Holiday Cheer for APA Hoops: Strong Seasons for Boys and Girls Varsity Heading Into 2025
Holiday Cheer for APA Hoops: Strong Seasons for Boys and Girls Varsity Heading Into 2025
As the holiday break approaches, both the boys' and girls' varsity basketball teams at Arendell Parrott Academy are heading into the festive season with reason to celebrate. After a series of strong performances this season, both squads have shown significant improvement over last year’s struggles, setting the stage for what could be their best campaigns in recent memory.
Girls Varsity: A New Era of Success
Under the leadership of first-year head coach Garrett Blackwelder, the Lady Patriots are making noise in a big way. At 8-3, they’ve already surpassed last year’s dismal 5-17 record and are quickly positioning themselves for a potential breakout season. After an impressive 6-0 start, the Lady Patriots faced a bit of a dip, going 2-3 in their last five contests, but there’s no question this team is trending in the right direction.
Offensively, the improvement is clear. The Lady Patriots are averaging 42.7 points per game, a major jump from last season’s 28.4. But it’s their defense that’s truly turned heads. Allowing just 27.7 points per game, they’ve drastically improved from last year’s 38.8 points allowed. Two of their three losses have come by a combined three points, highlighting just how competitive this team has become.
Key Players to Watch:
Caroline Stocks (#3): 10 points per game
Sydney Myers (#13): 9 points per game
Anna Grace Briley (#14): 5 points per game
With the holiday break ahead, the Lady Patriots will look to reset and return to action in 2025, ready to keep pushing for a top finish. Their first challenge after the break will be Greenfield, and if they can continue to build on their strong foundation, they could be a force to be reckoned with.
Boys Varsity: Turning the Corner
The boys' varsity team, like their female counterparts, has also shown marked improvement this season. At 9-2, the Patriots are already far ahead of last year’s 5-18 record, and they’re riding high after a seven-game win streak to close out the first half of their season. This team, under first-year head coach Landry Gainey, is firing on all cylinders and showing signs of being a serious contender.
The Patriots are pushing for their first winning season in six years, and the numbers back up their ambitions. The offense has exploded, averaging 54.8 points per game — a huge jump from last year’s 41.9. On defense, they’ve become much more disciplined, allowing just 47 points per game, down from 57 last season.
Key Players to Watch:
Chase Jones (#11): 19.2 points per game (up from 8.6 last year)
Fletcher Jones (#5): 11 points per game (up from 8.4 last year)
Thatcher Whaley (#2) and Landon Johnston (#12): Each contributing 6 points per game (a significant improvement from 2 ppg last season)
Coach Gainey knows the importance of the holiday break, stressing the need for mental and physical recovery: “It’s important for these guys to take some time off. Mentally and physically, we’ve done a lot.” When the team returns to action in 2025, they’ll take on Greenfield in their first game back, looking to extend their impressive win streak and continue their quest for a winning season.
Looking Ahead: The Patriots Are Just Getting Started
Both the boys' and girls' teams at Arendell Parrott Academy have more than exceeded expectations as they head into the holiday break. With a combination of strong individual performances and improved team play, both squads have set the stage for an exciting second half of the season. When play resumes in 2025, the Lady Patriots and Patriots will be looking to continue their upward trajectory and push for a spot in the postseason. The best may still be yet to come.
