The Canton (IL) varsity basketball team will host a conference game against Metamora (IL) on Friday, January 31, at 7 PM.
Canton vs Metamora Game Info:
What: Illinois High School Basketball
Who: Canton (IL) vs Metamora (IL)
When: Friday, January 31, 2025
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here
Game preview: Canton vs Metamora
As the high school basketball season progresses, the Metamora Redbirds and the Canton Little Giants are set to face off once again in an exciting conference matchup on Friday, January 31, at 7 p.m. With both teams looking to secure another win, let’s break down their current standings, previous performances, and what to expect from this upcoming contest.
Team Performance Overview
Metamora Redbirds (20-5, 8-1 Conference)
Ranked 15th in their class, Metamora has demonstrated dominance in both conference and non-league play. They have an impressive .800 overall win percentage and a stellar .889 record in conference matchups.
- Home Record: 7-0
- Away Record: 6-2
- Neutral Record: 7-3
- Points For (PF): 1,501
- Points Against (PA): 1,340
The Redbirds have maintained a strong offensive presence, averaging 60.0 points per game. They have particularly excelled in the fourth quarter, averaging 20.2 points, showing their ability to close out games effectively.
Canton Little Giants (9-13, 1-8 Conference)
Canton has struggled in conference play, winning just one of their nine matchups. Their overall win percentage stands at .409, with a conference win percentage of .111.
- Home Record: 2-4
- Away Record: 2-6
- Neutral Record: 5-3
- Points For (PF): 1,073
- Points Against (PA): 1,158
Despite their struggles, Canton has had strong second and third quarters, averaging 18.0 and 20.5 points respectively. However, their performance in the fourth quarter has been a concern, where they average just 11.0 points.
Head-to-Head & Previous Matchup
The last time these two teams faced off was on December 17, when Metamora dominated with a 73-47 victory. Given their strong performance against Canton in their previous matchup, Metamora will be looking to repeat history.
Common Opponents Performance
A look at their records against common opponents further highlights Metamora’s edge:
- Metamora: 7-1
- Canton: 1-7
Metamora has consistently outperformed Canton against teams like Washington, Morton, Pekin, Limestone, East Peoria, and Dunlap. This indicates that Metamora has been more competitive across the board.
Key Factors to Watch
- Metamora’s Late-Game Execution – With a strong fourth-quarter scoring average, the Redbirds will likely look to close out the game in dominant fashion.
- Canton’s Mid-Game Surge – If Canton can sustain their strong second and third quarters while improving their fourth-quarter execution, they could make this a competitive game.
- Defensive Play – Canton has allowed an average of 1,158 points this season, which could be a vulnerability Metamora seeks to exploit.
Game Prediction
With a strong record, superior conference performance, and a decisive victory in their last meeting, Metamora enters this game as the clear favorite. Canton will need to play one of their best games of the season to pull off an upset, but given their struggles against common opponents, Metamora is expected to secure another win.
