As the 2024-2025 high school basketball season wraps up, the performances of O’Connor and Basha have stood out in Arizona’s competitive landscape. Both teams have had impressive seasons, but a closer look at their records, scoring averages, and head-to-head matchups reveals some key differences and similarities that make this rivalry even more intriguing.

Team Records & Rankings

O’Connor finished the season with an overall record of 19-8, boasting a 6-2 region record. Their success has been marked by a strong home record of 10-3, but they struggled away, finishing 9-1 at home compared to a disappointing 0-4 neutral site record. Their overall win percentage stands at an impressive .704, with a region win percentage of .750. The team has scored 1,842 points, while conceding 1,587 points over the course of the season.

Basha, on the other hand, posted a 20-7 overall record and a 5-3 region record. Their standout feature was a dominating 13-2 home record, while their away record was just as strong at 5-1. However, their neutral site record of 2-4 has been a bit of a weak spot. Basha’s overall win percentage sits at .741, with a region win percentage of .625. Their total points scored is 1,875, slightly outscoring O’Connor, with 1,600 points allowed.

Team Scoring Averages

Both teams have shown offensive prowess, but they score in different ways. O’Connor averages 17.5 points in the first quarter, 13.5 in the second, 16.5 in the third, and 19.3 in the fourth, culminating in a final average of 68.2 points per game. They are known for finishing strong, with the most points scored in the final quarter.

Basha, meanwhile, averages 15.9 points in the first quarter, 17.6 in the second, 19.1 in the third, and 15.9 in the fourth. This adds up to a total of 69.4 points per game. They score consistently throughout the game, with the highest output coming in the third quarter. This indicates a well-balanced offensive strategy that adapts as the game progresses.

Head-to-Head Matchups

The two teams share a 3-2 record when facing common opponents, which includes some of Arizona’s most competitive schools. Their performance against common opponents shows that both teams have similar levels of success, although O’Connor edged out victories in some key matchups, including wins against Pinnacle and Hamilton.

Basha also had its fair share of success, particularly with notable victories against Hamilton and Pinnacle, but they did face losses to teams like Redondo Union and Notre Dame.

Home vs. Away Performance

Both teams had notable home court advantages, but Basha’s record at home (13-2) outshines O’Connor’s (10-3). When looking at away games, O’Connor managed an impressive 9-1 record, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure, while Basha finished 5-1 away from home, maintaining a solid record in tough environments.

When it comes to neutral site games, both teams showed vulnerabilities. O’Connor had a 0-4 record in neutral games, suggesting struggles when not playing on their home court. Basha also experienced difficulties, finishing with a 2-4 neutral site record, indicating that both teams have room to improve in these high-pressure games.

Playoff Performance

Both teams have proven themselves in the playoffs, with each securing a 2-0 record in post-season play. Their playoff performances will be crucial in determining which team advances further in the state tournament.

Conclusion

While both O’Connor and Basha have had strong seasons, with similar records and solid performances against common opponents, Basha edges out O’Connor slightly with a better overall win percentage and a higher average points scored. However, O’Connor’s consistency at home and its ability to close out games in the final quarter shows that they are a force to be reckoned with, especially when playing in familiar territory.

With both teams finishing strong in the region and looking forward to the playoffs, this rivalry will undoubtedly continue to captivate fans throughout the remainder of the season.