The Loyola Academy varsity basketball team (Wilmette, IL) will host a home conference game against Chicago Mt. Carmel (Chicago, IL) on Friday, January 24, at 6:30 PM.
Loyola Academy vs Chicago Mt. Carmel Game Info:
What: Illinois High School Basketball
Who: Loyola Academy (IL) vs Chicago Mt. Carmel (IL)
When: Friday, January 24, 2025
Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here
Game preview: Loyola Academy vs Chicago Mt. Carmel
As the high school basketball season progresses, Chicago Mt. Carmel and Loyola Academy are shaping up as two competitive teams in Illinois, each with unique strengths and challenges. Here’s an in-depth look at their performances, key players, and potential outcomes based on their current rankings and records.
Season Performance and Rankings
- Chicago Mt. Carmel boasts an impressive 18-3 overall record, securing a .857 winning percentage. Despite their dominance overall, their conference record stands at 2-2, reflecting some struggles in league play.
- Loyola Academy, with a 16-6 record, holds a .727 winning percentage. Like Mt. Carmel, their 2-2 conference record shows room for improvement against their toughest competitors.
In terms of state rankings, Chicago Mt. Carmel ranks 9th in Class 3A, while Loyola Academy stands at 47th in Class 4A, underscoring a significant gap in their relative standings.
Scoring and Statistical Insights
Team Averages
- Chicago Mt. Carmel averages a robust 65.7 points per game, driven by consistent scoring across all quarters.
- Loyola Academy trails with a 48.0 points per game average, struggling particularly in the second and third quarters.
Key Team Stats
Chicago Mt. Carmel outshines Loyola Academy in almost every statistical category:
- Rebounds Per Game: 31.8 vs. unknown
- Assists Per Game: 10.7 vs. unknown
- Steals Per Game: 9.2 vs. unknown
- Blocks Per Game: 1.7 vs. unknown
This dominance suggests a more well-rounded and aggressive approach by Mt. Carmel, which could be pivotal in head-to-head matchups.
Team Leaders
For Mt. Carmel, standout performances come from:
- Cameron Thomas (#5): Leading with 18.8 points per game.
- Grant Best (#3): Dominating rebounds (10.0 per game) and steals (3.4 per game).
- Noah Mister (#2): Contributing 2.9 assists per game.
Loyola Academy’s stats for team leaders remain undisclosed, but their lower scoring averages hint at fewer standout individual performances compared to Mt. Carmel.
Common Opponents: A Comparative Analysis
Analyzing games against shared opponents reveals a stark contrast:
- Chicago Mt. Carmel: An 8-2 record with notable wins, including a dominant 73-33 victory over Taft and an 80-49 rout of Saint Ignatius College Prep.
- Loyola Academy: A 4-4 record, including losses to Lake Forest and New Trier, teams Mt. Carmel managed to defeat.
This disparity underscores Mt. Carmel’s ability to handle familiar opponents more effectively.
Home and Away Records
- Mt. Carmel’s balanced performance includes a 5-1 home record and a 4-1 away record.
- Loyola Academy demonstrates strong home court advantage (8-5) and a respectable 5-1 away record, making them a formidable opponent on the road.
The Outlook
Mt. Carmel’s well-rounded offense, supported by standout players like Cameron Thomas and Grant Best, gives them a significant edge over Loyola Academy. Their higher scoring average, stronger common-opponent performance, and superior team stats position them as the likely favorites in a head-to-head matchup.
However, Loyola Academy’s resilience, as reflected in close conference games and their ability to capitalize on home court advantage, cannot be underestimated. Their 3-0 neutral court record suggests they thrive under high-pressure situations, which could make for an exciting contest should these teams meet in postseason play.
Prediction
If these two teams face off, expect a competitive game where Mt. Carmel’s offensive firepower and depth might prove too much for Loyola Academy to overcome. Final score prediction: Mt. Carmel 68, Loyola Academy 54.