The Highland varsity basketball team (Pocatello, ID) will host a home conference game against Madison (Rexburg, ID) on Friday, January 17, at 7:30 PM.
Highland vs Madison Game Info:
What: Idaho High School Basketball
Who: Highland (ID) vs Madison (ID)
When: Friday, January 17, 2025
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here
Game preview: Highland vs Madison
With the conference season in full swing, basketball fans are gearing up for an exciting matchup between the Madison Bobcats and the Highland Rams. The game, scheduled for Friday, January 17 at 7:30 p.m. in Pocatello, ID, is expected to be a thrilling contest. Here’s a detailed preview of both teams based on their current performance, rankings, and head-to-head history.
Team Overview
Madison Bobcats
- Record: 10-1 overall, 1-0 in conference play
- Home Record: 4-0
- Away Record: 2-0
- Neutral Record: 4-1
- Winning Percentage: 90.9%
- Conference Winning Percentage: 100%
- Points For (PF): 730
- Points Against (PA): 555
The Madison Bobcats are having an impressive season, boasting a dominant 10-1 overall record and remaining unbeaten in conference play. They’ve shown strong offensive capabilities, averaging 69.0 points per game, with their highest-scoring quarters being the second (17.0 points) and third (16.2 points). Their defense has also been solid, holding opponents to 555 points across their 11 games.
Highland Rams
- Record: 4-7 overall, 1-1 in conference play
- Home Record: 4-2
- Away Record: 0-4
- Neutral Record: 0-1
- Winning Percentage: 36.4%
- Conference Winning Percentage: 50%
- Points For (PF): 535
- Points Against (PA): 584
The Highland Rams have had a challenging season so far, with a 4-7 overall record and a 1-1 split in conference games. Despite their struggles on the road, they’ve performed well at home, winning four out of six games. Highland’s scoring average stands at 48.6 points per game, with their best performance typically coming in the fourth quarter, where they average 13.0 points.
Head-to-Head History and Common Opponents
This will be the first meeting between Madison and Highland this season, with another game scheduled for February 5 in Rexburg, ID.
When comparing performances against common opponents, Madison has a clear advantage with a 4-0 record, while Highland holds a 3-4 record. Notably, Madison secured dominant wins against Skyline (72-30) and Pocatello (75-34), whereas Highland struggled more in those matchups, including a narrow 54-49 loss to Pocatello.
Notable Games Against Common Opponents:
- Skyline: Madison defeated Skyline 72-30, while Highland won 56-46.
- Pocatello: Madison recorded a decisive 75-34 victory, whereas Highland lost 54-49.
- San Pedro: Madison triumphed 74-61, while Highland fell 61-59 in a close contest.
- Canyon Ridge: Madison beat Canyon Ridge 62-43, while Highland managed a narrower 50-45 victory.
Key Factors to Watch
- Madison’s Offensive Consistency: Madison’s high-scoring offense will be a significant challenge for Highland’s defense. If the Bobcats can maintain their scoring averages, they’ll have a strong chance of winning.
- Highland’s Home Court Advantage: Despite their overall struggles, Highland has been competitive at home. If they can capitalize on this advantage, they might be able to upset Madison.
- Defensive Performance: Highland will need to tighten their defense to slow down Madison’s offensive momentum. Limiting second-quarter and third-quarter scoring will be crucial.
- Closing Out Games: Highland’s strength in the fourth quarter could play a key role, especially if they manage to keep the game close heading into the final period.
Prediction
Given Madison’s current form, offensive firepower, and strong record against common opponents, they enter this matchup as clear favorites. However, Highland’s resilience at home cannot be underestimated. If Highland can improve their defensive effort and capitalize on their home court, they could make it a closer game than expected.
Projected Score: Madison 68, Highland 55
Basketball fans should mark their calendars for what promises to be an exciting game in Pocatello. Will Madison continue their dominant run, or can Highland pull off a home upset? We’ll find out on Friday night!
