The statistics for the Perry boys basketball team are, as one would expect for a team off to an 0-9 start, unpleasant to review.
The Bluejays are at, or near, the bottom of Class 3A in most offensive categories, with the team facing per game deficits, on average, of 74-24.
The team has struggled mightily to put the ball in the basket and had scored only 92 points in the 18 quarters of the first halves of their games, almost without exception leading to continuous clock situations after each intermission.
The Jays have had bright moments, and have displayed a willingness to play hard, even in the face of lopsided results. Perry is averaging nearly 25 rebounds, per contest and has shown some stinginess, at times, on defense.
However, the ball must be put in the basket, and the Jays have struggled mightily, shooting only 84-of-279 (30.1 percent) from the floor, a clip that includes 13-of-61 from behind the 3-point line.
The team has been woeful at the free throw line, converting just 34-of-95 at the foul stripe, a miserly 35.8 percent clip.
Mohamed Abdelnabi has scored 65 points to pace Perry, hitting 10-of-30 3-pointers. The rest of the team is a combined 3-of-31 beyond the arc.
Keghan West has provided 41 points and 62 rebounds, with Abdelnabi snaring 49 caroms.
Perry resumes play Friday with a visit to Ballard. A trip to Boone is on tap for Jan. 8, with the team hosting Bondurant-Farrar Jan. 11. The trio of games will complete the first rotation of Raccoon River Conference play. Perry is 0-4 in RRC action so far this season.
