The Rock Island (IL) varsity basketball team will host DeKalb (IL) in a non-conference game on Friday, January 3 at 7:00 PM.
Rock Island vs DeKalb Game Info:
What: Illinois High School Basketball
Who: Rock Island (IL) vs DeKalb (IL)
When: Friday, January 3, 2025
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Rock Island Fieldhouse
Live stream: Watch here
Game preview: Rock Island vs DeKalb
As the high school basketball season heats up, two teams have emerged as notable contenders in Illinois: DeKalb and Rock Island. While both squads have impressive records, their paths to success have been markedly different, setting the stage for a compelling showdown.
Team Records and Performance
DeKalb (24-25 Season Record)
- Overall Record: 5-4
- Conference Record: 2-1
- Home Record: 4-1
- Away Record: 0-1
- Neutral Record: 1-2
- Win Percentage: .556
- Conference Win Percentage: .667
- Points For (PF): 505
- Points Against (PA): 439
DeKalb’s season has been characterized by solid play at home, where they have managed a strong 4-1 record. However, they have struggled on the road, dropping their lone away game. Their scoring has been relatively balanced across quarters, with a notable surge in the third quarter, where they average 17 points.
Rock Island (24-25 Season Record)
- Overall Record: 13-1
- Conference Record: 4-0
- Home Record: 7-0
- Away Record: 2-0
- Neutral Record: 4-1
- Win Percentage: .929
- Conference Win Percentage: 1.000
- Points For (PF): 935
- Points Against (PA): 643
Rock Island has had a dominant season, boasting an impressive 13-1 overall record. They are undefeated in conference play and have yet to lose a home or away game. With a high-powered offense averaging nearly 67 points per game, Rock Island has consistently outpaced their opponents.
Scoring Averages by Quarter
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final Avg. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DeKalb | 9.7 | 6.7 | 17.0 | 12.7 | 56.1 |
| Rock Island | 16.0 | 20.0 | 15.0 | 23.0 | 66.8 |
Rock Island demonstrates a clear advantage in offensive consistency, especially in the second and fourth quarters, where they average 20 and 23 points, respectively. DeKalb, on the other hand, shows significant improvement in the third quarter but struggles to maintain that momentum throughout the game.
Common Opponents
Both teams have faced Metea Valley this season, with contrasting results:
- Rock Island defeated Metea Valley on December 27, 2024, with a score of 65-58.
- DeKalb has an upcoming matchup against Metea Valley on February 19, 2025.
Record Breakdown
| Category | DeKalb (24-25) | Rock Island (24-25) |
| Overall | 5-4 | 13-1 |
| League | 2-1 | 4-0 |
| Non-League | 1-1 | 2-0 |
| Home | 4-1 | 7-0 |
| Away | 0-1 | 2-0 |
| Neutral | 1-2 | 4-1 |
| In-State | 5-3 | 12-1 |
| Out-of-State | 0-1 | 1-0 |
Rock Island’s dominance is evident across all categories, particularly in conference and non-league play. DeKalb, meanwhile, has shown resilience, especially at home, where they have won four out of five games.
Keys to Victory
- For DeKalb: The key will be maintaining consistency throughout all four quarters. Their third-quarter scoring surge shows their potential, but they need to avoid slow starts and weak finishes against a team as offensively potent as Rock Island.
- For Rock Island: Rock Island’s strategy will revolve around continuing their offensive dominance and exploiting DeKalb’s road struggles. If they can control the tempo and capitalize on their scoring depth, they should maintain their winning momentum.
Conclusion
As DeKalb and Rock Island prepare to face off, all eyes will be on whether DeKalb can rise to the occasion and challenge the high-flying Rock Island squad. With contrasting styles and records, this matchup promises to be an exciting battle of skill, strategy, and endurance on the hardwood.
