The Carmel (IN) varsity basketball team will play a home non-conference game against Marion (IN) on Friday, January 17, at 7:30 PM.
Carmel vs Marion Game Info:
What: Indiana High School Basketball
Who: Carmel (IN) vs Marion (IN)
When: Friday, January 17, 2025
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here
Game preview: Carmel vs Marion
As the 2024-2025 basketball season progresses, both Marion and Carmel have shown competitive prowess, with impressive records and standout performances. While both teams share a 6-4 overall record, their paths to this point differ in key areas, from scoring averages to individual player leadership.
Team Performance Breakdown
Marion has a slightly better overall win percentage at .600, tied with Carmel’s record but with a more dominant performance at home (5-1 compared to Carmel’s 2-2 home record). Marion’s away performance stands out, winning 5 of 6 games on the road. Carmel, on the other hand, has been notably stronger in neutral games, posting a 1-1 record while holding a solid 3-1 record in away games.
Both teams have shown resilience, but Marion’s consistent home advantage and strong away performance make them a formidable force in this season.
Scoring and Game Performance
When comparing the teams’ scoring averages, Marion averages 71.7 points per game (PPG), far outpacing Carmel’s 52.0 PPG. Marion’s offensive power is spread across the game, as they average 18.5 points in the first quarter and maintain a steady offensive output throughout the game, including 17.7 points in the fourth quarter. In contrast, Carmel’s scoring is more balanced but generally lower across each quarter, averaging just over 12 points in the first through fourth quarters.
Notable for Marion, Tim Jones leads the team in nearly every major category, scoring an impressive 19.9 points per game, 5.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 5.4 steals, and 0.7 blocks. This all-around performance positions Jones as a central figure in their offensive and defensive schemes.
Team Statistics Comparison
Looking at key statistical metrics, Marion excels across the board. They average 71.7 points per game, with solid contributions in rebounds (26.6 per game), assists (10.5), and steals (14.0). Carmel, though a more defensively oriented team, still maintains respectable averages in scoring and defense but lags behind in both points per game and rebounding. They average 26.6 points per game less than Marion, and while they are not far behind in terms of assists (10.5 for Marion), they fall short in defensive stats such as steals and blocks.
Head-to-Head vs. Common Opponents
When analyzing the teams’ performances against common opponents, Marion holds a 1-3 record, while Carmel has a 1-1 record. Marion faced tough losses to Hamilton Southeastern, Lawrence North, and Westfield, though they did manage an exciting win against Kokomo. Carmel’s performance against common opponents has been slightly more favorable, having earned a win over Kokomo and a close loss to Westfield.
This highlights Marion’s competitive spirit, though they will need to tighten up their defense against top-tier teams. Carmel’s closer contests could indicate a potential for growth as they head deeper into the season.
Conclusion
Both Marion and Carmel are strong teams in Indiana high school basketball, but Marion’s superior scoring ability, led by Tim Jones, positions them as the more dangerous offensive threat. With a balanced and high-scoring approach, they are capable of dominating opponents, especially at home and on the road. Carmel, meanwhile, will need to improve their scoring output to compete more effectively in tougher matchups. With a balanced schedule and solid defense, they could surprise teams in their remaining games. As these teams continue through the season, it will be interesting to see how their contrasting styles of play evolve and whether they can adjust to their opponents’ strengths.
