The 2024-2025 high school basketball season in Illinois has brought an exciting matchup between two undefeated teams: Downers Grove North and Nazareth Academy. Both teams are showing dominant performances on the court, and their records suggest that this game will be an exciting test for both.

Team Overview: Downers Grove North (6-0)

Downers Grove North is off to an exceptional start this season, holding a perfect 6-0 record. They have been a dominant force in both conference and non-conference games. The team boasts a powerful offense, averaging an impressive 47.7 points per game. This is led by star player Campbell Thulin, who has been scoring at a blistering pace with 20.2 points per game, contributing significantly to the team’s success. Thulin also leads the team in rebounds, pulling down 6.0 per game.

The team’s scoring is well-distributed, with strong performances across all four quarters. Downers Grove North shows consistency, scoring 15.5 points in the first quarter and maintaining a steady offensive pace through to the final buzzer. Their defense has also been effective, with an average of 9 steals per game, ensuring they have a balanced approach on both ends of the floor.

Team Overview: Nazareth Academy (5-1)

On the other side, Nazareth Academy has a 5-1 record, with their only loss coming earlier in the season. Like Downers Grove North, they have displayed strong offense and a balanced team effort. Nazareth Academy has an impressive offensive output, averaging 58.7 points per game, led by their dynamic scoring and fast-paced offense. They also show a strong finish in the later quarters, particularly in the fourth quarter, where they score 20 points on average.

Though their team statistics are slightly lower than those of Downers Grove North in terms of points per game and steals, their overall consistency and ability to finish strong in close games will make them a formidable opponent.

Key Players to Watch

For Downers Grove North, Campbell Thulin will be the key player to watch, with his scoring and rebounding abilities being crucial to the team’s success. Thulin’s contributions on defense, including 2.8 steals per game, will also be vital in containing Nazareth Academy’s offensive threats.

On the Nazareth Academy side, while there isn’t a standout scorer listed, their ability to work as a team with a balanced scoring attack and late-game success is something to keep an eye on. They will need their players to step up during crunch time and prevent Downers Grove North from pulling away.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced York this season, with Downers Grove North earning a hard-fought 43-39 win on December 3, 2024. Nazareth Academy is set to face York in January, making this common opponent a key point for comparison. Downers Grove North also has an upcoming matchup with Lincoln-Way West, which Nazareth Academy will face later in the season.

Head-to-Head Matchup

As of now, there has been no official head-to-head competition between the two teams, but both squads have shown their ability to dominate their respective schedules. With their records and the quality of their performances so far, this matchup will be a thrilling contest that fans will not want to miss.

Looking Ahead

Both teams are on track for strong seasons, and this showdown will likely have significant playoff implications down the line. With Downers Grove North’s undefeated record and Nazareth Academy’s high-powered offense, this game promises to be a thrilling battle for supremacy in Illinois high school basketball. Fans can expect an exciting, competitive matchup filled with high-energy plays and outstanding performances from the star players.

As the season progresses, all eyes will be on these two teams as they aim to secure top spots in the state rankings and make a run at the championship.