The Monache (Porterville, CA) varsity basketball team will play a neutral playoff game against Fresno Christian (Fresno, CA) on Friday, February 28, at 4:00 PM. This game is part of the 2025 Central Section Boys Basketball Championships – Division IV tournament.

Monache vs Fresno Christian Game Info:

What: California High School Basketball
Who: Monache (CA) vs Fresno Christian (CA)
When: Friday, February 28, 2025
Time: 4:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2025 Central Section Boys Basketball Championships – Division IV
Live stream: Watch here

Game preview: Monache vs Fresno Christian

As the 2024-2025 high school basketball season continues, Fresno Christian and Monache have established themselves as two of the most competitive teams in California. Each team has had a successful season, but how do they stack up against each other? Let’s dive into the stats, records, and key players to see how these two squads compare.

Overall Record and League Performance

Fresno Christian enters this season with an impressive overall record of 25-6, showcasing a strong performance in both league and non-league games. They went undefeated in their league play with a perfect 9-0 record, a testament to their dominance in conference competition. In comparison, Monache finished the season with a solid 20-11 record. While their league record of 8-2 is commendable, it’s slightly behind Fresno Christian’s perfect mark. Both teams showed resilience, with Fresno Christian’s 9-4 neutral-site record being particularly noteworthy.

Team Scoring Averages

Fresno Christian leads the charge in scoring, averaging 72 points per game, well ahead of Monache’s 61.2. Fresno Christian excels particularly in the first two quarters of their games, with an average of 17.0 points in the first quarter and 19.0 points in the second quarter, leading to strong early-game performances. Monache, on the other hand, has a more balanced scoring distribution, averaging 10.6 points in the first quarter, which increases slightly as the game progresses. While Monache’s scoring is steady, it is clear that Fresno Christian’s ability to put up big numbers early in the game gives them an advantage.

Statistical Comparison

When it comes to individual statistics, Fresno Christian also has the edge. The team averages 28.3 rebounds, 11.8 assists, 9.2 steals, and 1.9 blocks per game. Monache’s stats are solid, but they fall behind Fresno Christian in several key areas. Monache averages 28.3 rebounds, but their steals (9.2 vs. Fresno Christian’s 11.8) and blocks (1.9 vs. Fresno Christian’s 0.6) show the defensive prowess of Fresno Christian.

Key Players

Each team has standout players who drive their success.

• Fresno Christian:

  • Ty Baxter: The leading scorer for Fresno Christian with 19.9 points per game, showcasing his ability to take over games and lead the offense.
  • Gabriel Carbajal: A standout in multiple areas, Carbajal leads the team in rebounds with 8.2 per game and steals with 2.2. He’s a key defensive player and plays a crucial role in the team’s success.
  • Jaydan Garcia: With 2.4 assists per game, Garcia is the playmaker, orchestrating the offense and creating opportunities for his teammates.

• Monache:

  • Tyler Phillips: A consistent scorer for Monache, Phillips leads the team with solid all-around performances.
  • David Garcia: Garcia is key to Monache’s success on the defensive side, with an average of 2.6 rebounds per game and contributing to the overall team effort.

Common Opponents

Fresno Christian has had a perfect 4-0 record against common opponents, including victories over teams like Redwood, Mission Oak, and Sanger West. Monache, however, is 2-2 against the same teams. Notably, Fresno Christian secured dominant wins against teams like Redwood and Mission Oak, while Monache faced losses to Redwood and Mission Oak. However, Monache did come out on top in a nail-biting win over Sanger West, which is a notable achievement for the team.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Though the two teams haven’t faced each other directly this season, their performances against common opponents give Fresno Christian a slight edge. Fresno Christian’s perfect league record and strong performances against both league and non-league teams position them as one of the top teams in the section.

Conclusion

Fresno Christian and Monache both stand as formidable forces in their respective leagues, but Fresno Christian’s strong overall record, solid scoring ability, and defensive stats put them ahead. While Monache has demonstrated resilience and skill, particularly in tough games, Fresno Christian’s well-rounded team and offensive firepower make them a team to watch in the playoffs.

As the season progresses, both teams will continue to challenge each other and their competition, but at this point, Fresno Christian holds a slight advantage. Whether they can maintain their dominance or if Monache can find ways to close the gap remains to be seen.