The Mattoon (IL) varsity basketball team will play a home conference game against Mt. Zion (IL) on Friday, December 20, at 8 p.m.

Mattoon vs Mt. Zion Game Info:

What: Illinois High School Basketball
Who: Mattoon (IL) vs Mt. Zion (IL)
When: Friday, December 20, 2024
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Where: Mattoon High School
Live stream: Watch here

Game preview: Mattoon vs Mt. Zion

As the high school basketball season heats up, two teams from Illinois are set to clash: Mt. Zion and Mattoon. Both teams bring different records and momentum to the table, making this an intriguing match-up.

Team Performance Overview

Mt. Zion (24-25)

Mt. Zion enters this game with an impressive 9-0 record, dominating both in and out of conference play. The team has displayed consistency, especially on the road, where they have managed a perfect 4-0 record. Overall, their win percentage stands at a flawless 1.000, with an equally strong 1.000 conference win rate. On average, they score 62 points per game and have shown balanced offensive power throughout the game, with scoring averages of 17.0 in the first quarter, 15.7 in the second, 16.2 in the third, and 13.1 in the fourth.

Mattoon (24-25)

In contrast, Mattoon has struggled this season, recording a 2-8 overall record. They are 0-2 in conference games and have not won a home game, going 0-4 at their home court. Their overall win percentage is a mere .200, and they have yet to secure a win in conference play, going 0-2. Offensively, they score an average of 59.1 points per game, with their first quarter struggles being evident at just 8.0 points per game. Their scoring progressively improves in the later quarters, but it has not been enough to overcome their defensive issues.

Head-to-Head and Common Opponents

The upcoming game on December 20, 2024, sees Mt. Zion traveling to Mattoon for a crucial conference showdown. The head-to-head record between these teams stands at 4-0 in favor of Mt. Zion. Mt. Zion has performed well against their common opponents, winning all four matchups, while Mattoon has struggled against the same teams, going 0-3. Some of the notable common opponents include Springfield, Mahomet-Seymour, Richland County, and Taylorville.

Looking at their previous results:

• Mt. Zion has defeated Springfield (59-46), Mahomet-Seymour (54-42), Richland County (51-40), and Taylorville (68-50).
• Mattoon has suffered losses to Mahomet-Seymour (82-74), Richland County (56-47), and Taylorville (score pending).

The contrast between the two teams is stark, with Mt. Zion showing dominance in both offense and defense, while Mattoon has struggled to secure victories.

Upcoming Games and Outlook

Mt. Zion’s confidence will be high going into the game against Mattoon, especially considering their strong performance on the road and their unblemished record. With several upcoming games on their calendar, including matchups against Charleston and Effingham, Mt. Zion will be aiming to continue their undefeated run.

Mattoon, on the other hand, faces a difficult road ahead. With no conference wins and a tough stretch against teams like Springfield and Taylorville, they will need to improve significantly in both offense and defense if they are to turn their season around.

The February 14, 2025 game, where Mattoon travels to Mt. Zion, could provide a different dynamic, but with the current form and statistics, Mt. Zion remains the favorite.

Conclusion

As the teams prepare for their December 20 meeting, all signs point to Mt. Zion continuing their dominant run. Their balanced scoring and defensive prowess give them an edge over a struggling Mattoon team. However, Mattoon will look to play spoilers, hoping that home-court advantage can give them the boost they need. Fans can expect an exciting contest, but Mt. Zion’s perfect record makes them the team to watch in this match-up.