The Dow (Midland, MI) varsity basketball team will host Powers Catholic (Flint, MI) for a home conference game today at 7 p.m.

Game Details:

• Matchup: Powers Catholic (PCHS) vs. Dow
• Date: Friday, January 10, 2025
• Time: 7:00 p.m.
• Location: HH Dow High School
• Live stream: Watch Here

Powers Catholic vs. Dow: A Clash of Basketball Titans

The basketball season has been heating up in Michigan, and the competition between Powers Catholic and Dow is one of the most anticipated matchups this year. With strong records, impressive individual performances, and high stakes, both teams are on the hunt for dominance in the state. Let’s take a closer look at the two programs, their season so far, and how they compare.

Powers Catholic: A Perfect Start to the Season

Powers Catholic has been unstoppable this season, finishing with a perfect 9-0 record as of January 2025. The team has shown incredible depth and consistency, winning across various settings—home, away, and neutral venues. Their offensive firepower is a major highlight, averaging an impressive 73.4 points per game.

Key Players:

• Jesse Cull (#13) has been a standout performer, averaging 16.8 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. His ability to both score and control the boards makes him a central figure in the team’s success.
• Javontae Ross (#1) leads the team in assists, averaging 7.3 per game, contributing significantly to the team’s ball movement and offensive flow.
• Danny Wolak (#15) and Tyler Wood (#22) have also made their mark with strong defensive performances, averaging 2.1 steals and 0.8 blocks per game, respectively.

Their 9-0 record includes notable victories over teams like Flushing (69-59) and Mt. Pleasant (79-68). Powers Catholic’s league record stands at 1-0, and they have proven dominant in non-league games with an 8-0 record. With such a potent mix of offense and defense, Powers Catholic is one of the favorites to go far in the postseason.

Dow: Consistency and Strong Playoff Hopes

Dow, while not as undefeated as Powers Catholic, has been a solid performer with a 7-3 record so far this season. Their win percentage stands at .700, with a .750 league win percentage, making them a tough contender. Dow’s offense averages 57.3 points per game, which, while not as high as Powers Catholic’s, still gets the job done.

Key Players:

• Javontae Ross (#1) leads Dow with 7.3 assists per game, showcasing his ability to orchestrate the offense effectively.
• Dow’s defense is led by Danny Wolak (#15) with 2.1 steals per game, contributing significantly to their defensive prowess.
• The team also has several other players contributing on both ends of the floor, including strong scoring and rebounding from key contributors.

Notable victories for Dow include wins over Flushing (52-37), Midland (53-45), and Central (63-37). Their league record of 3-1 and strong non-league performance with a 4-2 record demonstrate a well-rounded team capable of competing with anyone in Michigan.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced off against several of the same opponents, giving us some insight into how each performs against similar competition. Powers Catholic has a perfect 2-0 record against common opponents, while Dow holds a 4-1 mark.

Some key games:

• Flushing: Powers Catholic won 69-59, while Dow defeated Flushing 52-37.
• Mt. Pleasant: Powers Catholic triumphed 79-68, while Dow lost 51-44 in a close contest.
• Central: Powers Catholic will meet Central later this season, while Dow defeated them 63-37 earlier in December.

With both teams facing off against each other’s shared opponents, it will be interesting to see how each stacks up when the stakes get higher.

Head-to-Head and Record Breakdown

Looking at their season records, Powers Catholic has clearly been the more dominant team overall. With a 9-0 record and perfect league performance (1-0), they have proven to be one of the top teams in the state. On the other hand, Dow’s 7-3 overall record and 3-1 league record demonstrate that they are certainly no slouch.

Both teams boast impressive home and away records, with Powers Catholic being perfect on the road (2-0) and at home (4-0), while Dow has a strong away record of 4-1. Additionally, Powers Catholic’s superior points per game (73.4 compared to Dow’s 57.3) gives them the edge in offensive play.

Looking Ahead: A Promising Future

As the season progresses, both Powers Catholic and Dow are setting themselves up for potentially deep runs into the playoffs. With a blend of star players, deep rosters, and solid team play, this season’s basketball action promises plenty of excitement. Fans can expect high-octane games and thrilling finishes as these two teams continue to build their legacies in Michigan basketball.

In their upcoming games, both teams have key matchups that could further shape their season. Dow will face some critical challenges, and Powers Catholic will look to continue their perfect season. Fans should be ready for what is sure to be an intense and unforgettable stretch of basketball.

For now, the spotlight is on Powers Catholic as the undefeated powerhouse, but Dow is always lurking as a formidable threat, and with several exciting matchups ahead, it’s anyone’s game. Stay tuned for what promises to be a thrilling finish to this basketball season!