School Basketball
Who: Archbishop Riordan (CA) vs St. Ignatius College Preparatory (CA)
When: Friday, February 28, 2025
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here
Game preview: Archbishop Riordan vs St. Ignatius College Preparatory
As the 2024-2025 high school basketball season nears its thrilling conclusion, two San Francisco teams—St. Ignatius College Preparatory (SICP) and Archbishop Riordan—are set for a highly anticipated neutral-site playoff game on February 28, 2025. With both teams showcasing remarkable records, this game promises to be an intense battle of skill, strategy, and determination.
Team Overview: St. Ignatius College Preparatory (SICP)
The SICP basketball team has had a solid season with an overall record of 20-7. Their league performance stands at 10-4, with a strong 10-2 record at home. Despite their competitive nature, the Wildcats have faced challenges on the road, posting a 7-2 record away and 3-3 in neutral site games. With a win percentage of .741 and a league win percentage of .714, the team has proven to be formidable, outscoring their opponents by a margin of 1,627 to 1,392 points. On average, the team scores 60.3 points per game, with their highest output coming in the fourth quarter (15.9 points per game).
Team Overview: Archbishop Riordan
Archbishop Riordan, with a near-perfect season, has dominated the competition with an impressive 26-1 record. They remain undefeated in league play at 14-0 and have been even more dominant on their home court, posting a perfect 13-0 record. Their overall win percentage of .963 and flawless league record reflect a team in peak form. In addition to their defense, which has limited opponents to just 1,091 points, the Crusaders have consistently scored with ease, averaging 71.0 points per game. Their offense is particularly strong in the second quarter (19.6 points per game) and in the third quarter (18.3 points per game), leading them to one of the most dominant seasons in recent memory.
Head-to-Head: A Dominant Performance by Archbishop Riordan
The most recent head-to-head matchups between these two teams highlight the dominance of Archbishop Riordan. In the first game on January 28, 2025, Archbishop Riordan cruised to a 73-30 victory over SICP. The game saw Archbishop Riordan outscore SICP in every quarter, with strong contributions from their entire team.
In the rematch on February 18, 2025, Archbishop Riordan again showed their superiority, winning 75-47. Despite a competitive start, the Crusaders broke open the game in the second and third quarters, outscoring the Wildcats 42-28 over those periods.
Common Opponents: A Shared Path
Both teams have faced off against several common opponents this season, with Archbishop Riordan maintaining an undefeated record against these teams (17-0), while SICP has posted a solid 14-3 record. These results highlight the contrasting consistency of the two teams. For instance, both teams defeated Junipero Serra, but Archbishop Riordan’s victories were even more commanding, with an average winning margin of 30 points in these games.
Looking Ahead: The Playoff Game on February 28, 2025
As the two teams meet in their neutral-site playoff game on February 28, the stakes couldn’t be higher. With Archbishop Riordan coming off a series of commanding victories and SICP hoping to regain momentum after two tough losses, the outcome of this game could have significant implications for their respective postseason runs. The Crusaders will look to continue their dominant form, while SICP will aim to pull off an upset and prove their worth against one of the top teams in the state.
Key Players to Watch:
- SICP: The Wildcats will need a strong performance from their top scorers and playmakers, especially in the latter stages of the game, where they’ve shown they can be a force.
- Archbishop Riordan: The Crusaders’ balance across all quarters and their ability to control the game early will be key to maintaining their perfect season.
Conclusion
As the season winds down, the matchup between St. Ignatius College Preparatory and Archbishop Riordan is poised to be one of the most exciting and unpredictable games of the year. Both teams have shown their strengths, but Archbishop Riordan’s impeccable record and depth make them the favorites heading into the game. However, SICP has the talent and determination to surprise, and if they can put together a complete game, they might just challenge the Crusaders’ dominance.
No matter the outcome, this game will be a true testament to the competitive spirit of high school basketball in the Bay Area. Fans can expect an intense, action-packed contest as these two storied programs collide on February 28.
