The Greenfield-Central varsity basketball team (Greenfield, IN) will host a non-conference game against Rushville (IN) on Friday, January 3, at 7:30 PM.

Greenfield-Central vs Rushville Game Info:

What: Indiana High School Basketball
Who: Greenfield-Central (IN) vs Rushville (IN)
When: Friday, January 3, 2025
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here

Game preview: Greenfield-Central vs Rushville

The 2024-2025 basketball season has provided contrasting stories for the Rushville Lions and Greenfield-Central Cougars. As the season progresses, both teams have faced their respective challenges and triumphs, with Rushville struggling to find consistency, while Greenfield-Central has excelled both at home and on the road. Here’s an in-depth look at how the two teams compare based on their performance thus far.

Team Overview

Rushville Lions (2-7 Overall, 1-2 Conference)
The Rushville Lions have faced a tough season so far, managing only two wins out of nine games. With a win percentage of .222 overall and .333 within their conference, their efforts have often been overshadowed by their inability to close out games. On the offensive side, they average 34.6 points per game, with significant struggles during the first half, especially in the opening quarters. With an average of just 4.3 points in the first quarter, the team has consistently fallen behind early.

Greenfield-Central Cougars (7-2 Overall, 2-0 Conference)
In stark contrast, Greenfield-Central has enjoyed a strong campaign, posting a solid 7-2 record. Their win percentage of .778 overall and a perfect 1.000 in conference play demonstrates their dominance in their league. They average 69.0 points per game, showing offensive firepower in all quarters. Their balanced attack, scoring an average of 17.0 points in the first quarter alone, has allowed them to start games strong and maintain their lead throughout.

Scoring Breakdown and Key Players

While Rushville’s offensive struggles are clear, their star player, Clayton Chase, leads the team with an average of 9.3 points per game. He has also contributed significantly with 4.2 rebounds per game. However, with no other players stepping up to consistently contribute, Rushville has found it difficult to sustain offense across all four quarters.

Greenfield-Central, on the other hand, relies heavily on Braylon Mullins, whose impressive average of 34.8 points per game makes him one of the top performers in the league. Mullins also contributes in other areas, grabbing 8.2 rebounds per game and dishing out 4.4 assists. His well-rounded game has made him a formidable force for the Cougars.

Team Comparisons: Offense and Defense

Rushville’s Offensive Struggles
Rushville averages just 34.6 points per game, with their highest-scoring quarter being the fourth, where they net an average of 12.0 points. They have not been able to generate consistent offense, and their overall low scoring reflects their difficulty in finishing games.

Greenfield-Central’s Balanced Attack
The Cougars, in contrast, have a dynamic offense, scoring 69.0 points per game. They average over 16 points in each of the first three quarters, allowing them to build early leads. Their consistency in scoring across all periods of play has been a hallmark of their success.

Defensive Statistics
Defensively, Rushville averages 19.2 rebounds per game and 3.6 steals per game. They also block an average of 0.8 shots per game. However, their defensive efforts have not been enough to keep opposing offenses in check, as they give up an average of 404 points for the season.

Greenfield-Central’s defense is also strong, with 26.1 rebounds per game and 11.1 steals per game. Additionally, they average 1.9 blocks per game, demonstrating their ability to defend both in the paint and on the perimeter. Despite allowing 499 points across their games, their defense has been efficient enough to support their high-scoring offense.

Common Opponents

Rushville and Greenfield-Central have shared a few opponents this season, with their records against them painting a clear picture. Both teams played against Shelbyville, with Rushville losing 54-29 on November 27, 2024, while Greenfield-Central defeated Shelbyville 74-44 on December 21, 2024. This result highlights the disparity between the two teams’ current levels of play.

In another common matchup, Rushville faced Lawrenceburg and suffered a 45-31 loss on December 20, 2024, while Greenfield-Central triumphed 74-44 against the same team. This indicates that while both teams have faced similar opponents, Greenfield-Central has been able to perform at a much higher level.

Record Breakdown: Rushville vs. Greenfield-Central

• Rushville: 2-7 overall, 1-2 in conference play, 0-4 at home, 2-3 away.
• Greenfield-Central: 7-2 overall, 2-0 in conference play, 4-0 at home, 1-0 away, 2-2 in neutral-site games.

Greenfield-Central has been especially dominant in home games, where they remain undefeated. Their performance on the road has been solid as well, and they will look to maintain this strong form as they head into the latter stages of the season.

Conclusion

As the 2024-2025 season continues, it’s clear that Rushville has a long way to go to find consistency and improve their play, especially offensively. Their struggles in the early parts of games and their inability to hold onto leads have hindered their success. In contrast, Greenfield-Central has showcased a high level of play, led by standout Braylon Mullins. With their offensive depth, solid defense, and ability to perform in all quarters, the Cougars look poised to be a dominant force in the remainder of the season.

Rushville will need to make adjustments quickly, especially with upcoming matchups against tough opponents, while Greenfield-Central will look to continue their impressive form and push for further success in both conference and non-conference play.