The Central McLean (Turtle Lake-Mercer/Underwood/McClusky) varsity basketball team, based in Turtle Lake, ND, will host a home non-conference game against New England (ND) today at 6 p.m.

Game Details:

• Matchup: New England vs. Central McLean (CO-OP)
• Date: Saturday, January 18, 2025
• Time: 6 p.m.
• Live stream: Watch Here
• Live stream: Watch Here

A Closer Look at the New England and CML (Co-op) Basketball Teams

As the 2024-2025 basketball season unfolds, the New England and CML (Co-op) teams have had their fair share of ups and downs. Let’s dive into their records, performance, and how they’ve fared against common opponents.

Team Overview

New England (24-25)
The New England team has had a challenging start to the season. With an overall record of 2-4, they’ve struggled both in their league and non-league games. In district play, they are 1-3, showing their difficulties when facing local rivals. However, New England has found some success on their home court, going 1-0 in games played at home. Despite these setbacks, the team has managed to score an average of 46.2 points per game, though they have allowed 350 points so far this season. Their overall win percentage stands at .333, and their district win percentage is at .250, which indicates the challenges they face in competing at a high level.

CML (Co-op) (24-25)
On the other hand, CML (Co-op) has been enjoying a stronger season with a 6-2 overall record. They’ve been particularly dominant in district play, where they are undefeated at 1-0. Their performance in non-league games has been solid as well, with a 4-2 record. One of the highlights for CML (Co-op) is their balanced offense, averaging 68.8 points per game while giving up 406 points. With a win percentage of .750 and a perfect district win percentage of 1.000, CML (Co-op) appears to be in strong form as they move further into the season.

Comparing Scoring Averages

Both teams have had their own approaches to scoring this season. New England has averaged 46.2 points per game, while CML (Co-op) has been more productive, averaging 68.8 points per game. This significant difference in scoring highlights CML (Co-op)’s offensive strength, which has likely been a key factor in their better win-loss record.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced some common opponents this season, providing a valuable comparison for how each team measures up.

• Flasher:
  New England took on Flasher on January 10, 2025, but suffered a 66-57 defeat. Meanwhile, CML (Co-op) played Flasher on December 13, 2024, and came out victorious with a 70-57 win.
• New Salem:
  New England will face New Salem on January 25, 2025, while CML (Co-op) will meet them one day earlier, on January 24, 2025. These games could give further insight into how each team performs against the same opponent.
• Grant County Co-op:
  New England will take on Grant County Co-op on February 14, 2025. In contrast, CML (Co-op) will face the same team on February 6, 2025. These matchups could be pivotal for both teams, with CML (Co-op) having a strong record so far.
• Center-Stanton:
  New England will play Center-Stanton on February 20, 2025, and CML (Co-op) will meet them on January 28, 2025. This will be another key test for both teams, especially with CML (Co-op)’s strong record.

Breakdown by Venue

• Home Games:
  New England has shown some strength at home with a 1-0 record, while CML (Co-op) is also undefeated at home with a 1-0 record.
• Away Games:
  New England has struggled on the road, with a 0-2 record, while CML (Co-op) has been dominant on the road, boasting a 3-0 record.
• Neutral Site Games:
  New England has a 1-2 record in neutral site games, while CML (Co-op) has a more balanced 2-2 record.

Looking Ahead

Both teams have important matchups ahead. New England will need to overcome their difficulties in district play and improve their overall performance if they hope to turn around their season. For CML (Co-op), the challenge will be to maintain their strong form, especially as they face off against tough opponents like New Salem, Grant County Co-op, and Center-Stanton.

In the end, the season is far from over, and both teams have plenty of basketball left to play. Fans of New England and CML (Co-op) will be hoping to see their respective teams grow and improve as the competition heats up in the coming weeks.