The Merrillville (IN) varsity basketball team will play a home conference game against Crown Point (IN) on Friday, January 17, at 7 p.m.
Merrillville vs Crown Point Game Info:
What: Indiana High School Basketball
Who: Merrillville (IN) vs Crown Point (IN)
When: Friday, January 17, 2025
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here
Game preview: Merrillville vs Crown Point
As the 2024-2025 basketball season progresses, Crown Point and Merrillville have showcased contrasting performances, with Crown Point standing out as an undefeated powerhouse, while Merrillville struggles to find consistent success.
Crown Point’s Dominance
Crown Point, with an impeccable 9-0 record, has proven itself as one of the most formidable teams in the state. Currently ranked second in its class in Indiana, the team boasts an undefeated conference record (1-0) and is flawless both at home (3-0) and on the road (3-0). Their dominance is further highlighted by their impressive scoring average of 70.7 points per game, with strong performances in each quarter. The Bulldogs’ offensive strategy shows a balanced attack, averaging 17 points in the first quarter, 14 in the second, 14 in the third, and 12 in the fourth.
The Crown Point offense is powered by standout players like Charles Hardiman, who leads the team with 19.3 points per game. Hardiman, along with teammates like Kelvion Brown, who contributes 6.3 rebounds per game, and Aidan Dilosa, who dishes out 3 assists and collects 1.8 steals per game, has made Crown Point a tough team to beat. Their defense, which averages 7.1 steals and 2.5 blocks per game, has been equally important in their undefeated run.
Merrillville’s Struggles
On the other hand, Merrillville has faced a more challenging season. With a 3-9 overall record and a dismal 0-2 mark in conference play, they sit at the bottom of their league. Merrillville has struggled to keep up with their opponents, averaging just 55.9 points per game. Their scoring drops off significantly in comparison to Crown Point, with only 12.5 points per quarter in the first half, and a surge in the final two quarters to end with 17.8 in the fourth.
Merrillville’s individual performances have not been enough to elevate the team. Despite solid contributions from players like Charles Hardiman, Merrillville has yet to find a consistent winning formula. The team has shown resilience, with a high scoring game in a close win over Hammond Morton, but they’ve faced defeat in several tough matchups, including losses to top-tier teams like South Bend Washington, Andrean, and Portage.
Comparing Head-to-Head and Common Opponents
Looking at their records against common opponents, Crown Point has had a perfect 4-0 record, defeating teams such as Penn, East Chicago Central, Munster, and Michigan City. In contrast, Merrillville has only been able to secure two wins in their 7 games against the same teams. This further highlights the disparity between the two teams this season.
For instance, while Crown Point comfortably defeated Penn 66-46, Merrillville will face Penn on February 28 and will look to redeem themselves. Similarly, Crown Point beat East Chicago Central 80-54, while Merrillville was on the losing side in their 75-65 defeat.
Looking Ahead
Crown Point will continue to be a force to reckon with, with several home and away games ahead, including matchups against tough teams like Chesterton, La Porte, and South Bend Washington. They will aim to maintain their undefeated streak and perhaps even clinch a top seed in the playoffs.
For Merrillville, the road ahead is one of rebuilding and trying to close the gap. They’ll have to bounce back from tough losses and find ways to capitalize on their matchups, especially against teams they have already faced. The next few weeks will be critical for Merrillville, as they try to turn their season around.
Conclusion The 2024-2025 boys’ basketball season has showcased the disparity between two neighboring schools, Crown Point and Merrillville. While Crown Point continues to build on its undefeated record and dominance, Merrillville is still searching for answers to turn their season around. Only time will tell if Merrillville can improve and whether Crown Point can keep its momentum heading into the postseason.
