The Benton (IL) varsity basketball team will play a home conference game against Anna-Jonesboro (Anna, IL) on Friday, December 20 at 7:30 p.m.

Benton vs Anna-Jonesboro Game Info:

What: Illinois High School Basketball
Who: Benton (IL) vs Anna-Jonesboro (IL)
When: Friday, December 20, 2024
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here

Game preview: Benton vs Anna-Jonesboro

The Benton Rangers are set to face off against the Anna-Jonesboro Wildcats in a highly anticipated conference basketball game on Friday, December 20, 2024, at 7:30 PM. The game will be held at Benton’s home court and promises to be an exciting clash between two teams with contrasting early-season performances.

Current Team Records and Standings

• Benton Rangers (7-0 overall, 2-0 conference): Benton has been dominating this season with an undefeated record, boasting a perfect 2-0 record in conference play. The Rangers are coming off a solid win earlier this month against Anna-Jonesboro (62-32) and have shown strong offensive and defensive play. With an impressive average of 63.9 points per game, Benton has established itself as a powerhouse.
• Anna-Jonesboro Wildcats (3-4 overall, 0-1 conference): Anna-Jonesboro has faced some struggles, particularly in conference play, where they are still looking for their first win. Their current record stands at 0-1 in the conference, with a 3-4 mark overall. They have averaged 51.9 points per game but will need to step up both offensively and defensively to challenge Benton on their home turf.

Head-to-Head Matchup

The Rangers have already defeated the Wildcats this season in a neutral-site tournament game on December 5, 2024, by a commanding 62-32 scoreline. This dominant victory highlighted Benton’s well-rounded team play and depth, as they held Anna-Jonesboro to just 32 points. Anna-Jonesboro will be hoping to bounce back and avenge this early-season loss in what promises to be a tough road test.

Key Statistics

• Benton Scoring Breakdown:
  • 1st Quarter: 14.0 points
  • 2nd Quarter: 14.5 points
  • 3rd Quarter: 13.5 points
  • 4th Quarter: 15.0 points
  • Overall Average: 63.9 points per game
• Anna-Jonesboro Scoring Breakdown:
  • Overall Average: 51.9 points per game

Benton’s consistent scoring across all four quarters gives them a significant edge in terms of offensive balance. In comparison, Anna-Jonesboro will need to find ways to improve its scoring efficiency, especially in the latter stages of games, to close the gap.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced some common opponents this season, with Benton holding a perfect 5-0 record against these teams, including wins over hard-hitting squads like Goreville and Harrisburg. Meanwhile, Anna-Jonesboro has a 2-3 record against the same opponents, demonstrating some struggles against stronger teams. These results further suggest that Benton enters the game as the clear favorite.

What to Expect

The Benton Rangers are in excellent form, especially at home, where they remain undefeated (4-0). Their defense, which has allowed just 271 points in their seven games, should be able to contain the Wildcats’ offense. On the other hand, Anna-Jonesboro will be eager to prove themselves on the road after a rough start to the season. Their ability to improve on defense and find more scoring options will be key to their chances of upsetting the Rangers.

This game will be a test for both teams. While Benton looks to maintain its perfect record and continue its dominance in the conference, Anna-Jonesboro hopes to regroup and start climbing up the standings.

Looking Ahead

After this game, Benton will look to continue their perfect run, with another home game on December 26 against Hamilton County. Anna-Jonesboro, meanwhile, will try to regroup and improve their overall record with future matchups against teams like Harrisburg and Nashville. Both teams will meet again on February 7, 2025, in Anna for the second leg of their conference series.

Friday’s game is shaping up to be an exciting one, with Benton aiming to remain undefeated and Anna-Jonesboro looking for a critical bounce-back performance.