The Central McLean (Turtle Lake-Mercer/Underwood/McClusky) varsity basketball team, based in Turtle Lake, ND, will host New Salem (ND) for a home conference game today at 7:30 p.m.

Game Details:

• Matchup: New Salem @ Central McLean (CO-OP)
• Date: Friday, January 24, 2025
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Live stream: Watch Here
• Live stream: Watch Here
• Location: Turtle Lake, ND

New Salem vs. CML (CO-OP): A Season Comparison and Analysis

As the 2024-2025 high school basketball season progresses, both New Salem and CML (CO-OP) have had their share of challenges and triumphs. Let’s dive into a comparison of their performance, looking at team records, scoring averages, head-to-head matchups, and overall trends in this engaging season.

Team Records & Performance

New Salem’s basketball team has faced some ups and downs this season with an overall record of 3-7. They’ve been particularly challenged in their district play, holding a 1-4 record within their league. Their overall win percentage stands at a modest .300, with a district win percentage of .200. The team has scored a total of 560 points and conceded 601, indicating struggles on both ends of the court.

On the other hand, CML (CO-OP) has been dominating with a solid 8-2 record. Their district performance is flawless, winning all 2 district games they have played, and boasting an impressive 4-0 record in away games. Their overall win percentage stands at .800, and they’ve scored a remarkable 683 points while allowing only 489, showcasing their offensive prowess and solid defense.

Team Scoring Averages

When comparing scoring averages, CML (CO-OP) outperforms New Salem by a considerable margin. New Salem has averaged 56.0 points per game, while CML (CO-OP) has averaged 68.3 points. The difference in scoring output reflects the efficiency and power of CML (CO-OP)’s offense.

Head-to-Head Performance

Looking at common opponents, New Salem and CML (CO-OP) have faced several teams in the same matchups, but with differing results. New Salem has posted a 2-5 record against common opponents, while CML (CO-OP) has been perfect with a 4-0 record. Notable games include:

• New Salem vs. Grant County Co-op (December 17, 2024): New Salem came out victorious, winning 70-56, while CML (CO-OP) is yet to face Grant County this season.
• New Salem vs. White Shield (December 29, 2024 and January 4, 2025): Both games ended in losses for New Salem (59-52), while CML (CO-OP) defeated White Shield 72-47 in their January 14, 2025 matchup.
• New Salem vs. Wilton/Wing (January 14, 2025): New Salem lost 80-49, a stark contrast to CML (CO-OP)’s win over Wilton/Wing earlier in the season.

While New Salem has struggled against common opponents, CML (CO-OP) has been consistent in their victories, showing dominance in their matchups.

Record Breakdown

New Salem:

• Overall Record: 3-7
• District Record: 1-4
• Home Record: 1-3
• Away Record: 2-3
• Neutral Record: 0-1
• Common Opponents Record: 2-5

CML (CO-OP):

• Overall Record: 8-2
• District Record: 2-0
• Home Record: 2-0
• Away Record: 4-0
• Neutral Record: 2-2
• Common Opponents Record: 4-0

CML (CO-OP)’s superior record across all categories—district, home, away, and neutral—speaks volumes about their consistency and effectiveness throughout the season.

Upcoming Games

For New Salem, there are still plenty of opportunities to improve their season. Key upcoming games include matchups against teams like New England and Center-Stanton. CML (CO-OP) also has an exciting set of games ahead, including their February 6, 2025, matchup against Central McLean and a highly anticipated game against Washburn on February 13, 2025.

Conclusion

While both teams have faced varying degrees of success this season, CML (CO-OP) has clearly shown themselves to be the stronger team, both in terms of overall record and performance against common opponents. New Salem, however, still has the potential to bounce back and improve as the season progresses. The contrast between these two teams highlights not just the difference in win-loss records, but also the ongoing competition for dominance in their district and beyond.